#akira making food for friends who stop by leblanc and its like. what if i exploded

[samarecharm]

Love that Ann and Ryuji both love food and bond w Akira over food…something about it is so sweet to me. The ramen shop, the crepes, the hotel buffet, the afternoon diner hangouts, the attic hotpot…Ann making the hotpot suggestion; Ryuji showing u his favorite hole in the wall restaurant…all the thieves enjoying the local restaurants and food in strikers; Akira making the leblanc curry and coffee for teammates, and Akira getting volunteer help to cook restorative food for the team….i just love it alot. I want you to eat bc i want you to be well, i want us both to be well.

[atticinthecafe]

its 1 am and I wanted to write before I headed off to bed. this jumps around a lot time wise and I did not proof read it I'm ti r e d

---

The first time Akira did this Morgana nagged at him the whole time.

---

"Joker! You've been wandering around the city for hours," Morgana whined from inside the bag, shifting around.

Akira just hummed in response. His eyes were distant and foggy, constantly trained on the distance. Sometimes they would scan across the crowds, almost like he was looking for someone, but for the most part he just seems dazed, lost in thought. He kept walking, the twists and turns memorized by the back of his hand, simply wandering. Sometimes he'd end up on a train to some other area, but he just wandered all the same.

"When are we going home? I'm bored!" Morgana complained, this time getting a bit louder.

This seemed to break Akira from his thoughts, as he frowned looking at his bag where Morgana sat.

"I can talk you home if you want," He spoke low, just to his cat, in a neutral tone. It was hard to tell what was on his mind.

"Yes! wait- you're going to keep walking?"

"Mhm,"

"I'm not leaving you on your own! I'll just tough it out then! But we better get food sometime soon!"

---

Morgana hadn't really known why he was wandering, but to be fair, neither did he.

He had his hand shoved into a pocket, holding the glove he had gotten from his rival and walked around the city, watching the scenery and the people go past as he drifted. It was different now. He had been doing this for weeks. Just- walking around.

Orginally he had no clue why he did it. Something weighed on him, made him feel heavy. He zoned out during conversations and stared into space. Morgana suggested maybe fresh air and a walk would help refresh his senses, but it just ended in him wandering.

He needed the space, to be away from people. He also needed away from his thoughts, but that wasn't so easy. The city provided a nice distraction. Different things to think about. But that didn't stop the soft lull of sadness from weighing down his head.

He missed Akechi if he was being honest. He didn't notice it. But it was like a low hum in the back of his heart. Invisible stress making him tired when he hadn't done anything. It haunted him and didn't leave him be.

---

Morgana at some point had mentioned how when cats lose a friend or someone they care about they'll wander around, meowing and crying out for the other.Akira wondered if Morgana had been talking about him when he brought it up.

Today he had left Morgana with Futaba. The fog in his head and weight in his chest had gotten worse the past week. He hadn't known why until Ryuji mentioned it was around the same date they had met Akechi.

Incredible how his subconscious refused to let go.

The rain pattered against his umbrella as he walked and puddles gently splashed beneath his feet. It was nice to get rain in June. He certainly didn't mind it. It gave the city a softer, calmer feel. It almost felt like the rain took some of his weight with it when it fell.

---

Akira was fine most days. He seemed normal. Almost like he had moved on, but there were some where he simply disappeared out the front door, and everyone knew. They knew he still missed Akechi, no matter how many times they told him he shouldn't.  They knew he needed space for a bit.

The one time they made him stay it was obvious how he was stressed without realizing it. He fidgeted awkwardly and didn't participate in conversation. He seemed like he wasn't there at all and when spoke to he'd look up confused and obviously off in his own world.

Sometimes they would intentionally tell him to take a walk. He'd get shaky and tense for no reason. Seem more irritable and quiet than usually. Not handle loud noises or being around people well. This is when his friends would step in and tell him maybe he should go for a walk to calm his nerves. Sometimes it would take him getting frustrated over something small and all his stress breaking like a dam for the others to take notice, in which case they'd quiet down and all pause to take care of him. Whether it be one of them going on a walk with him, or the group settling down to bundle up in blankets and form a small pile as they watched movies together.

He wished it would stop. The days where he was stressed without realsing it and dazed. The days where he felt like the slightest thing going wrong would cause him to start sobbing and he didn't know why. The days where he missed Akechi.

He wasn't even certain if he was alive.

---

It had been a few years. Akira was better. He was managing better. But he still suddenly disappeared for walks. Some nights he wouldn't sleep at all and instead wandered.

It had been one of those nights, and now here he was, head resting on the counter of Leblanc well Sojiro huffed at him in the background. Something about going upstairs to sleep and not staying up so late.

He didn't move though, and Sojiro didn't seem to mind. There was something calming about the atmosphere. It was warm and the chattering of the TV in the background provided comfort in it's own way.

He couldn't sleep, as much as he wanted to the stress tugged at his brain keeping him just awake enough to be unable to sleep but not awake enough to bypass his exhaustion. So he just sat there, soaking in the smell of coffee and the peaceful air.

---

A ring sounded from the door, and Akira didn't bother looking up, staying where he was.

That was until he heard a soft, almost amused hum as a chair besides him was dragged out from its spot, someone sitting besides him. His eyes flickered open and up to meet red ones, gazing at him fondly.

The time passed in sections, one moment he has his head on the table, next he knew Akira was a crossed from the man, getting started on his favorite cup of coffee, pressing his glove back into his hand with tears pricking at his eyes. Then he was brewing coffee. A conversation between them was happening but- he didn't hear it. It made his chest warm and light, the lightest it had felt it years.

He placed the coffee infront of the other with a smile. He could feel the pure, unfiltered love and happiness just to be able to hear his voice again rush through his body with every word the man spoke.

He hummed softly as the other pressed their hands together, the warmth filling his body yet lingering just where he touched him.

---

His heart felt raw.

Akira blinked open his eyes to Sojiro leaving. To the once warm comforting room feeling cold and bitterly lonely. The warmth that lingered on his hand feeling almost like a bitter sting.

He lifted his head up to find tears streaming down his face and his sleeves damp from where he had been resting his head.

Of course, it was just a dream.

His fingers found their way into his pocket, and he gripped the glove tight. His chest was nothing but raw pain that you would have figured he would have gotten over by now.

He just wanted to see him again.

---

The next few days were incredible low for Akira. He spent most of them asleep.

Dreams were incredible tantalizing now. The fact that occasionally, he would see Akechi again in them made them feel more worth while than reality sometimes.

It was lonely.

He spent a long time asleep that week. More than he should have, but he couldn't help it. The sting in his chest was hard to bare.

---

Akira laughed.

It was the fullest his chest had felt in a while. No longer that haunting hollow that followed him around from day to day.

He was still moving on, he still occasionally had days where he would wander. But they were less now.

The warmth that filled his chest when his friends smiled, the brightness in their eyes and the lightness to their tone when they said the stupidest jokes made the lonely fade.

He had forgotten how good they make him feel.

There was a bittersweet taste left in his mouth when he thought about Akechi. How he should get to feel the same warmth Akira did. How he deserved so much more than the cards he was handed, but Akira didn't linger on that. He couldn't. He had to move forwards.

Akechi would probably call him stupid for staying stuck on him so long. He would say how he shouldn't waste the life he has thinking about someone who killed him. How if anything he should be glad he finally won. There was no more rivalry to be had. But Akira still had to disagree.

Akira took every step as a challenge to be better. He spent the days trying to improve, telling himself that he couldn't fall behind now. He couldn't disappoint the rival he loved so dearly by stopping just because it was over.

He figured if Akechi ever did return, he'd give him a real challenge. If he met Akechi again he wanted to be someone he could respect, someone he could challenge and find worth challenging. He wanted to keep the rivalry alive in his own little way. It was just a promise in his own mind he had to keep. And he couldn't do that with a hurting chest, so he indulged in the moments surrounded by friends, with laughter in the air.

He would do his best to continue, just to prove that he could. He wouldn't forget Akechi, he didnt think he could, but he wouldn't fall behind because of him.

---

When the day was late and the sky had turned shades of orange Akira was left cleaning up Leblanc, making sure everything was ready for business tomorrow.

It had been a while since he had finally realized that he had moved forwards, but he was still making progress with each day.

He leaned back onto a shelf, letting out a soft satisfied hum as he relaxed for the day.

Then the bell on the door rung.

Then a familiar voice spoke, and Akira had to make sure this wasn't a dream.

"I hope I haven't come in too late for a cup of coffee Kurusu, I was hoping we could catch up,"

[stargazer-balladeer]

What kind of boyfriend are they? [Persona]

Characters Included: Akira Kurusu, Akechi Goro, Yosuke Hanamura, Yu Narukami, Minato Arisato & Shinjiro Aragaki

Note: I'm mixing Persona 3, 4 & 5! :3 Except all of them are my fav characters (HUSBANDOS—) ahem. Anyway. I hope ya'll enjoy this :3 (This is over 500+ words... whOOPS--)

Reader’s Gender: Neutral

Warning: Spoilers

Akira Kurusu

-Akira is the kind of boyfriend that teases the heck out of you. Like he loves to fluster you so much from embarrassment, whether from kissing you in public or simply holding your hands. He'll have that smirk on his face, its always present. (You're wondering if it's permanent though—)

-But I can also see Akira as the guy who loves someone, really loves that one (aside from the fact that he dates multiple girls in the game—). The reason why he teases you is because he loves you, and for that reason, when he finds that you are close to fainting or uncomfortable, he'll stop teasing you. He doesn't want you fainting or uncomfortable around him!

-He's also a natural romantic guy. Like he'll give you flowers and gifts (or trinkets he found). He wants to spoil you so much but he has limited money, so he resorted to small gifts and trinkets that reminded him of you. Your dates consist of staying at the LeBlanc, enjoying the cafe itself or inside the attic (i.e: his room).

-He loves affection so much, but not because he's touch-starved, he simply just loves you so much (yes, I'll say it over and over again :3). If you want cuddles, then cuddles you get. No matter where, but I think he prefers it private since, you know, his reputation? He just doesn't want to affect your reputation because of his ;-; But kisses, on the other hand, he can do it even in public, he has no shame -3- He'll even leave a kiss on you for teasing purposes (and to see your flustered self). He'll just laugh at your reaction, finding every reaction you have is cute on you. (He also has a picture of you as his wallpaper in his phone :) and his friends knows it since he shows it to them.. he's so proud and in-love with you :3)

-But if you don't like or uncomfortable of affection or him touching you, he understands. He'll always ask permission before holding you or kissing you. He respects your privacy and comfort more than his own. If you find uncomfortable, then he'll find a way for it to make it comfortable with you.

-I can see Akira giving his s/o a piggyback-ride, no matter whether you weigh heavily or just right (but if you weigh very lightly, he'll be concerned). He really doesn't mind your weight at all (he likes to say you don't weigh a lot). I can also see him as a domestic guy, he learned how to cook (thanks to Sojiro) and learned to take care of animals (Morgana, lol).

-He's protective of you. If you're in the Phantom Thieves, double-protectiveness over you activated. He just doesn't want you to get hurt ;-; He's scared of losing you in the Metaverse. So if an attack is directed at you, he'll get the hit. If you get hit while he isn't paying attention (probably coming up a strategy), after the battle, he'll immediately patch you up or go to a nearby resting place. And I can also see the rest of the Team also being protective of you :3

-Akira is also observant about you, even if he doesn't look like it. So he knows immediately when you're upset or uncomfortable. In which case, he'll drag you away from the source immediately. Leaving that person dumbfounded.

-If you feel sad about something, the actions of Akira would depend on how severe your sadness or situation is (though they are still similar to one another). Did someone talk bad about you? Don't worry, Akira would hug you and voice out all of the good things about you (and probably imagine how he'll defeat that person's shadow). Did someone close to you recently die? Akira will bring some comfort food to you (or to his place if you went there) and comfort you while eating. Are you upset because of your grades? "Treasure.. have you seen Ryuji's?" but in all seriousness, he'll offer to help you study for the next test. Are you having a existential crisis? He'll also comfort you as he voice out how important you are to him, and that's the reason why he calls you his "treasure". Are you sad because everyone is unique and you're just you? Akira would say how special you are to him and that you don't need to stand out.

-Long story short, he'll comfort you no matter what. :) Can I have a Akira pls? -3- I'm getting jealous over here...

-But if he needs comforting, please comfort him ;-; Sometimes, all of the duties of handling his rehabilitation, school and being the Phantom Thief leader and people in general gets to him. He's still a kid— teenager. And it gets to him sometimes. He's the kind of guy that bottles his emotions up until it cannot anymore hold itself together. So please comfort this boi ;-;

-Overall, he's like a perfect boyfriend :)

Goro Akechi

-Akechi is somewhat-like Akira, yet different at the same time. He's hesitant to pursue or enter a relationship because of his Detective (and other) duties, he fear that he cannot handle a relationship because of that. So the word "surprise" might be an understatement at how Akechi feels as you, his now newly-announced s/o, told him that you just want to love him and lets him do whatever he does. Akechi was actually glad to have someone like you his s/o, someone who understands and love him at the same time. Akechi would be lying if he didn't find you attractive when you first meet.

-Akechi will tease you time from time, enjoying every reaction your making each time, it never fails to put a smile on his face. But he might not be into PDA, since he likes to keep your relationship a secret to the world (media). He tells you so that you won't have to fear about his fanbase. But in reality, he just fears that if Shido knows about you, he would use you against Akechi (which he doesn't like -3-).

