Akira stood behind the counter at Lablanc, his back was turned to the door as he marveled at the variety of beans. It seemed as if there was more than the last time he had been there. "the coffee has been so popular I had to increase my stock" Sojiro yelled from the kitchen. As usual the older man already knew what was on Akira's mind.

There were so many choices, Akira became excited to try each one and have Sojiro teach him the perfect way to brew each type. He quietly wondered if He would finally be allowed to make his own blends. As simple as it seemed he was excited at the prospect of a quiet life filled with studies, his friends, and working at Lablanc. It was what he needed after the hell he faced alone the past year,

Akira was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of a familiar bell. A woman entered in through the front door she paused for a moment noticing Akira almost startled by his presence. She collected herself then strode up to the counter taking a seat right in front of where he was standing. "I'll have a Jamaican Blue Mountain" She said completely ignoring any pleasantries. She was different than he remembered. Something about her seemed calm… lighter, she was different in her demeanor This was not the woman who he had known a year ago. "In a hurry, as always I see Prosecutor Niijima" Akira gave a small smile. " I see your work ethic has not changed in the time I have been gone"

Sae paused trying to pick her words carefully as not to give him the upper hand "Actually it is SIU Director Niijima now. I see that your information is outdated Kurusu. I am surprised Makoto would have already told you. It happened shortly after you left to go back home."

Akira was taken aback by that last piece of information. It was true the Phantom Thieves and himself were not as close as they had been over the past year of his absence, but he was shocked that in all their conversations during his absence Makoto had never shared the news of her sister's promotion. Last he heard she had wanted to become a defense attorney, he still had the business card she gave him on his last day in Tokyo.

"That news is quite a surprise." He managed to finally say after silence that seemed like forever. "What happened to changing the lives of others from the other side of the courtroom? You had such high ideals when I left"

"I didn't think I would be able to go back to be honest. I was so jaded by my experience under the old regime and I know that I let it build a palace of desire in my heart that tore me from reality and from my sister. Yet this was my opportunity to make the rules, I wanted a sense of true justice to return to the SIU and I knew only I would be able to bring that change, so I accepted the position." She searched his face for approval. She wasn't sure why It mattered to much to her but she wanted him to know she was trying to do right by him, even if it wasn't in the way she had originally promised.

Akira opened his mouth to say something, at that moment Sojiro emerged from the kitchen with two large plates of curry. "Oh Niijima-san I didn't realize you were here." With that he slid a plate of curry in her direction and went back to the kitchen to make himself another plate, the wink he gave Akira on his way caused the young man to turn a shade pink.

Just as Akira finished Sae's coffee the door opened again. Makoto entered followed by Ann and Haru. "Hi Boss, I hope you don't mind…" Makoto stopped midsentence as she noticed Akira behind the counter casually handing her sister a cup of coffee and smiling. "AKIRA!" Ann yelled with a slight squeak, "we didn't think you would be back for another month." Akira quickly turned his head and noticed all three women staring at him he knew he was in trouble. He put his hand behind his head and blushed "yeah I asked Boss if I could come back and stay here for the month before I move across town for School. He was more than happy to put me back to work".

"I don't understand…why you didn't tell any of us you would be here early" Makoto growled as she set her stuff down in the first booth in the corner. Meanwhile Ann and Haru were more than happy to drop everything and tackle Akira behind the counter. Both of them were talking a mile a minute, Akira didn't know what questions to answer first. Sae was so enamored with the situation she let a small smile slip from her lips. It was a small crack in the mask of seriousness and duty she normally wore. It would have been completely lost in the moment if Makoto had not glanced in her sister's direction. She had never seen that look on Sae's face it was inquisitive but not in a serious way and there was a quiet joy about the look she had in her eyes as Akira picked himself off the floor laughing. It was a look Makoto knew well she had had it many times but had never acted on the feelings behind it. She caught herself staring at the scene before her Is she flirtingMaybe she is…nah… she would never Makoto quietly thought to herself.

Sojiro emerged from the kitchen again " I thought I heard more company it's a good thing I knew to make extra curry" He set down three plates at the middle booth. "there will be plenty of time for Akira to explain please have a seat and eat"

Sae finished her coffee realizing she felt a bit out of place. "I have to get back to the office. We are working on a big case. I will see you at home Makoto." She grabbed her bag to rush out the door "See you at home Sis" Makoto yelled after her. "Please come again soon SIU Director Niijima" Akira yelled from behind her as she opened the door and passed the threshold, it was disarming, she felt a slight burning in her cheeks as they turned red. this feeling…He is such a lothario… it would never work. I am sure he is just being a flirt for fun anyways. She rationalized as she closed the door and quickly walked away gain more composure with each step.

Ann, Haru, and Makoto looked at each other than boss, then Akira several times "what was that all about" Makoto asked demandingly as she looked Akira square in the eyes. "I was just being nice" he replied pushing his glasses back and smiling there was something in his grey eyes though that told a different story. "stop being so serious Mako-chan" Ann threw a napkin at her playfully. "I wish you would have told us you were coming back early, we could have had a party." Haru said hoping to defuse some of the tension. "Do the others know you are back?" Makoto snorted she was in full officer Niijima mode now.

Akira's face dropped, he knew that he should have told them he would be back but he couldn't bring himself to discuss the reasons why. He had struggled being home everything and everyone grew without him while he was away on probation. People he thought were his friends no longer trusted him, he threw himself into school and managed to secure