-Let's face it, he has you as his wallpaper in his phone. Whenever he feels lonely or just have a moment to himself, he'll just open his phone and stares at his wallpaper. He unconsciously smiles at you in the picture as he continues his day with a smile present on his face. Many people who's near to him noted how happy he was when he looks at his phone for some reason. But Akira manages to find out while he's raising his confidant level for Akechi :)

-Akechi would notice every quirks and twitches you have, since undoubtedly, he has a keen and observant eyes. He would immediately know which ones you like, which ones you don't like, how comfortable you are, how uncomfortable you currently are, and more. But that doesn't make him a stalker >:( He just wants to know which ones you prefer and how comfortable you are. He prioritizes your comfort over his :)

-Akechi always put his mask on around everyone else, but to you? His mask is slowly slipping away. If you play your cards right, he might reveal his true self to you and only you. But he won't tell you about Shido, since he still fears your safety. He tells you partly everything about his childhood, how his life is in the orphanage and all that. Akechi'll mentally prepare himself for you reaction, are you disgusted? Would you leave him now that you know? Those thoughts ran through his head. When (not if because you chose him, how dare you not accepting him >:(.) you accept him though, he'll start to cry.

-Akechi might not be a natural at being romantic, but he tries. I can see him as a gentlemen type though :3, like he'll open doors for you and pulls the chair for you. He'll also give you gifts and trinkets he saw while in his detective duties. I imagine him giving you your favorite flower every meeting (or dates) you two have, like if you're just walking and suddenly come across Akechi, he (for some reason) has your favorite flower at hand and ready to give it to you. Expect your house to be filled with flowers with how often you two meet.

-But its not everyday you two meet, note this. Akechi already warned you about his job since it takes up most of his time, so he's usually not able to meet you as often as he likes to. But he'll call or text you if he has free time, probably asking how you are and lets you rant about what happened during the day. Akechi loves hearing your voice, so he lets you rant as long as you want. If he's given a day-off (so rare ;-;), he'll want to spend it with you. Though he prefers to stay at home, but if you want to go somewhere, he'll concede.

-Your dates consist of going to restaurants, cafe and LeBlanc. This boi loves pancakes, so you better bring him to a restaurant where they serve pancakes X3. But if you can cook pancakes, Akechi would probably want to marry you on the spot :). Whenever you are in LeBlanc though, you would stare at the duo trying out-wit each other, its amusing to you how frustrated Akechi is and smug Akira is.

-But I can see Akechi being touch-starved since he doesn't have anyone while growing up, so he practically clings to you like a koala. But if you're uncomfortable with affectionate touches, he doesn't mind either. Just please hold his hand so that he feels safe (it also settles his mind and heart knowing you're still here by his side ;-;).

-If you're in the Phantom Thieves (oh boy, here we go), Akechi would be scared at the idea of having to kill you and the rest of the team. He knows how much the group of misfits means to you, but he knows he has to do the task he's given. So until that time come, just stay in his arms and let him love you while he still can ;-; (I'm making this depressing..). While still into the subject of comforting, if he starts to cry because of all the stress, please comfort him ;-; Though I can also see him pushing you away, in fear you'll get hurt. Just persist and continue to comfort him :) He'll slowly warm up to you.

-If you need comforting though, he'll get awkward and not know how to comfort you. Don't blame him though (because he never had anyone, remember?). He'll try his best to comfort you, and by that I mean letting you cry as he holds you. He'll make you rant about what you're sad about, and just listens to you. After the crying mess, he'll drag you to the TV to watch a movie. He did this so that whatever the reason behind your crying would be temporarily be gone. But if it involve some school issues, he'll help you there since he knows about that area. But the others? Yeah, haha... no.

-Akechi isn't a perfect boyfriend but he tries :) (Just prepare yourself in breaking up with him when you reach Shido's Palace :(.)

Yosuke Hanamura

-Yosuke is a bit of a tease but not too much, only eliciting a reaction from you. Yosuke is also a bit shy when it comes to the subject of romance, so he might be awkward and shy at times (this is the moments where you have to take the lead). Like that time where he first asked you out on a date, he's so nervous that he stumbles with his words (the rest of his friends were cheering for him from behind). You have to connect the dots if you ever want to understand what he's trying to say, and you better say yes :)

-He's not really into PDA like most people expect (probably because of his somewhat-shyness). But he always likes to hold hands with you. Not many people know you two are together though, only his friends (and parents) since you two act like best friends still. His friends also relentlessly tease the both of you (mainly Yosuke though), much to his dismay.

-Yosuke also wants to spoil you so he spend all of his money getting what you want, so please don't abuse this and pLEASE MAKE HIM STOP! Because Yosuke might end up being more broke than ever ;-; He's too kind...

-Yosuke might take a while to get used to the fact that you two are a couple (since he's still hang-up with Saki's death), but when he does get used to it, prepare yourself. Yosuke loves giving you back-hugs, even more if its a back-hug you didn't expect. He just hugs you from behind and stuff his face into your neck or hair, either way they smell good. Yes, he loves your smell, got a problem? He also loves peppering you with kisses on your neck (not in a sensual way though!), he doesn't know why but he does it. If you're ticklish in that area, it just gives him a reason to do just that (he loves the sound of your laughter).

-He shares his headphones with you and lets you borrow it for the rest of the day if you want. He's also the kind of guy that if you're short, places his head on top of your head and arms around your figure and sway the both of you (I like this idea, it's too adorable >w<). Also the kind of guy that uses his height as an advantage to grab an item you need and hold it above his head while laughing as you try to get it back. This is his kind of teasing :)

-Your date consists of Junes or your place (not his because Teddie is there). Junes is his favorite place so if you want to date there, he'll be ecstatic. You two will sit there while eating the food you bought as you two talk about random things you two can think of. I think this is Yosuke's ideal date though, just relaxing and talking. But if his boredom comes to play, be prepared because he's gonna drag you away from Junes or your house and explore Inaba together. Boredom is what Yosuke fears afterall. If you two are hanging out in your house, be prepared for pillow fights and tickle fights because Yosuke is for sure gonna start it :)

-Yosuke would also might use some pick-up lines on you, some cheesy ones and some random ones. If you use a pick-up line on him as well, you two will have a pick-up contest on which one would have the best pick-up line ever. You two will also have inside jokes that only you two understand. Yosuke also loves you pouncing on him from behind and giving you piggy-back rides, but if its in public, he might get embarrassed.

-Being Yosuke's girlfriend also means being great friends with his, mainly Yu. Yu is Yosuke's partner (I SHIP IT!!) so he wants you to meet his partner. The team would instantly welcome you into their group, and they love you very much :3 Yu also hangs out with you and Yosuke, if you or Yosuke suggest it (he ain't telling being a third-wheeler :/). Teddie would also join in on your date if its at Junes, Yosuke easily getting angry at Teddie for interrupting your date.

-If you're in the Investigation Team, he'll get protective of you, acting like you're knight. He'll be damned if you get hit, so he mostly get the hits directed for you. But if you get hit, he'll sulk and beg forgiveness to you (even though its not either your faults that the Shadow is fast enough). He'll also help you train if you have a hard time with your Persona.

-Yosuke is observant and perspective so he notices your mood, quirks and twitches. He'll immediately notice if you're mood dampen, even if its a little he'll notice. He wants to immediately know what's wrong. If you want to cry, he'll let you cry as he holds you close. If you say "I'm fine", Yosuke would argue that you're clearly aren't. Either way, Yosuke would make sure to make you let it all out.

-If you're sad, he'll comfort you. Whatever the reason is, he'll know it later. The first thing to do is comfort you. He'll not immediately ask you to tell him, he'll let you take your time to explain to him why he found you crying (or sad). Is it about grades? Don't worry, it happens. Yosuke would teach you (he's intelligent, he just doesn't know it yet :3). Is it because of bullying (or someone talking bad about you)? Yosuke would get angry at them as he started to rant why they shouldn't do that and that you shouldn't listen to them. Is it because someone close to you died? Yosuke would remain silent as he just hugs you. Long story short, he'll comfort you in every way..

-Remember me stating Yosuke is observant? Yeah, I'm gonna bring it up again. Yosuke prioritizes your comfort over his, as he finds ways for you to be comfortable if you're uncomfortable. Yosuke always reassure you that he doesn't love Saki anymore, but in truth, he's just reassuring himself. But after Yosuke talked to Yu, he'll confront you about this. Please forgive him and comfort him ;-; he needs it. Afterall, first love is much harder to let go of..

-Overall, Yosuke loves and cherishes you. Please be patient with this man as he tries to move on from the death of his first love :)

Yu Narukami

-Yu is the kind of guy that also teases his s/o by kissing their nose, leaving unexpected kiss on the lips and surprising them by hugging them from behind. He loves every flustered reaction you have (and thinks its cute every time). He'll stop if you want, but if not, he'll continue to tease you with his teasing antics. He's also kind of childish (this is my perspective of Yu, don't judge :3) so while holding hands with you, he'll swing it back-and-forth, while also being careful not to hit anyone.

-People can tell that you two are immediately a couple though (from Yu's antics alone), since Yu is an affectionate partner to have. You know the thing where the person's significant other is sitting on a chair while the other is sitting on the floor and in-between their significant other's legs? Yu is on the floor while you are on the chair. This usually results in Yu putting your legs on his shoulders and carrying you around like that, not putting you down until class start or he has to (much to your dismay and embarrassment), which usually Yu reluctantly let you go.

-His friends would gag at the sight of you (Yosuke), but they're super supportive towards their Captain's relationship with you. But they would ask their Leader to tone down his affection towards you.

-Yu loves to cuddle you and peppering you with kisses all over your face, he has no shame (;-; or :)). He's also the kind of guy that stays faithful with one only, and stays with that person because when he loves, he really loves :3 (again, aside from the games :3). He wants you to know about his love for you, and the only way he knows how is engulfing you with it :) He is mature but he lets loose around you because he's so comfortable with you. He's also a domestic-kind of guy (similar to Akira). If you don't how to cook, don't worry! Yu is here to teach you how, starting how to make Curry.

-Yu lets you borrow his jacket (or hoodie) whenever its cold, and usually blush at the sight of you in his clothing. Its usually big since he's so freakin' tall -_- He'll also help you in your projects and homework, usually having it at either your home or his. Though in his, Nanako would pester you two (not in a bad way though). Oh, and also both Dojima and Nanako immediately accepts you as Yu's s/o. So no worries about there :)

-Your dates consist of either houses or exploring Inaba together. Yu's still new in Inaba so he wants to explore it while he still can. Whether you live there or recently moved there (like him) doesn't matter to him. Since you lived there, do you mind showing him around then? If not, don't worry, let's explore together! In houses though, you two just mostly chill. Talking about random stuff while listening to music or watching TV.

-I can see him as a guy that gives you your favorite flower and tuck it in your head :3 (Don't worry, he already got rid of the thorns in it). This guy lives for cheesiness :3 Oh, I forgot to mention. Teddie would tease you and Yu (though very ineffective) and worship you as well since your dating his sensei.

-If you're in the Investigation Team, he'll be very protective of you but he lets you fight (he trusts you that you won't intentionally get hurt :/). But if a Shadow hurt you, Yu would immediately kill it and tend to you. But when it comes to the lady boss (Adachi), Yu would ask you to not join the fight, in fear you would get hurt. If you persist enough, Yu would reluctantly let you join the battle in one condition, stay by his side.

-Yu is also an observant fellow, seemingly enough to figure out a person's true self, even if that person doesn't. Yu can tell if you're not being yourself or not in the mood, he will ask you instantly what's wrong. If you don't tell, Yu would get worried but doesn't press on. He's worried because (if you're not yet in the Team) you might appear in the Midnight Realm or your Shadow self will appear again. So please tell him what's wrong so that his worry will cease. If you do tell him, he'll listen to you.

-If you're sad, he'll comfort you. He'll do it everytime you feel sad or want to cry. He'll hold you close and either bask in silence or listening to you rant. Your choice :)

-Also, Yu spoils you so much to the point that you have to tell him to stop because he might get broke like Yosuke. But he always reassure you that he has spare money. But please stop this boi from spoiling you too much... OR you spoil him in return (he'll gratefully accept whatever you've given him).

-Overall, Yu is an ideal boyfriend to have (I want a Yu :(.)

Minato Arisato

-Minato likes to tease you a bit to see your (cute) flustered reaction, he enjoys seeing you like that afterall. But he won't do it every time. Which is worse because you have to expect the unexpected. Like when you were writing something in your notebook, the next thing you knew that Minato kiss your cheek. Yes, he's a cheeky bastard :)

-Minato also shares his headphones with you and bask in it. If you have a playlist of your own, he'll listen to it with you. Minato is a private boi, so he does little to no PDA. Prefers all of the affection behind doors, his or your dorm. Though he doesn't mind holding hands with you or giving you a hug, only rarely does he give you a kiss in public.

-Minato isn't as affectionate as the other leaders are (almost all of them are except him ;-;), but he tries his best. Like Yu, he shows his love for you through actions instead of words since talking is a pain for him. He'll cuddle you inside either your dorms and pepper you kisses all over your face. He also has no shame ;).

-He prefers to relax and chill since he doesn't want to waste energy (I'm having Oreki vibes here owo'). So his ideal date is to just chillax in the bed, curled up with one another, and cuddling each other. He likes the feeling of your legs entangle with his though. And this is basically your date! Though he will also take you out to Paulownia Mall or anywhere since he doesn't want you to cope up in the room for too long.

-Minato also likes giving you gifts and small trinkets while he's going around town, stating that they remind him of you. He will also remember everything you said to him, which is handy since he also remembers which ones you want. You probably didn't know this so when its either your birthday or Christmas, you'll be surprised to see the thing you wanted to have.

-Minato loves everything about you, your hair, your eyes, your voice, your laughter, your hands, just basically everything. This is the only time he'll be vocal about it, much to your embarrassment. He'll also give you a piggy-back ride if you want, even in public. He might not look like much, but he's pretty strong for a short guy. (Probably from all the training he has done with Akihiko :).)

-The SEES basically accepts you by this point, since you make their Leader happy, their fine with you. Junpei might flirt with you every now and then. Yukari would talk with you about girl things. Akihiko might also drag you to his training session, in which Minato drags you away from your senpai -w- Basically, they just accept you to their wholesome family. Also, Aigis might thanked you for making their Leader happy.

-If you're in the SEES, Minato would still treat you like any other member. Except for the fact that he's stuck by your side through the journey to reach Tartarus' top. He'll help you train your Persona if you need training.

-Minato is also observant about you (all of these bois are observant -_-), so he will instantly know when something is wrong. But he might not let you know about it, and lets it go along. It isn't until you two are alone in the room when he asks you what's wrong. You don't need to answer him, just let him scoop you up in his arms. He respects your privacy though if you want to left alone, but be aware that you'll find him sleeping outside of your door.

-If you're upset about something, he'll know what's bothering you even if you don't tell him, he just knows. For now, he'll comfort you. After that, he'll deal with the problem. If its about someone talking bad about you, he'll get Mitsuru involve. If its about projects and homework or not understanding the lesson, he'll help and teach you about it. He's a smart boi.

-I can see Minato finding it adorable at what you look like with his clothes, he just finds it so cute. He lets you steal his clothes though. As long as you wear them, it's fine. Though you need to return those or else he has nothing left to wear.

-Overall, Minato is a private affectionate bby :)

Shinjiro Aragaki

-Shinjiro doesn't tease often as the previous bois does, but he does tease. If you have a short stature, he'll get what you were getting and hold it above his head while watching you with a smirk on his face as you tried to get it from him. If he's feeling bold, he might place a kiss on your mouth and chuckle at your surprised, flustered face. Though he doesn't do this often.

-Shinjiro likes ruffling your hair for some reason. He won't admit it but he feels relaxed whenever he feels your hair or ran his fingers through your hair, it just feels so relaxing and calm for him. He also likes pinching you whenever he gets annoyed at you, if you pinch back, you two will have a pinching contest.

-Shinjiro has a hard time opening up to other people, so its a huge achievement if you manage to make him your boyfriend. He'll be flustered by it of course as he looks away while blushing ever-so-slightly. He's a bit of a tsun-tsun. But everyone who knows him (Akihiko and Mitsuru) would take note how Shinjiro's face soften around you, you can almost see a faint smile on his face whenever he looks at you. "He looks like a lovesick puppy." - Mitsuru, 2009

-Shinjiro isn't into PDA, so whenever you want to hold hands with him, he'll get flustered. But he won't refuse as he removes his hand from his pocket and holds your hand with his. He's just embarrassed. He'll drag you places to places, probably explore the town while you two can.

-He's not afraid to speak his mind though, beware. He'll speak without hesitation if you did something bad or do something stupid. If you did do something stupid, he'll snicker while teasingly taunting you. You'll get embarrassed by this of course. But when you two started to eat, you'll laugh at his comments about the food. His snide remarks never fails to make you laugh.

-Shinjiro allows you to take off his beanie and place it on your head, he might need to look away to hide his embarrassment and flustered self. His mind is racing on how cute you look with his beanie, WHY DOES THAT BEANIE LOOK BETTER ON YOU RATHER ON HIM?! He'll never understand that logic ever.

-Be prepared as well for competitions and playful fights, because this guy is competitive like Akihiko. He'll playfully banter with you about the difference between some things. Also, he'll be embarrassed when you find out that he cooks way better than you. If you ask if you can have some, he'll immediately say no. But if you continue to pester him, he'll soon give in. Be prepared to taste Heaven :)

-Shinjiro is insecure to himself because there is so much better guys out there for you, yet you chose him. Someone who'll not live long, someone who'll eventually leave you alone with a shattered heart. His mind will always plague this scenarios over and over again, he'll even be wide-awake at night just thinking about it. When he asks you one day why you chose him, you better reply honestly :) Reassure him that you love him and only him.

-Shinjiro is observant as hell so he knows immediately if you're hiding something or upset. Like MInato, he'll not ask you at once. Though if this behavior carries on for days, be prepared for Shinjiro's interrogation :) He just wants to help you, so please come to him if you have a problem with anything

-(I just realized I made SEES bois with sad s/o. Please read how Shinjiro comforts you whenever you're sad there. x.)

-I can see him telling you to find another one to love when he dies. Move on, but don't forget about Shinjiro. Continue living even if he's not there, he'll remain in your heart forever.. (Okay.. I teared up in this one ;-;).

-Overall, please be with this boi until the very end..

[x] Main Page || [x] Persona 5 Page || [x] Persona 4 Page || [x] Persona 3 Page

[sharkbaitsekki]

For the prompt, if it still open, how about: DimiClaude cross-dressing or drag queens? Or maybe the more risky request of Akira and Yusuke hanging out together (perhaps Akira teaching Yusuke how to make curry?) Have fun with your prompts!

Yusuke looked very focused on the cards he had in his hand, and for a second, Akira wondered what was going on in his head. Then again, he didn’t want to know all that much. The depths of Yusuke’s complex and frankly chaotic mind were not something he felt the need to pry into. 

“So...” he trailed off, watching his friend frown at his hand of cards. “Are you... gonna play?”

“Oh, yes,” Yusuke said, snapping out of his reverie and flipping one of his cards towards Akira. It was a Queen of Hearts. “I was merely admiring the detailing on the artwork on this card. Only the red Queens have the powerful contrast in their coat designs, so I am fortunate to have drawn it in the last turn.”

“Don’t show me your hand, Yusuke,” Akira sighed, unsurprised. “Just... it’s your turn.”

“Oh, right then.” Returning his card to his hand, Yusuke considered his options for a little while before folding his cards on the low coffee table before him. “Go fish.”

“Yusuke,” Akira said with a deadpan, “this isn’t Go Fish, it’s Bullshit.”

“What language. To go to such lengths to express your disappointment in me...” Yusuke gasped in shock. “Please forgive my inexperience with this game!”

“No, no, the name of the game is...” Akira interrupted himself with a groan and folded his cards as well. “Okay, forget it. Let’s just... I dunno. Go downstairs and have lunch.”

“Swell idea!” Always happy to eat, Yusuke was up and heading downstairs even before Akira could react. Sighing, but not unkindly, Akira cleaned up the deck of cards and then took the stairs down the attic as well. 

Yusuke was already seated in the booth when he arrived, chatting up Sojiro with something or another that Akira couldn’t guess from context. He didn’t bother sliding into his seat, knowing to expect Sojiro at this point. 

“If you want food, you’ll have to help yourself to it,” he grumbled, just as Akira was halfway to the pot of curry already. 

“Oh, I know,” Akira answered pleasantly, grabbing two plates from the clean stack that he had worked so hard on last night. 

“Extra potatoes in mine, if I may!” Yusuke cheerfully requested, and Akira couldn’t find it in him to deny him. 

After having fished around for potatoes, to Sojiro’s visible displeasure, Akira slid into the booth across from Yusuke and picked up his spoon. 

“Thank you for the meal,” he said, echoed by his eccentric friend, and watched fondly as Yusuke dug into his meal. Probably the only one he’d had since yesterday, knowing him. It made Akira strangely happy to see his undying enthusiasm for the curry he prepared for him, and his meal somehow tasted much better with Yusuke across from him, making little pleased noises at the flavours on his tongue. 

“Scrumptious,” he hummed in between two bites, his face brightly lit with innocent joy. The sight of his happiness was welcome to Akira, who had seen the boy at both his highest and lowest moments, and he couldn’t help but stare while Yusuke devoured his meal. 

Halfway through the plate, Yusuke seemed to become aware of that fact. 

“Is there something on my face?” he asked, cocking his head. There was a spot of curry sauce on the corner of his lips that Akira couldn’t help but laugh at. “Come now, please tell me. Have I done something amusing?”

“No, no,” Akira assured him, taking a bite of food to hide his grin. “I just had a thought.”

“I see...” Nodding wisely, Yusuke returned to his meal as well. “Well, I am glad to see you in such good spirits. It’s been difficult, recently, what with the Phantom Thieves and our looming deadline, but... I’m glad to see you place down the burden of leadership for a moment and indulge in the life of the teenager that you are at heart.”

“Oh.” That was surprisingly astute of someone like Yusuke, who constantly lived in his own head, and Akira suddenly felt exposed. “Yeah, I guess I need my downtime, too.” 

“I’m honoured that you’ve chosen to spend it with me,” Yusuke continued. “I know I can be difficult to deal with sometimes, so I am grateful for your continued time.”

“Don’t thank me,” Akira insisted, feeling awkward all of a sudden. “I’m not just dealing with you either. We’re friends, Yusuke. I enjoy spending time with you, so I do.”

“So it truly is that easy,” Yusuke chuckled, his low voice rumbling in the empty air between them. “Well, I can only be grateful, then, that you found me when I was lost and erring and welcomed me despite everything said and done.”

“I’d do it again any time,” Akira rushed to promise, “and as many times as it takes.”

“You would say that, wouldn’t you?” Yusuke smiled, pleased and gentle. His eyes twinkled when he looked at Akira with fondness, a warm feeling that fronted for the fierce determination and loyalty that Akira knew to expect from him. There really wasn’t anyone in the world like Yusuke, not simply because of his mannerisms, but mostly because of his strength of heart. 

“Eat your food,” he simply said, too embarrassed to continue that train of thought. 

“With pleasure.” Always ready to be distracted, Yusuke began to turn his eyes back to his plate before he suddenly whipped his head towards the window behind Akira. “Hold for a moment... Those colours... that shape...”

Turning around in the booth to look at whatever Yusuke had spotted, Akira felt fondness bloom in his heart when he saw the bird perched on the flower pots outside Leblanc. Yusuke seemed enamored with it, eyes wide and mouth open slightly in a gasp. 

“Oh, winged friend,” he murmured, rushing out of his seat. “What gorgeous eyes! And the way it so delicately balances on the stem of that plant... I must see its fleeting grace up close with my own eyes!”

He rushed out of the café with a jingle of the chime on the door, and Akira laughed softly as he got up to join him, watching him approach the bird carefully through the window. 

“I’m not going to clean up for you,” Sojiro warned without bite to his tone as Akira left everything behind to follow Yusuke outside. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” he assured his guardian as he went for the door. Just as he reached it, his eyes caught the painting on his left, and he stopped for a moment to glance up at the Sayuri. 

The way she looked down at the child in her arms reminded Akira of the way he looked at the boy now outside, imitating bird calls to appeal to the object of his attention. Akira wondered if Yusuke’s mother was somewhere out there now, watching over her son with the same loving gaze that she had immortalized in the ultimate parting gift for him. He wondered if she was proud of Yusuke, and then immediately corrected himself, knowing that she would be proud of him no matter anything else. 

“Don’t worry,” he assured the Sayuri in a murmur, turning around to walk out of the door and join his friend. “He’s doing just fine.” 

[i-w-p-chan]

A Detective and His Rival Phantom Thief

Summary: To be a successful detective, Akechi Goro believes, one needs a good case and a worthy rival. Luckily for the second coming of the Detective Prince, he has both. (Or does he?)

Note: The other day someone mentioned this kind of AU in the shuake server and I was reminded of how much I wanted to dabble in it.

Also, despite the summary, this isn’t connected to P5A.

Warnings: Kinda Cracky, Kinda Feelsy (Only Teeny Tiny Bit Though), Kinda Fluffy, Self-Indulgent Ficcing Happened Again, Zero Regrets, Akechi Is Gay And In Denial, Can You Hear The Author’s Mad Cackling?, Human!Morgana, Akechi’s Adorable Murderous Urges.

Disclaimer: Don’t own P5.

.

Goro observed the barista from above the pages of his detective novel, eyes locked on the teen’s figure as he moved about smoothly to prepare Goro’s cup of coffee.

This was him, Goro knew without a shadow of doubt, this was the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. He absolutely fit the bill- aside from his motives and circumstances (both of which Goro had already confirmed to fit the profile he had in mind), there were the mannerisms; the Thieves’ leader acted very unassuming, quiet and rarely speaking, the type anyone would bypass without a second glance, but held a subtle charm to those who bothered to pay him any attention.

Truly, as befitting a phantom thief.

“Here,” Kurusu murmured, the quietness of his voice hiding the baritone Goro had heard a few times when Kurusu let his guard down sometimes, and put Goro’s cup of coffee on the counter in front of him.

“Thank you, Kurusu-kun.” Goro breathed out, putting away his novel and sending a charming smile Kurusu’s way; Kurusu wasn’t swayed or flustered by the action, not that Goro expected him to. Goro took a sip from his coffee and sighed, relishing the taste that made him return to this café, over and over again (aside from Kurusu- and the curry, can’t forget about the curry), “Delicious as always.” Goro sent Kurusu a wink while keeping a tight lid on his inner giddiness that came to existence due to the combination of the coffee and Kurusu’s presence.

The giddiness intensified when Kurusu ducked his head and one of his hands rose to fiddle with his messy bangs with slender fingers; it was Kurusu’s bashful telltale and Goro enjoyed each time he got to fluster Kurusu like so- Kurusu’s reactions were absolutely delicious~

Goro hid a smug grin behind the rim of his cup, but only enough so that it wouldn’t be very obvious- he certainly wanted Kurusu to notice it.

And notice it Kurusu did, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. Goro inwardly cackled and a mischievous spark entered his eyes.

He could feel Sojiro’s Disapproving Look burning a hole right through him, but he didn’t pay it any mind; he was a detective on a job, a predator with the scent of his prey filling his nose- he wouldn’t let something as pesky as other people’s approval stop him.

In that moment, the bell above Leblanc’s entrance chimed as the door opened, heralding the arrival of another customer.

“Hey, Boss!” Goro almost narrowed his eyes at the familiar obnoxious voice that grated on his ears.

It was fuc- curs- goddam- hecking Kobayashi.

“Oh, it’s Akechi.” Kobayashi plopped gracelessly on the chair to Goro’s right, and Goro’s hold on his cup tightened, “What are you doing here? Oh, wait, don’t answer that.” Kobayashi’s mouth stretched in his usual ugly Cheshire cat grin, his eyes flitting to Kurusu, and making Goro immediately contemplate at least three ways to maim him (he had a nice cup of hot coffee on hand, he had a briefcase on his left, he had his own fucking forearm which could make a nice chokehold-), “You’re here to woo Akira, aren’t you?” Kobayashi cheerfully declared.

“Morgana!” Kurusu hissed, while Sojiro merely shook his head.

Goro’s urge to throw Kobayashi into a vat of acid and watch him die while laughing and pointing increased by 300%.

“Kobayashi-kun,” Goro ground out through his clenched teeth, “I’m not here to… ‘woo’ Kurusu-kun, or anything of the sort.” Goro nodded decisively, “I’m simply here to enjoy the coffee and quiet company-“ Goro sent a beaming smile Kurusu’s way, “-right, Kurusu-kun?”

Kurusu nodded his head jerkily, averting his face from Goro in the process, and Goro’s chest clenched at the sight.

Privately, Goro wondered why he felt like he should take back what he said, even though it was the best response in such a situation; after all, he didn’t want to give Kobayashi more ammunition to use against him.

“Is there something wrong?” Goro inquired, expression clearly showing his confusion, as he noticed both Kobayashi and Sojiro giving him disbelieving looks.

Sojiro just shook his head and disappeared to the kitchen amid the silence that stretched even after Sojiro returned with a plate of curry and placed it in front of Kobayashi, who finally interrupted the silence, “Hey, are you actually oblivious or are you just playing around? Because let me tell you it better be the first, not the second, because if it was the second, then I hold the rights to pants you in public in front of your adoring fans.” With his piece said, Kobayashi dug into his plate of curry.

Goro almost snorted; he was neither oblivious nor playing around- Kurusu was a serious topic for Goro and required his utmost attention and care. Well, at least now with Kobayashi no longer running his mouth, Goro could return the entirety of his focus on Kurusu and continue flirt-

His brain reached a screeching halt and he almost dropped his cup of coffee.

Um.

AHEM.

That wasn’t…

He wasn’t…

Goro stared blankly at his cup, not so much seeing it as staring through it.

He vaguely registered the sound of Sojiro snorting, “There. Now he realizes.”

.

“Ah, I see everyone is here.” Goro smiled at the Thieves as they all piled into the empty office after him, “I’m glad.”

“Everyone?” Sakamoto parroted.

“Yes.” Goro’s smile widened, “No need to act so coy with me, I have long since known about your activities. I simply didn’t have the chance to confront you before now. Especially with incriminating evidence.”

Kurusu cocked his head to the side, and damn did he have to look so adorable? “Activities? Incriminating evidence?”

“Yes.” Goro nodded resolutely, “Your group is the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and you, Kurusu-kun, are their leader.” Goro declared dramatically as he reached into his coat and pulled out a number of pictures depicting everyone in front of him sans Kurusu, “And I have picture evidence. I must admit, it was devious of you not to be seen at all around Okumura Foods HQ, you must have seen through me since the very beginning, Kurusu-kun, and did your absolute best to avoid being caught in such incriminating evidence. But I guess that I shouldn’t expect anything less from my rival, the notorious leader for such an elusive group of vigilantes.”

Silence.

Goro blinked at the group, and the group stared back at him with looks of pure incredulousness.

“Um, what?” Takamaki was the first to regain her voice, “Did you just say that Akira is our leader?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Goro responded, confusion swirling within him at receiving such a reaction, “He is highly proficient, intelligent, bold, charming-“ (“Gay,” Sakamoto muttered, and Takamaki elbowed him in the side, Goro ignored both)”- and with a great web of confidants with convenient skills to help you in your endeavors.”

Niijima cleared her throat, “I think you have a correct take on the situation, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re wrong: Akira isn’t our leader, he isn’t even a member of the Thieves, he is a very dear friend, true, but not all of our friends are members of the Thieves. Our leader is actually Morgana.”

Goro stared blankly ahead, and Kurusu sighed, “What is it with people always assuming that I’m a member of the Thieves?”

.

“You’re not a member of the Thieves…” Goro stared at Kurusu’s phone as he scrolled through it for the umpteenth time, though his search didn’t net him any sign of the Meta Nav that all the Thieves had along with Goro who had the fortune (misfortune?) to be accidentally pulled along with the Thieves on their latest heist.

“I’m not.” Kurusu’s tone was bland, and Goro had to suppress a flinch; it turned out that letting slip the implication that he’d been spending so much time around Kurusu was just to gather information on the Thieves was not a wise choice, and he’d been too stunned by the revelation that Kurusu wasn’t whom Goro thought he was, that he didn’t even think about backpedalling and telling Kurusu that, true, it may have been for information gathering purposes at the beginning, but Goro had grown to genuinely enjoy Kurusu’s company.

He had to fix that mistake.

Goro raked a hand through his hair and sighed before he returned the phone to its owner, “Listen to me, Kurusu-kun,” Goro started and Kurusu looked back at him, though Goro couldn’t see his eyes from the way the light reflected off of them (which told him that he was in deep trouble if he didn’t correct the situation- and fast), “It’s true that I started frequenting Leblanc and spending time with you to get information on the Thieves, but that was months ago. It’s different now, I promise! I… like being around you and-“ Goro could practically feel his own face’s increasing temperature as it glowed with an impressive blush, “-I enjoy spending time with you. I don’t want this misunderstanding to ruin our… friendship. Um. I’m sorry.” Goro almost winced at his own words; he was usually very eloquent, where had the words disappeared off to?

“Okay.” Kurusu smiled lightly at him and Goro’s insides did an impressive set of flips and twists.

“O… kay?”

“Yeah.” Kurusu’s smile widened, and Goro had to put a hand on his chest, feeling like his heart may just as well tear itself out of his body at the sheer amount of emotion that smile induced in him.

“But first…”

“Yes?”

“Call me Akira.”

“Alright… Akira-kun.”

.

End

Yes, Kobayashi is human!Morgana’s surname.

[fortunesrevolver]

Here is my piece for @shukitazine!!

This was so much fun to be apart of and I’m so happy that my work is being published in a physical form. I’m still new to all of this, but all of us would still appreciate your support! There are still more copies for sale here!

It had all been part of a careful plan: escape for them, capture, lay the bait, and wait. Everything had been so meticulously put in place, yet so much of the outcome rested on luck. Yet, despite the fact that luck seemed to grace Akira with every breath he took, it never stopped the weight in Yusuke’s chest from growing with every glimpse or whisper of news he heard.

One mistake was all it would take for everything to go wrong; so, so wrong. One error, one trip or slips, and the results would be fatal for the one person they all wished so desperately to save.

One mistake, and it could have all been over.

The soft chime of bells draws Yusuke’s attention to the door as something in his chest gives a particularly painful squeeze. Sojiro is the first to appear, and for one terrifying moment, he thinks the door won’t open again -- but it does, and the second ring brings with it the first true breath of air he’s had in days. A wave of relief cascades over him and washes away the heavy fear and anxiety that had rooted him down to a dark place in his mind. The sudden shift is startling and he almost stumbles on his way to the front door where Akira stands with a familiar, gentle smile.

Ryuji, of course, makes it to Akira first, but he can’t find it in himself to be upset. Instead, he leans against the nearest booth and hopes the extra support is enough to keep his legs from collapsing beneath him.

“How have you been?!” Ann’s voice draws him back down to reality and he looks to Akira, holding his breath.

“Well, I mean,” Akira smiles again, lop-sided and weary. “I died, so… Pretty good, considering.”

A low rumble of laughter follows and the tension that hovers over all of them starts to fade. Akira shuffles slowly toward one of the tables and Yusuke immediately stands up, moving to sit across from him on one of the bar stools. His eyes are burning from a lack of blinking, but he’s afraid of closing them for too long. He hasn’t had Akira within arm’s reach in so long and he needs to hear it. Needs to know he’s not going to wake up again to a stuffy, empty dorm and another day of fear.

The next few hours are spent trying to make sense of everything that’s happened and ensuring that Sojiro and Sae understand what’s going on. Caution will be absolutely necessary from here on out; Akira’s life still hangs in the balance, and they’re going to need all the help they can get if they’re going to win.

When it finally comes time to leave, Yusuke waits until the others have slipped out the door before he finally exists himself. He barely makes it a few feet from Leblanc before he stops, his legs no longer listening to his brain’s commands to take him back to the dorms. The weight he’d been carrying in his chest feels as if it has returned and found a new home in his throat. It’s sudden shift that leaves him reeling, and he doesn’t know how to address it.

He’s experienced loss before; even if he couldn’t remember his mother clearly, the emptiness from her absence had been felt all his life. Madarame’s arrest had had its own repercussions as well, but disappointment and the outstretched hands of his friends had been enough to carry him though. Certainly, there had been reason to be afraid before, but Akira is safe and sound in the attic, where he should be. There was no realistic reason to feel as if Akira had been taken from him too.

But he could have been.

For several, terrifying hours after the announcement of the leader of the Phantom Thieves suicide, he had.

“You’re still here?”

Yusuke turns, alarm flickering across his face as Sojiro eyes him from the cafe door, a pair of keys dangling from his grasp.

“I…” Yusuke’s voice fades out when no words come. He doesn’t know what to say, how to explain what he’s feeling, but Sojiro seems to read something in his expression and motions him closer.

“Come on,” he urges, normally gruff voice soft. “I didn’t feel right leaving him alone right now anyway.”

Yusuke hesitates for only a moment before he steels his resolve and moves forward. Behind Sojiro, he can feel Futaba’s gaze follow him until he’s through the door and turns when he hears her speak.

“...take care of him, Inari.” He’s not used to hearing her voice so calm and soft, especially when directed at him. There’s no teasing note in her tone and only a curiously warm look in her eyes. Something he almost thinks he should find dangerous. “There’s a first-aid kit in the kitchen. Probably. I told Sojiro he needed one.”

“I’ve had one,” Sojiro grunts and gives Futaba a gentle push toward the road. “It’s in the kitchen on the wall, and there’s leftover curry in the fridge. Make sure he eats.”

Yusuke nods and immediately makes his way toward the kitchen. Even as a frequent consumer of discount meals and cheap instant noodles, he can’t imagine the quality of food Akira must have been given when incarcerated. If he was given any at all. The thought makes Yusuke’s chest hurt, but knowing Akira, food won’t be an easy task right now. He’s never been one to show his wounds, and even through blood and bruises he’d sat downstairs and made jokes mere minutes ago. He has no idea where to begin, but the first aid kit gripped in his hands as he makes his way up the stairs seems a good start.

As soon as he reaches the top landing, Morgana is halfway across the room and meeting Yusuke’s gaze with an even glare. “You came back,” he says, leaping up onto the table better see Yusuke’s face. His eyes settle on the first aid kit and he nods in satisfaction, flicking his tail in the direction of the bed. “I guess I can give you permission to go see him, then.”

Yusuke scoffs, a protest ready on the tip of his tongue that there is only one person who has any right as to whether or not he can stay, but a soft voice catches him off-guard.

“Yusuke…?” Akira’s head appears from under a mound of blankets on the bed. “Did you forget something?”

It feels as if all the air has rushed out of his chest as Yusuke walks over to the bed. The first aid kit in his hands feels heavy as Akira watches him, silent and questioning, until he finally motions to the bed.

“Forgive my intrusion,” he begins, his voice hoarse, “but I couldn’t help but notice…” Yusuke trails off, staring at a bruise that peers over the collar of Akira’s neck. It makes something inside him burn angry and vivid; how could anyone dare to lay their hands on him?

“It’s not as bad as it looks.” Akira smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, not like it used to.

“Akira…” Yusuke doesn’t know what to say, doesn’t know how to explain. He hardly knows what is holding him together, let alone what he wants to say in being here. Instead, he simply tightens his grip on the kit and gives it a small shake. “If I could…”

Akira looks down, silent for several moments before he pulls back. For a moment, Yusuke thinks he’s accidentally overstepped a boundary -- it wouldn’t be the first time -- but his shoulders sag in relief as Akira sets his glasses aside and begins to slowly peel away his clothes. Each layer reveals something new and every wince or catch of breath from the brush of cloth or a movement too quick makes Yusuke’s eyes burn.

When Akira is left in nothing but his boxers, Yusuke stubbornly blinks the sensation and looks him over. The pale, creamy skin is covered in dark purple blooms. Patches of skin flare red from inflammation, with cuts caked over in brown, dried blood stretching between them like an angry web. So many times he’s longed to see Akira exposed; to run his fingers over the one canvas he’s never dared to touch so intimately and paint it in countless colours.

This is far from anything he ever imagined.

He’s never performed first-aid on anyone before, not without a spell in the other world, and his knowledge of treatment is basic at best. Being an artist and constantly working with his hands, he’s had his fair share of minor injuries, but never anything on this scale. He hardly knows where to start, but a voice in the back of his mind rumbles deep in comfort and guides him through the motions. Each bruise and cut are given equal care; gentle and thorough until everything he can see and find has been addressed.

When he finally sits back to look over his work, amusement almost manages to bubble over in his chest. With the bruises no longer visible, the amount of gauze on Akira almost looks like a costume -- something that should be comical, but the sorrow lingering in Akira’s is a stark reminder of what lays beneath.

“I look a little ridiculous,” Akira smiles faintly and touches one of the bandages on his face, “don’t you think?”

Yusuke’s voice catches in his throat and he shakes his head firmly, pushing the box in his lap aside. “You look magnificent,” he replies and brings a hand up to take Akira’s in his own. “As always.”

Akira snorts, but is unable to hide the dusting of red that spreads over his cheeks as Yusuke brushes his lips over the back of his hand. “You’re just saying that.”

“Even the world of art is not made by beauty alone.” Yusuke’s voice is soft as he speaks and presses his cheek into Akira’s palm. “Many paintings depict the most grotesque of images and twisted fates.”

“Oh?” Akira tilts his head and something playful sparks in his eyes. “So I’m grotesque now?”

“Nothing of the sort.” Yusuke’s tone is firm as his eyes snap up. “You are still a true work of art and my most cherished muse.”

“Yusuke…”

“Nothing will ever change that. No mark, bruise, event, nor Shadow.”

Silence falls over the room as Akira seems to stumble over something he wants to say, but only a soft, incoherent babble of whispers manages to pour out. Something wet hits Yusuke’s lap, and for a moment, he thinks Akira has managed to reopen a wound. His thoughts are cut off before he can share them as Akira tips forward and falls into Yusuke’s lap, pressing his face into his shoulder.

“Akira--”

“I was scared.” Akira admits, pressing closer. “After Sae left, I thought… I wasn’t sure I’d convinced her. I didn’t have any control after that, and if I hadn’t said enough to make her believe Futaba…”

“It doesn’t matter now.” Yusuke cuts him off before he can voice the same fear that had haunted him for the past few days. “You’re here. You’re home. And, so long as it is within our power to do so, all of us will keep you safe.”

“Harboring a fugitive is a pretty big offence.” Akira murmurs, his voice muffled by the fabric of Yusuke’s shirt.

“One that somewhat pales in comparison to some of the things we’ve done, I’m sure.” Yusuke responds and wraps his arms gently around Akira’s waist and relishes in the warmth he finds there. It’s the most real thing he’s felt in days and he has no intention of letting go anytime soon -- and judging by the grip Akira has on him, at least he hopes, Akira doesn’t either.

Neither knows how long they sit there, but by the time Morgana leaps up onto the bed, the light that had been filtering through the window had faded away to the dull pale glow of the moon.

“Hey,” Morgana huffs and begins to flick Yusuke’s back with his tail. “You two need to eat.” He pauses, then adds before any argument might be made: “I need to eat.”

“Ah…” Yusuke draws back, thoughtful as he brings a finger up to his chin. “It occurs to me that I had not mentioned: there is spare curry in the fridge, or so I was told. My talent in the kitchen may be minimal, but I am confident I could easily heat enough up for both of us.”

“Wha--hold on! What about me?”

“I would assume the opening of a can does not even need addressed.”

Akira smiles again and Yusuke feels his chest grow lighter as the hand he offers to help Akira to his feet is accepted. “I can take care of Morgana.”

“Tomorrow you may.” Yusuke chastises. “However, for tonight, I will see to it that your duties are taken care of. Most fortunately, cats are very independent creatures.”

“Hey!” Morgana protests, “I’m not a cat!”

“Then you should be even more capable of handling yourself.”

“Ooooh…” Morgana growls, but follows the pair toward the stairs with a feigned huff of annoyance. “This is the thanks I get for watching over him…”

“I promise you,” the sudden shift of tease to gratitude in Yusuke’s tone takes Morgana by surprise and he stops. “We are all grateful for everything you’ve done. While we may have worked as a team, we owe a great deal to you and Futaba for all of this. And I… I am particularly thankful that he has made it out safely.”

Silence falls over them again and Yusuke feels Akira press closer against his side. Carefully, he tries to readjust his arms to better compensate the added weight and suddenly feels very awkward. Emotions have never been his strong point, but he feels as if he’s used up a week’s worth in only a few hours.

“Food sounds good,” Akira hums and peers over his shoulder, “and I think there’s some leftover fish too.”

“Great!” Morgana’s mood immediately lifts and he darts down the stairs. “What are you two waiting for? Fish is waiting for me!”

Akira laughs, soft and quiet, but it sounds beautiful to Yusuke. Every shift and word begins to feel like a wonderful reminder of hope that Akira is here, that they did it, that they’re going to win.

“Come on, Yusuke,” Akira murmurs and Yusuke feels fingers thread between his. “You must be starving.”

It feels almost ironic, that Akira could be talking about his hunger when he doubts Akira has had anything since he was captured, but the normalcy of it all feels wonderful. He squeezes Akira’s hand in turn and helps him amble down the stairs to a kitchen.

Soon, the familiar aroma of curry and coffee fills the cafe as they curl up on the same booth bench, shoulders pressed together as the TV drones on in the background, grounding them to reality that everything was going to be okay.

[vinylsolution]

The Next Step @MakotoNiijimaWeek

Day 5: Future/Career Makoto Niijima walked into the testing center, her bag full of all the essential tools she needed. Her heart was racing. This was it. This was the big moment. The entrance exams that she spent a big piece of her life studying for. They were finally here. She took a deep breath, looking at her phone one last time.

> Haru: Do your best, Mako-Chan!

> Ryuji: Show those tests who’s boss!

> Ann: I believe in you!

> Yusuke: If anyone will ace those tests, it’s you.

> Futaba: You got this, advisor!

> Sae: Good luck, Makoto. I’m proud of you no matter what happens.

Makoto smiled. She was so grateful meeting such wonderful friends over the past year. Her phone buzzed again while it was in her hand.

> Akira: You can do this. I love you.

She put her phone back into her purse, shutting it off. She walked into the classroom she was assigned to, her mind full of knowledge and determination. She took her seat and took out an empty notepad, a pencil, a pen, and her favorite calculator. The test booklets were passed out, The timer was set, and the test had begun.

Thanks to her rigorous studying, the strict schedule she was placed under by her sister, and her constant tutoring sessions with her boyfriend, she managed to breeze through most of the topics, giving herself plenty of time to go over each section thoroughly, leaving her feeling very confident. There was even an ethics essay about the Phantom Thieves! Makoto slyly smirked to herself as she wrote page after page regarding the topic. Who knew those hours in Mementos would’ve helped her in her studies?

The final egg timer went off. She put her pencil down and grabbed her wrist, rubbing it. She may have overdone it on those essay questions, but it was worth it. Her test was collected by the monitor. “You will receive an email about your results within 24-48 hours, sent to the address listed on your application. That will be all.” Makoto sighed to herself. It was almost over. All she needed to do was wait for the results, and her future would be locked in for life. She could be a police commissioner just like she had always wanted. She turned on her phone and sent a message to Akira.

>Makoto: It’s over. Would you mind if I stopped at Leblanc? I feel really tired...and I just want to see you..

>Akira: Sounds great. I’ll be waiting for you.

Makoto put her phone away and dragged herself to the train station. Unloading on that test really took it out of her. But she was excited for the results. She had brought it up with Akira beforehand, but she was planning on going outside of Tokyo for her university. After all, he was leaving. And she didn’t want to be without him. She couldn’t even explain it to herself, but Akira was really the center of her universe. Everything about him just made her happy. Even thinking about him made a subconscious smile creep across her face. The train had arrived and Makoto managed to find a seat. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as the train departed, making its way to Yongen-Jaya.

Makoto yawned again as her head bobbled. Her eyelids began to get heavy as she leaned back and drifted off to sleep. She began dreaming about coming home to her luxury apartment. Makoto could immediately smell her favorite dish being made. Blue back fish. She was dressed in a suit, with a badge attached to her hip. She removed her jacket, putting it on the coat rack. “I’m home!” she called out. She made her way to her kitchen, loosening her tie. “Hey, how was work?” Akira was cutting up the fish, preparing it for her. “It was great! We took down a syndicate today.”

“Wow, that is great. They should’ve known not to cross Commissioner Kurusu.”

Makoto chuckled and blushed. She still wasn’t used to the name.

“And how was business today?”

Akira looked over at the coffee pot, which was now boiling. He put his cutting knife down and went to pour his wife a cup of coffee.

“A bit hectic. People just can’t get enough of the new curry dish!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.” Makoto inhaled sharply, taking in the smell of the fish & coffee. “I don’t blame them, you’re such a great cook!” Akira smiled and said “YONGEN-JAYA. THIS IS YONGEN-JAYA.”

Makoto’s eyes shot open, looking straight at the train door, which had swung open. She jumped out of her seat and ran out, the door closing on the tip of her bag. She yanked it out, the door opening again and closing quickly. She panted. That was a jolt of energy she wasn’t expecting. She made her way to the alleyway, taking in the familiar sights. She had grown accustomed to Yongen since she started dating Akira. It was a quaint neighborhood, small and humble. A perfect place for such a wonderful cafe. She walked through the door, the bell attached ringing behind her.

“Sis…!” Makoto gasped. Both her big sister and her boyfriend were sitting together at a table. She walked over to the two of them, Akira moving over to make room for her. She smiled and sat down next to him. “Secret’s out, huh?”, she said, trying to keep her cool. She never really publicized her relationship, she was a private kinda girl. But seeing both Sae and Akira together, she just assumed the worst. Sae gave a knowing chuckle.

“I’ve known for a while. For a pair of Phantom Thieves, you’re not very good at covering your tracks.” Makoto blushed and looked away. “But now that you’re here, we can talk about that.” Sae’s eyes narrowed, looking over at Akira. He swallowed nervously.

Sae folded her arms and held that stern look. Makoto knew immediately that was her sister’s ‘interrogation face’. “What are your intentions with my sister?” Makoto put her hand on Akira’s knee. She could see that Akira immediately felt less tense thanks to her touch.

“They’re pure, I promise. I...I’m in love with her.”

“Can you provide for her?”

“I have 10 million yen.”

Sae’s eyes widened, her stern look wavering. “W-what?”

“I have 10 million yen.”

“O-Oh...I see..”

Makoto was watching this exchange in awe. Nobody could ever get Sis that flustered, not even in the courtroom! After all this time, he always found new ways to surprise her.

“I feel like after our...previous encounter that I have a good grasp on your morals. I know you’re a good person, and with this, um, financial incentive, I think Makoto would be in good hands dating you. I approve of your relationship.” Akira let out a sigh of relief. “But if you manage to hurt her in any way…”, Sae growled, slamming the table. “Let’s just say I’m proficient in kickboxing.” Akira gulped nervously.

“You don’t have to threaten him, sis!” Makoto cried out. “Akira’s a really smart guy. I think he understands.” Sae sat back down, satisfied with the results. “Well then. What do you say you treat us to a meal?”

“Y-yeah, okay.” Akira mumbled, still feeling a bit flustered Makoto got up so he could attend to the back area, making sure to make the finest plate of curry he could. That woman knew how to put fear into a man’s heart. Makoto looked away from Akira and back to her sister. Sae’s expression relaxed now that she wasn’t in interrogation mode. “How did your entrance exams go? Was there anything that may have stumped you?”

“Not at all! I’m feeling more confident about my results. I went over every subject and every question.”

“I’d expect nothing less from you. When should you learn about the results?”

“In a few days. I’ll get an email telling me my placement.”

“That’s definitely worth celebrating. With your high score, you’ll be able to go to a top school in Tokyo, and land a high paying positi-”

“Yeah, about that…” Makoto interrupted, rubbing the back of her head nervously. She wasn’t looking forward to bringing this up with her, but now felt like as good a time as any to bring it up.

“Hm?”

“I was talking with Akira and…” the words got lodged in her throat. “I, uh…”

“She’s looking to move in with me once I go back to the suburbs, and wants to go school outside of Tokyo.” Akira said, putting the pots on the burner and turning on the gas.

“What?!” Sae wasn’t expecting to be thrown for so many loops tonight. “But you just started dating! You shouldn’t be moving in together so suddenly!” Makoto cleared her throat. That push from Akira helped her speak again.

“We’ve been dating since last August. A-and now that I’ve graduated high school, I don’t have anything tying me to Tokyo any longer. And with me gone, it’ll ease the financial burden you’ve had. Sis, there’s always Tohoku! Or Nagoya! I just…” Makoto looked down. “That month without him hurt a lot. And...I don’t wanna be without Akira anymore.”

Sae looked over at Akira, who was busy preparing Leblanc’s signature curry dish, and back to Makoto. She put her hands on the chin, elbows on the table. She didn’t want to see Makoto go...but she wasn’t just her little sister anymore. She was a woman who needed to do more than live in her shadow. And she was right, money would be less tight if she was only supporting herself...Sae sighed. I wonder what dad would do if faced with this, she thought.

She leaned back, her expression softening. “Makoto.” Makoto looked up immediately. “I could not be more proud of the woman you’ve become. You’re strong, compassionate, unyielding, with a need to always do what’s right. And you’re right. You should go and live your own life. It won’t be the same without you around the apartment, I’ll admit.” she said with a smirk. Makoto’s eyes welled up with joy. “S-sis!!” she went over to the other side of the booth and hugged her sister tight, squeezing her. “Thank you so much! You’re the best…” Sae managed to dislodge her arm from Makoto’s absurdly strong grip to pat her on the head. As much as she’d matured and grown up, Makoto would always be her little sister.

“I, uh, hate to interrupt this heartwarming moment, but the food’s ready.” Akira chuckled, sprinkling the spices onto the 3 dishes. He served the girls first. “The curry for you, madame~”, he said, winking at Makoto. Makoto’s smile never left her face.  “And for you, miss.” Sae kept her arms folded, but she did smile at Akira. “Well, if your cooking tastes as good as it smells, I shouldn’t worry about Makoto going hungry.” she chuckled to herself. Makoto scooted over to make room for her boyfriend, who came back with his own dish. The two of them watched Sae, as she took a spoonful of the curry and rice. She put the spoon in her mouth and involuntarily moaned. “Mmm…!!” Akira felt himself ease up for what felt like the millionth time that night. “This is delicious! This may be even better than Sakura’s curry.”

The three of them continued eating, the only noise being heard was the clanking of the spoons against the plate, and the moans coming from Sae. There wasn’t a moment when her mouth wasn’t full of Akira’s delicious curry. Once she was finished, she pushed the plate aside and let out a sigh of satisfaction, her hands on her stomach. “How was it?” Akira asked, already knowing the answer. Sae smirked. “Are you sure I can’t come with you two?” Makoto chuckled, finishing her own plate of curry. This was even better than she could’ve possibly anticipated. Her sis and her boyfriend were getting along great. And she even said it was okay to move in with him! The future she’d been planning for may have finally started.

The next day, Makoto had packed up all her old textbooks, her clothes, everything she owned. She looked back at her room, now only her futon remained. She smiled, thinking back on when she and her sister got that thing. It was only supposed to be temporary until they were able to afford something better for her. Makoto then felt a warm hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to miss you, Makoto.” Makoto turned around to look at her sister. “You can stop by anytime you like! I’ll give you the address!”

“I promise to do that. There’s no way I’m gonna spend the holidays without you.”

Makoto smiled, wiping tears from her eyes. “I wouldn’t let you anyway.” Makoto hugged her big sister, wiping her tears on Sae’s blouse. Sae gently rubbed her back, fighting back tears herself.

“I love you, Makoto.”

“And I love you, Sis!”

After what felt like an eternity, but not long enough in Makoto’s eyes, she had to let go. The two of them loaded up her newly purchased Citroen H van, and Makoto took off. She sniffled again. It wasn’t a goodbye, she told herself. But she knew she had to get moving, quickly! She wanted to surprise Akira with the van, so she had to get to Shibuya as quick as possible before he went to the train station.

She couldn’t believe her own delinquent behavior. She had run multiple red lights just to make sure she made it on time! She pulled over to the side of the road once she made it to the station, keeping her eyes out for Akira. She saw him instantly. On the corner of the block. She got out of the van and started waving to him, frantically. “H-hey! Akira!!” but he didn’t see her. Damn!, she thought. She had to say something that would get his attention. Thankfully the girl who never fumbled with her words knew the exact thing to say.

“I’ve always loved you, Akira!!”

That’s when he looked over, his face completely red. It was a rare sight to see him blush. Makoto was jumping up and down, waving her arms. She started laughing, her plan working perfectly. He walked over to her, carrying his Shujin bag behind his back, with his rolling suitcase not far behind. “Now you know what it feels like.” she chuckled, his mouth partially agape. “W-when did you get this van? It looks just like Morgana.” His bag started to shake as a familiar head popped out of the bag. “What looks like m-woah! It’s a big grey me! How’d you do that, Makoto?” She leaned against the van, satisfied with herself. “I wanted to get us a car, something special that commemorates a very special time in our lives. And there’s vans out there that looked like the Mona van. So I thought ‘hey, only fitting, right’? And when we get everybody back together, we won’t have to worry about space! I wasn’t gonna let us go on a boring old train anyway.”

“Wow, you’ve really thought this through.”

“O-of course I did. This is really special to me.”

Akira smiled and kissed his girlfriend, holding the kiss for longer than normal. It was Morgana who broke the silence. “Bleh! Are you two gonna be like this for the whole trip?!”

“Keep up that attitude and you’re going right back to Leblanc. Do you wanna have your face pinched by Futaba?” Makoto said, waving her finger at Morgana.

Morgana muttered something incoherent and put his head back into the bag. Akira put his suitcase in the back seat, strapping it in, along with putting his Shujin bag down, unzipping it so Morgana could roam around the van as he pleased. He got into the passenger’s seat next to Makoto as they took off together. Akira took in the sights of Shibuya one final time as they drove away from the city and onto the highway. He leaned back in his seat, smiling. He was looking through the sunroof at the sunny skies above him. After what felt like an eternity of silence, he looked at Makoto, and said “You know, I’m glad that things turned out the way they did. I’m glad you caught us.”

“You are? I hated that time in my life. I hated hanging on the Principal’s every word. Being his...his lapdog!”

“But if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be a Phantom Thief.”

“I suppose…”

“And we wouldn’t be together.”

“Y-yeah.” she smiled. She always prided herself on being the smarter of the two of them, but there were times when Akira’s intelligence even outshined hers.

“My sweet stalker~” Akira teased. He put his hand on Makoto’s thigh, gently rubbing it.

“A-Akira! Please, I’m trying to concentrate on the road!”, she said, blushing.

“What? It was cute having you follow me around like that. And it was even more fun losing you.”

“So you knew I was following you that whole time?!” Akira flashed a sly smirk at Makoto, making her cheeks redden even more.

Morgana hopped into the front seat.

“Oh yeah, he saw you coming from a mile away.”

“Wh-huh?! But I was so clever, hiding in the crowd…”

“The only girl in the crowd that would hold a manga up to her nose and still manage to look over it..”

“Damn. I think I should’ve followed Ryuji instead. He would’ve never figured me out.”

Akira and Morgana laughed.

“I’m glad I learned how to say no to Kobayakawa. To stand up on my own merits. Ann was really nice and helped me a lot when I was just starting out with you guys.”

“What happened?”

“She came to the student council room and apologized for telling me off. And then she wanted to become friends.”

Akira pretended to gasp and put his hand over his mouth “So ‘The secret between girls’ finally comes out!”

Makoto playfully punched his arm. “Oh, shut up.” she giggled. Morgana ran across Makoto’s lap and looked out the window. “So this is the suburbs...it’s so pretty!” Akira looked out her window. Things were looking familiar, almost nostalgic. He was getting close to home. “Take this exit, right here.” Makoto pulled off the highway, Morgana trotting his way back to his seat. She looked over at Akira, who was looking out the window, smiling.

“So I haven’t asked before, but what was your home life like?” Akira didn’t break contact with the window, but his smile faded. “Things were rough for a really long time. My dad, he lost his job when I was a kid, and he didn’t take it well. He started drinking, hard. And kept gambling a lot of our money away. There was a long time where I wasn’t sure if I was gonna have anything to eat. Debt was piling up, and that’s when my mom divorced him. He didn’t leave without a fight, though. And he always made his fights with her public. He did love me, for what it’s worth.”

Makoto pulled over to the side of the road, unbuckled her seatbelt, and hugged Akira. She had never seen him so upset.

“Heh, thanks.” Akira wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Things are much better now that everything’s over. I think you’ll like my mom.”

“I hope she likes me.”

“What’s not to like?” Akira smirked. There’s that cocky guy I fell in love with, Makoto thought. She got back into the driver’s seat and got back on the road.

Akira gave Makoto directions until they pulled into an average sized home, sandwiched between other average sized homes. “So this is where you live?” Makoto asked. Akira nodded in response. “I’m home.” He got out of the van and opened up the sliding door, getting his bags in first. Morgana hopped back into the Shujin bag. “You need to remember to act like a cat, okay Morgana?” Makoto said. “Yeah yeah, be really cute and meow a lot, I understand! It’s not like she knows what I’m saying anyway…” He kept his head out as the bag was zippered around him.

Akira slid the door aside and walked through, taking his shoes off. “Hello? I-I’m home…” Akira called out. Makoto followed behind him, taking her shoes off as well. “Akira-kun?” a voice responded. A woman peeked out, her greying hair looking strikingly similar to Akira’s. She walked fourth, hugging her son. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re back! You look like a changed man. So handsome! And who is this lovely young lady?” she said, motioning over to Makoto. “This is Makoto Niijima. She’s my girlfriend.” Makoto bowed. “It is an honor to meet you, Ms. Kurusu.”

“Such manners!” she smiled, admiring Makoto’s respect. “And what about this little guy?” she noticed the cat peeking out of Akira’s bag.

“Oh, this is Morgana. He followed me home one day. He’s a good kitty.” Akira’s mother petted him as Morgana meowed and purred. He was pulling off the cat act pretty well.

“It sounds like you’ve had quite the eventful year, Akira-kun. You must be starved! Let’s sit down and you can tell me everything over lunch.”

“In a second, mom. I have to help Makoto with her things.”

“Her things?”

“Oh yeah, she’s moving in with me.”

“Goodness! It’ll be nice to have so many people again!”

Makoto had already left and come back with 2 boxes, stacked on top of one another. “Just bring those upstairs. That entire part is my room.” Makoto nodded as she went up the stairs. She walked up the stairs to see a dusty room, but it was definitely Akira’s. It felt like a more personal version of his attic bedroom. The bed even looked like his from Leblanc. She smiled as she put the boxes down. This is her new bedroom. Her new life with Akira. It felt good to think about. She then heard him come up the stairs, the remaining boxes in his arms. He grunted. “Aaah, is this okay?” Makoto chuckled as she took one of the boxes off the stack, freeing up his field of vision. “It’s perfect.” she put the box down and kissed his cheek.

After unpacking, the three of them went downstairs as Akira and Makoto told Akira’s mom all about their escapades over the last year, save for a...few details. Mostly the Phantom Thief thing. But she was still captivated by their story. It went well into the evening. It was a lot of information to process, so Akira’s mom had went straight to bed. Makoto washed the dishes as Akira had gotten out the cleaning supplies. They couldn’t exactly sleep in a year’s worth of dust, after all.

Once she washed the dishes and put them away, Makoto was walking up the stairs to their room. She liked the sound of that. Their room. She got to the top of the stairs to see Akira, already changed into his pajamas, lightly dusting his desk. He looked over at her. “What’s got you all smiley?” he smirked. She didn’t even realize she was smiling. She started unboxing her clothes to find her pajamas. A slim black top and white sweatpants. She felt nervous changing in front of her boyfriend, but they were gonna be sharing a bed. Akira kept dusting, replacing the old sheets in the bed with new ones. Makoto changed fully into her pajamas, keeping her bra on. She still wanted to remain a modest in front of him, after all.

“Wow, you look even cuter in pajamas.” Akira chuckled. “Would you stop?” she pushed Akira away, making him fall onto the bed. Akira just laughed as he made his way under the covers. “Care to join me?” he smirked. Makoto was about to say something, and then her phone buzzed. It was the email she’d been waiting for! “M-my results are in!” Akira got over the covers and scrambled up to her. “What’s it say?” Makoto read the email, her eyes started to well up. “I….I made it. I scored within the top .1 percent of all incoming students. I’ve been granted full academic scholarship to any university of my choice..” Akira beamed. “That’s incredible! I knew you could do it.” Makoto put her phone aside and kissed him deeply, her hand holding the back of his head. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She wanted this moment to last for eternity. She didn’t have a single worry in the world. All the nervousness, all the ambivalence was gone. All that was left, was hope. With a full scholarship to anywhere she wanted, and Akira by her side, she knew everything was gonna be okay.

@makotoniijimaweek

[akirakurusuimagines]

Rain - Akira Kurusu x Fem!Reader

On a rainy day, Akira tilted his head towards the window, admiring the gentle splatters of water upon the school window, drowning out the sounds of the lecture as he closed his dark eyes to the sound of rain, a wave of serenity rushing over his body as the calm atmosphere drew a veil over his eyes, the stress of school, the Metaverse, and his probation all fading away in this moment of peace. He couldn’t care less about anything at this point in time, relishing in the few minutes of peace within his mind as he listened to the white noise that cluttered inside his head. His hand held his head up as he stared outside the window, gently playing with his ebony locks. His other hand had the dull pencil in its grasp, the tip gently skating across his notes in patterns that he remembered from the metaverse and the grand palaces that he and the Phantom Thieves had come across during their time in the alternate dimension. The corner of Akira’s lips perked up in a soft smile, his face relaxed as his mind wandered to what he thought of the world and all of it’s imperfections and corruptions: where he and his confidants would change the selfish cognitions of others to make the world a better place, even if that is only miniscule compared to the massive amounts of corruption that the world held.

He let a breath of air escape from his mouth as his phone buzzed in his pocket, reaching for it to check who had sent a text. Akira’s mind instantly flipped to Ryuji, the ‘bonehead’ of the group who made it a bad habit to text during class. ‘That’s probably also a reason that everyone thinks he’s a delinquent…’, though he was pleasantly surprised to see it was an old friend of his from his hometown, the single thing he missed about that hell of a place. Akira’s glasses began to slide off his nose and he swiftly put them on the desk as his eyes scanned the message he had gotten. Remembering that she had come with the school on a trip to Tokyo, she seemed to be stuck indoors due to the rain, though compared to him, extremely bored. A common side effect when stuck with people you don’t care about and with nothing to do. ‘Dude, entertain me before I die of boredom!’ Akira fought back a chuckle at his friend’s text lest he get caught by the irritable teacher that yapped on and on about something or other.

‘If you’re so bored, why don’t you act like a good student and do you work while you’re free now?’ Akira’s finger’s flew on the screen, typing the snarky words his companion surely expected, as his quiet demeanor shook and fell to his cocky and arrogant one only for a few people; the ones that come inside the Metaverse with him, and her.

Akira bit his lip as the next message came quickly. ‘Like you’re one to talk! Er… text. Anyways, don’t act so cocky and just tell me how your life has been. Gotten into any trouble recently? I hope not. You’re still on probation! If you go to jail I will personally kick your ass into oblivion.’

Akira looked up from his phone and shifted his gaze to the teacher who had his back towards the students. He saw the combined alphabets as the teacher droned on and on about the different expressions in language, a topic they had covered before where Akira had figured out the meaning behind “wunderkind”. He turned back to his phone, seeing his cat companion asleep inside his desk, probably from the rain, and texted back as discreetly as he could. ‘I’d rather meet up and talk than have you “kick my ass into oblivion”, especially since you’re here for a weekend.’

‘Oh, so now you want me to act like a bad student and leave the class trip? Sounds fun. Where do we meet up?’ Her text was like a taunt, but he could almost feel the smile from the other side of the monitor. ‘And let me know when you want to go so I can sneak out.’

Akira scrolled through his notes and copied the address of the cafe he currently resides at, pasting it into their chat. ‘I have lunch in about three minutes. I’ll skip afternoon classes. Meet me there asap.’

He watched as the chat bubble indicating she were typing paused for a moment before reappearing as a text speech. ‘I’ll be there. Don’t be an ass and make me wait long; I don’t have an umbrella.’

-

The lunch bell rang loudly, cutting the teacher’s words short as students scrambled to leave with their lunches and immediately grouping with their friends. Akira stood up quickly, shoving an irritated Morgana into his bag, waved to Ann - a fellow Phantom Thief, and rushed out of the classroom to make his way outside of the school with the back entrance that he knows with the help of his third eye that no teacher was monitoring.

Morgana meowed lowly, poking his head out from inside the bag. “Where are we going? Are you going to skip class?” He asked with obvious annoyance.

Akira nodded, pushing the cat’s head back into his bag. “I’m meeting a friend. She won’t be here long.” He explained, sneaking into the subway station whilst hiding the uniform he wore as best he could to be discreet among the crowd.

The ride along the subway was not as crowded as it usually is when he is headed to school or back from it. Akira stood anxiously by the door, dashing out as they slid open for people to exit, not letting anyone have a chance to stop him if that was their plan. He couldn’t get caught; it would cause too much of a pain on everyone’s shoulders.

It continued to rain as Akira dashed through the empty streets next to his current residence, eyes frantically peering through his rain-streaked glasses, trying to spot the familiar hair and body of his friend. He ran under the many covers the shops had, thankful that they blocked a lot of the rain from getting to Morgana at least. He had forgotten his classic black umbrella at the cafe, leaving him partially soaked, even with the double layer of clothing and the covers he ran under. The water seemed to have soaked through his uniform jacket and onto the white long sleeve turtleneck underneath, chilling his skin uncomfortably.

Akira frowned as he stood in front of Cafe Leblanc, mindful not to let his guardian Sojiro see him. Otherwise, Akira might literally die. He peered in the window and saw the glowing figure of his friend under the fluorescent lighting, the same rain that stuck to her school uniform and accentuated her curves made her hair glitter in the light and his eyes wander over her as if she were a goddess that came to save him from the hell of his life.

Reluctantly, Akira tore his gaze away from his old friend, setting his bag down and gently taking Morgana out of his bag. “Stay here. Sojiro likes you. Just meow and he’ll come for you.” He instructed and left no room for the cat to object before he took his phone out and dialed his dear friend. ‘Come outside and make sure he doesn’t suspect you. I’ll take you somewhere nice.’ Akira slid away from the cafe, standing next to the alleyway with his arms crossed and a foot on the wall he leaned on, acting very intimidating yet mysteriously charming, a tip he had picked up from a book he finished while on the train.

He waited less than a minute, though the stray sprinkles of water did not keep him very good company, before he saw her emerge from the small cafe. Her eyes seemed to spot him immediately and she skipped over to him, careful to dodge the water that dropped from the heavens. She was completely soaked, Akira could tell, from the way her hair clung to her face and neck and the sleek gray that shimmed with water. He watched as she ran towards him, flinging herself onto the male and getting him even wetter than he was previously. “[Name]-” He objected, hands on her arms to try and pull her off him. “You’re soaked.”

“It’s revenge for making me wait, you jerk!” She exclaimed, slapping his arm with a glare that he knew was only half-serious. She paused for a minute, cheeks a dull pink as she stood under the cover of the alley, next to him. Akira smiled, watching her silently. He noticed the faint traces of makeup around her eyes, likely waterproof, that somehow made her shining eyes even more vibrant. He noticed that in the long months of having little contact with his childhood friend, how greatly he came to appreciate her, from her jokes to the appearance that made him sway in his shoes.

Akira pushed his dripping raven hair back and took his glasses off for a moment before deeming that he couldn’t wipe his glasses on his own wet clothes. He turned to [Name] who looked at him with a questioning gaze before pulling on the bottom of her shirt and wiping his glasses off, much to her discontent. “Thanks,” He said, pushing his thick-rimmed glasses onto his nose, finally relieved from the irritating drops of water that would blur his vision.

“Anyways,” [Name] cleared her throat, fixing her school shirt with an obvious blush that did not escape the eye of Akira. “Where are we goin-?” She asked, stomach interrupting at the last minute and rumbling loudly against the constant pattering of rain.

Akira sighed softly as [Name] hid her flushed face within her palms, embarrassed at being caught hungry. “Food, I guess. Seems like we both haven’t had lunch.”

“I’ll pay for it!” [Name] immediately declared with her mouth agape, stopping Akira from saying anything. He was well aware of her hard-headed nature and her stubbornness after years of arguments and debates, so he didn’t even bother to say anything in retaliation, lest they attract the attention of stray passersby that would likely notice their young age and uniforms and get them into trouble.

-

The timid persona Akira put on when not in the Metaverse was slightly swayed as [Name] and he walked side by side, hips practically glued together, just like old times. Akira’s arm was around [Name]’s shoulders, despite her on-and-off complaints of embarrassment, he felt her lean against him, especially as the wolfish gazes of deprived men on break from tedious office work bore into the soaked students. They soon arrived in front of the nearly empty ramen shop, thankful that the rush hour for lunch was over.

Akira lead them inside and they sat at the far corner of the counter, soft spoken and discreet as to not rile up any staggering customers from their lunch. [Name] looked at the menu with a frown, her pale fingers tapping the plastic covered menu and abruptly stopped when the old cook smiled their way and asked for their order. Akira was first to reply, having a house special he always gets. [Name] stuttered a bit but requested the same, still having not made up her mind by that point and didn’t wish to bother the old cook by taking up more time.

“Just like old times, huh?” Akira mused with a small smile, happy the memories he made with her in his hometown were good, unlike the ones with his neglectful parents (who are the absolute worst™).

[Name] took a sip from her cold glass of water, shaking her head. “Not really,” She replied with a hum before flashing Akira a devious smile. “You would always follow my lead back then.” She leaned back in the high chair, admiring Akira’s profile with a side glance. He reminded her of someone on television recently, and she could feel it on the tip of her tongue; but who?

The gentle rain was good company as Akira and [Name] silently ate their matching bowls of ramen, [Name] glanced up at the news playing on the television attached to the wall. It talked about the controversy behind the Phantom Thieves and whether their actions should be considered criminal or not. [Name] paused herself from eating, staring at the screen and seeing a blurry photo of the leader of the thieves, hardly recognizable by any standards, though [Name]’s heart seemed to pull inwards at the sight of Phantom.

“Did you take an interest in the Phantom Thieves?” Akira asked, drawing [Name]’s attention back to him. “They’ve become really popular lately; I admire them.”

[Name] stared at Akira, her brain slowly connecting the dots. “Yeah..” She mumbled, returning back to her meal while pushing that thought behind her for now, leading a nice conversation that caught their lives up with each other - most of it, at least.

-

Leaving the ramen shop a good thirty minutes later, the air damp and cold but only light drizzles falling from the sky, Chikai leaned against Akira for support as she scrolled through on her iPhone, something he couldn’t see with his angle of vision, as they walked through the now crowded streets. By this time, school was out, so there was no need to worry about Sojiro getting upset about Akira being home early, and they mutually agreed to go back to Akira’s place and chill there until it was time for [Name] to go back to the hotel.

“You alright?” Akira mumbled, his concerned eyes peering down at [Name]’s troubled face.

[Name] shook her head and gave Akira a smile, putting her phone away. “I’m fine. We’re almost there, right?”

“Yeah,” Akira confirmed, his grip on her faltering. “If Sojiro asks anything, don’t tell him about me cutting class. Otherwise I might be homeless for a good year.” He asked, hand rubbing [Name]’s head and messing up her damp hair.

[Name] rolled her eyes and huffed, fixing her hair the best she could. “Of course. I can’t have you being alone in Tokyo.”

-

Akira opened the door for [Name], as she slipped inside, greeted with Sojiro’s amusement at the sight of a previous customer and the one who was staying with him. “You two know each other?” The middle aged man asked, leaning against the counter. “Nice to see you again, though. I’m not going to question why you two are together, but don’t disrupt my customers.”

[Name] nodded, bowing her head politely to Sojiro. “We’ll be in his room. Thank you, though.”

Sojiro seemed surprised at the bold declaration. He turned towards Akira with a stern gaze. Before he could open his mouth Akira stepped in to save his own ears.

“She’s a childhood friend that came to visit. Nothing weird.” He explained, telling the truth. Even so, Akira did not wait for the man’s reply and simply ushered [Name] up the steps to his room where Morgana nearly attacked both Akira and [Name], his claws out and a deathly glare in his eyes.

Morgana calmed down quickly though, seeing [Name]. He moved his head from [Name] to Akira and back to [Name]. “Did you skip school to pick up a chick?” Akira sighed, shaking his head.

[Name] kneeled down and gently pet Morgana’s head, not knowing he was quite different than the normal cat. “He’s very handsome. When’d you get him? No, actually, why didn’t you tell me you had a cat?” [Name] said, a threatening tone underneath the gentle touches to Morgana’s head.

Akira rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging. “Forgot,”

“Mmhmm, sure.” [Name] sang, standing back up and throwing Akira a knowing glance. He placed a white, fluffy towel on her head and handed her a large shirt and some sweat pants. “Oh, uh..”

“You’ll get sick if you stay wet. I’ll go to the bathroom. Let me know when you’re done.” Akira said, walking out of the room. [Name] followed close behind and locked the door, looking at Morgana.

“Could you..” [Name] mumbled, hoping the cat would understand. By some miracle, it seemed he did, and turned around, tail swishing side to side. “Thanks.” She said, replacing her wet clothes with the warm baggy ones that luckily had strings on them to make it fit on her waist. “Akiraaaaaaaa,” [Name] said, unlocking the door to suddenly meet extremely close to the teen, noses practically touching. Her face burst into an array of red as she stumbled back, nervously laughing. She couldn’t deny the fact that Akira was very pretty and perhaps the fact that they’ve known each other for years added onto the small tiny crush that she had.

“Woah, don’t fall!” Akira said, hand reaching out to steady [Name]. “You didn’t get sick already, did you?” He asked with a teasing tone laced in his words. “Or.. are you that happy to see me?” He asked, flirtatious nature appearing again.

[Name] slapped Akira’s arm and glared at him. She was well aware that Akira was the kind of person that could go from being considerate to extremely flirtatious, no matter the gender or appearance. “Save that for your girlfriend.” [Name] said, walking over and hopping on a chair in front of the television, desperately ignoring the sting in her chest from the words that rolled off her tongue.

Akira stared at [Name] for a moment as she said that but quickly shook it off of him. He sat in the other chair, bringing out a controller and offering it to [Name], who refused and said she would rather watch Akira get beat up by the AIs. “Don’t feel like it.” Akira replied, setting the controller back. “What do you want to do then? We have a few hours before the day is over.”

“Just put in a DVD or something.” [Name] said, leaning back in the chair and continued to pet the cozy Morgana who was clearly enjoying the affection. “Can we move the couch over here? These chairs aren’t the most comfortable.”

Both Akria and [Name] got up (while [Name] placed Morgana on the chair and gently moved it, with Akira ignoring the complaints that Morgana spilled that [Name] couldn’t understand aside from the low meows that boosted the irritation. [Name] giggled softly, seeing the exchange of glares between Akira and Morgana. “Hey, I’ll start getting jealous if you keep glaring at your cat like that.” She said, grabbing one side of the couch and grunting, pulling it as hard as she could.

Akira joined [Name] after watching her struggle for a minute, his strength adding to the swiftness of pulling the heavy couch. The floor creaked with despair as the weight of the couch shifted, but it wasn’t anything serious so they ignored the dying creak. Akira was the first to sit down, stretching his arms out and letting a yawn fall off his lips. [Name] subsequently jumped on top of him, knocking the breath out of his chest as she scooted to lay her head on his lap.

“I remember when you were always the one cuddling up to me,” [Name] mumbled, looking at the television that began playing a lighthearted movie. “I miss being able to do this.” She admitted.

“It’s only been a few months,” Akira said, his hand naturally going to her hair and gently stroking it.

[Name] looked up at Akira and frowned. “And a lot has changed.” She paused, opening her mouth for a moment before closing it and shifting her gaze as her smile faltered. “Were you ever going to tell me you were the leader of the Phantom Thieves?” [Name] asked softly, looking up at Akira with serious eyes.

His hand reflexively moved over and covered her mouth, a flash of panic in his eyes before he realized she hadn’t said it loud enough for anyone but him and Morgana (whose hearing surpassed humans) to understand. Akira hissed softly as [Name] licked his hand, a method she adopted after Akira covered her mouth on multiple occasions in their young life. He slowly removed his hands from her mouth and wiped his hands on the shirt he gave her. “What was I supposed to say? Besides, I couldn’t tell you over the phone; if the police suspected me they could use that and you and evidence in the court. I wasn’t expecting you to find out anyways. I didn’t want to drag you into my mess.”

[Name] shifted her eyes, sighing softly as she pinched Akira’s nose out of annoyance and her heavy heart. “I know, I know.” She sighed, putting her hands on her face. “I don’t know. I’m… I just…” [Name] let the breath she held go. “I guess I’m a mess of a bunch of feelings. I’m upset and jealous and angry and happy and proud and-” [Name]’s lips quivered as she sat up, engulfing Akira in a tight hug. “Scared. If something happens to you I..”

Akira’s arms wrapped around [Name] as he laughed softly. “You’re still a worry-wart.” He smiled, letting his forehead fall onto [Name]’s hair.

“Don’t ruin this for me, jerkwad.” The female grumbled. “Let me just hang out with you, as my cherished... best friend.” [Name] shuddered, shaking her head. “That sounded way too cheesy and I want to barf.”

Akira playfully pushed [Name] away. “Please don’t barf on me.”

“You’re the only person that should be barfed on, Mister Oh-So-Great Phantom Thief!” 

-

[Name] frowned as she looked at the building across the street where her class trip was. Her dried uniform was back on her body and her appearance much nicer than it was when she broke down in her best friend’s room. She sighed softly and shook her head. “Over already, huh.” She looked over at the casually-dressed Akira, smiling sadly. “I won’t see you for another few months, it seems like.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll come back for you. Maybe then you could join us.” Akira said, pushing his dark glasses up his nose.

[Name] laughed and nodded. “I hope that’s a promise,” She said, nudging Akira. “Hey, I wanted to give you something before I go.” [Name] said, rummaging through her purse and pulling out a keychain that Akira gave her when they were very young.

“Is that-?’

“Yeah. I want you to have it. Not forever, of course. As a good luck charm. You have to bring it back to me though. That way you can’t break your promise.”

Akira accepted the token and carefully attached it to his belt hoop, amazed at how nice it looked even after all these years. “Alright, alright, I get it.” He said. “You should get going before you get in even more trouble.” He said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

[Name] nodded and stepped in front of Akira. “One more thing before you decide not to call or text me for another seven months,” She said, forcefully pulling Akira down to her smaller heigh by his shirt collar and pressing her lips to his only for a moment before pulling away when she felt his hands move to her body. She ran across the street, turning around only to holler at him to not do anything stupid and that she was waiting for her keychain back before running and climbing into the window to her room with her few friends at school.

-

Akira stared for a few moments to the spot where [Name] had fled to in a fit of embarrassment. His fingers ghosted over his lips, the shocked expression shifting to a smirk not unlike those his Joker persona would wear. “That was a nice good luck charm,” He mumbled to himself, his legs dragging him back home before Sojiro killed him.

He dropped onto his bed, phone in front of his face as he looked at the chatroom with his best friend that they started in the morning. His fingers flew on the touchscreen and typed out a simple phrase before shutting it off and placing it to charge on his bedside. Morgana glanced at Akira and hopped on his bed, resting on his chest and pawing at his chin. “Hey, so, that friend of yours… are you sure we can trust her?”

“I’d trust her with my life. And if I know her like I do, she’ll probably encourage others in our hometown to support us and to help out each other.” He said, closing his eyes.

“Alright then Joker, but, don’t forget our mission here.”

“I won’t forget. We’re a team.”

“Good, now go to sleep.” Morgana ordered, curling up on Akira, forcing him to stay down.

-

“Where did you go?” One of [Name]’s roommates asked, tilting her head as she sat on the foot of the traditional futon, peering directly at the flustered girl.

[Name] laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck. “Akira lives here now, so I saw him.”

“Really?” A few girls gasped, jaws agape as they pressured [Name] for more detail as to how he was and such, raving for new gossip.

“Guys, I’m getting tired, and the teachers are going to check in on us soon.” [Name] exclaimed, calming the excited girls with a lie. “So goodnight!” [Name] said, pulling the covers over her head and attempting to calm her beating heart as the other girls in the room slowly calmed down and one by one fell asleep.

[Name] lazily scrolled through her phone, unable to sleep after she did such a thing to Akira, her head buzzing with thoughts and screams of her idiocy until a notification popped up, alerting her to the new message. She held her breath and opened it, expecting the worst, but only seeing a strange message from Akira.

‘Check your bag. Sleep well.’

[Name] shifted in her futon, reaching over to her small purse and rummaging through the contents in there, not finding anything out of the ordinary. Floss, a few pens, lip gloss, some normal sanitary products. Her fingers opened up the zipper on the side, expecting to find nothing like the other pockets but to her surprise, a blindingly red card stood out against the dull jean-colored purse.

She took the card out, admiring the business-like texture and the professional quality of the signature logo of the phantom thieves, a brand that had been popping up to an ungodly amount on the news and other media. [Name] flipped the card around, using her phone as a light to read the card.

I’ll steal your heart before the end of the year, and that’s a promise.

The distinct change in style from the calling cards of the Phantom Thieves’ previous victims are blatantly clear in this red card, as it seemed to be made specifically by Akira. A blush returned to [Name]’s cheeks as she stuffed the card inside a pocket very well hidden inside the bag, shaking her head at his cheesiness that nearly rivalled hers. Unable to control the butterflies in her stomach, [Name] furiously texted teen back before falling asleep to memories and dreams.

‘Don’t keep me waiting, idiot.’

[glassworkspiderlilies]

picnic baskets

Persona 5 | Goro Akechi, Haru Okumura | AO3 Summary: Goro runs into Haru amidst a crowded street. They have an outing together. Notes: Drabble two! If it can still be called that, given that it’s like, 2,000 words... 

He’s in Shibuya to check out the crepe stand today, as magazines have been boasting about its new selection of summer flavors. Goro always makes a point of keeping up with food trends—he doesn’t really need to, but he finds that it helps with maintaining his charismatic detective prince character, and being knowledgeable about such things provides him with more connections than people think.

Plus, as crowded as Shibuya gets, he’s rather fond of the city, because it’s easy to hide amongst all the bodies here. On occasion fans will recognize him, but because people are constantly moving and shifting on the streets, it doesn’t take much effort to lose them. There are also plenty of alleys to slip into, as well.

But today’s one of the particularly busy days, likely due to the influx of new seasonal additions to Central Street’s shops in addition to the crepe stand’s soaring popularity. It’s harder to navigate, and it’s easy to jostle others or be jostled, or both at the same time. As Goro makes his way towards the crepe stand, trying to keep close to the sides of the street, someone crashes into him and causes him to bump into someone else. Quickly, he puts his hand out to stop himself from falling further, inadvertently catching the other person beneath him against the window display of one of the shops.

“Sorry, dude!” the teenagers who’d crashed into him say as they hurry off, more focused on their destination than the people they had almost knocked over.

“I’m terribly sorry, I…” Goro says as he turns to see the other party of the accident, trailing off once he recognizes who he’s caught.

“Oh! Akechi-kun!” Haru Okumura says, eyes wide as she looks up at him.

“Okumura-san,” he returns politely, stepping back to free her. “What a way to run into each other.”

She giggles, bringing a hand up to her cover her mouth. “Indeed! A more exciting way than usual, isn’t it?” She adjusts the strap of her bag to rest on her shoulder better as she tilts her head, politely inquisitive. “Where were you headed off to on such a busy day?”

“Ah, I’ve been hearing many things about the new crepe flavors, so I thought I’d satisfy my curiosity and come to taste one,” he says, smiling.  

“What a coincidence! I was on my way there too,” Haru says, eyes gleaming, “Shall we head there together?”

There isn’t a reason for him to refuse, so they travel the short remainder of distance together. They discuss the new crepe flavors as they wait on line—lilac cream, peaches and cream, hazelnut and honey, tiramisu, strawberry and orange, amongst a few others, debating on which ones to get.

“I definitely want to try the lilac, it isn’t so often you get a floral flavor,” Haru nods, “But the hazelnut and honey one seems good too…”

“Ah, those do sound quite nice…but for me, I think I’d like the tiramisu,” Goro muses, putting a hand up to his chin as he thinks, “it would be interesting to taste the dessert in crepe form. But the peaches and cream doesn’t seem as popular as a choice, so I’d like to try it as well…but the same goes for the lilac flavor you spoke of…”

“Oh, I used to love peaches and cream as a child! And the tiramisu flavor seems to be quite popular, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose the coffee flavor appeals to an older audience in addition to the younger customers. My coworker was speaking highly of the honey and hazelnut as well though, for it not being too sweet either, which I’d also like to try, but…”

“Deciding what to get is proving to be more difficult than anticipated, isn’t it?” Haru says, and Goro agrees absentmindedly.

They both ponder for a while until Haru brightens, clapping her hands together as she turns to face Goro.

“I know! How about we get all of the flavors we mentioned and share?”

Goro blinks at her, perplexed at her suggestion.  

“That way, we can taste a majority of the flavors,” Haru explains, “I do this with Ann-chan and Mako-chan when we go out for dessert—Ann-chan has a very sweet tooth and always has a hard time choosing, so we usually end up just getting a lot and splitting.”

It takes him a prolonged moment before he realizes that she’s waiting for an answer.

“I…that sounds…acceptable,” Goro finally says, but with hesitation in his manner. He’s had meals with Sae-san, but their conversation tends to be about work. Otherwise, it’s rare that Goro eats with anyone else. He’s not entirely sure how to get along with Haru Okumura, but her suggestion is reasonable, and it would be rude to refuse at this point. And it would help him to taste more flavors in one go—and add more information in his arsenal.

She smiles at his choice of words, amused, and steps forward to order the two crepes she initially mentioned as Goro orders the other two. Once they have both dessert boxes in hand, Haru looks around for a place to sit, though with the day’s crowd she knows she won’t find one.

“If you don’t mind a train ride, what do you say to Inokashira Park?” she suggests.

Goro shrugs.

“That sounds fine.”

They ride in companionable silence on the subway, making occasional remarks on the passing scenery or today’s weather. When they finally arrive at the park, Haru guides him to a shaded area with a nice view of the lake, asking him to hold her crepe box as she digs into her bag. She pulls out a square of cloth, then opens it wide, laying it on the ground before taking a seat. Goro raises an eyebrow, but follows her actions and sets the crepe boxes down in the center. Haru opens them both, flattening the boxes and cutting the crepes with the provided plastic knife. She gestures for Goro to take first pick, and he shrugs and takes half of the tiramisu crepe, while Haru takes the other.

“Hmmm…this taste…it’s not quite what I expected,” Goro says thoughtfully as he chews.

“You’re right…the texture of the crepe itself doesn’t quite take the place of the traditional ladyfingers, does it?” Haru replies. “Still, it is quite good.”

Goro smiles, then chuckles when he realizes that he’s permitted himself to do so.

“I thought the same thing,” he says. “Shall we try another?”

They move to the honey and hazelnut, which they find to be a lovely blend of flavor and texture. After this one, Haru digs into her bag again and brings out a thermos of green tea. Goro raises an eyebrow.

“You’re certainly prepared, aren’t you?” he says with a smile, accepting a cup from her.

Haru smiles back.

“I just enjoy taking full advantage my personal outings,” she responds, sipping from her own cup. “I don’t…get them very often, you see.”

“Oh?”

Haru seems to hesitate before replying, looking as if she has already said too much. But Goro wants to know more about the member he knows least about (except, perhaps, the cat) and waits for her to continue instead of providing her a change of topic. She seems to deflate a little before squaring back up, rubbing a finger on the side of her cup absently.

“When father was…still alive…I was only allowed to interact with the people that he deemed appropriate. And after his passing, there are numerous things to deal with in regards to the company, and someone is often trying to find me for one reason or another. But it is more often than not that I cannot answer their questions, or do not have a detailed enough answer when I do…at present, everything is extremely stressful and it is difficult to find solace from it.” She falls quiet for a moment before smiling again, though it is weaker than her usual ones. “So quiet and peaceful outings are something of a treasure at the moment.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, averting his eyes. He’s not sure if it sounds genuine enough, just that it’s the right thing to say. “I interrupted such an outing today then, didn’t I?” Goro continues, looking somewhat apologetically at her.

“Not at all, I was the one who invited you, was I not? The company of friends is always appreciated.”

Goro pauses, his cup halfway to his lips. A friend? So she considers him a friend, his company appreciated. The feeling of being called as such is distinctly odd, and…also painful.

“Besides,” Haru says, quieter this time, “I said I wanted peace and quiet, but I did not mean silence. I’ve…had enough of silence.”

Goro thinks of his empty apartment and thinks he knows what she means.

The two of them are quiet, listening to the birds chatter and the distant voices of other parkgoers.

“By the way,” Goro says eventually, “This is very nice tea. It’s a bit different from standard green tea, isn’t it? Might I ask where you bought it?”

Haru smiles. “I’m glad you like it. It’s my own blend, actually. I can give you a tin of it the next time I see you, if you’d like.”

Goro inclines his head, surprised.

“I would…like that. I didn’t know you blended your own tea.”

Haru holds out the thermos and refills his cup.

“Uh-huh, it’s…a hobby, I suppose? I’ve grown to drink coffee more since we meet at Leblanc, but I suppose I’m more of a tea person in general. I keep about forty types at the house for different times of the day, you see, and I suppose when I was younger my curiosity got the better of me so I played around with the brews. I’ve gotten pretty good at it now, so if it’s tea, I can pair it pretty well, like the way Boss pairs his coffee with curry.”

Goro smiles.

“You’ll be formidable if you can also prepare coffee the way Boss does, if you’re his equivalent with tea,” he says, and Haru laughs, pink dusting her cheeks.

“I still have a lot to learn, but I hope to match Boss’ and Akira-kun’s skill one day,” she says. “Oh, if you have time, you should come join our lessons! Boss says you frequent Leblanc, and though it’s always lovely to be served a cup, it’s fun to know the process and details, too.”

Goro’s throat tightens, just a little. She includes him so easily, almost thoughtlessly, as if he might belong there, learning how to brew coffee with her, the owner of Leblanc, and Joker.

“Perhaps, if I have enough room in my schedule,” he demurs, taking a long drink of tea so that he doesn’t have to speak further.

Haru doesn’t press, and changes the topic to the flora around the park area, which she read about in a magazine, wondering if she might be able to add some of the flowers to her garden. Goro asks questions and learns that she grows vegetables on her school rooftop, and he permits himself a laugh at the thought of her breaking the school rules for such an innocent reason.

The time passes easily, and they decide to leave just before sunset. After they ride the train back to Shibuya, Goro offers to walk Haru home, which she politely declines.

“Scandal, you see,” she says apologetically, and a bit sadly. “I, uhm…the process of negating my marriage with Sugimura-san has been…overshadowed by company matters, at present.”

“Ah,” is all Goro says, and wonders if he might be disappointed that they are unable to continue their discussion on exotic plants. “Then…I wish you a safe journey home.”

“You as well. Thank you for today, I enjoyed our outing together,” Haru says with a warm smile, and walks a few steps before turning back to wave.

Goro waves back slowly, watching her silhouette disappear into the distance.

It was enjoyable, he realizes. Peaceful and relaxing. Usually he’s not one to sit around to relax—he prefers more physical exercises so that he doesn’t have to think. But while conversing with Haru, the dark thoughts were kept at bay just as easily, if not more easily. The thought is surprising. He spent quite a few hours with her today, and not once did he wish he hadn’t accepted her invitation.

Perhaps, then, this is what hanging out with friends was like, why his classmates and people in general want to meet up with others and spend the day together.

He feels strangely refreshed, pleased with today’s events.

He thinks he’ll try not to let this happen again.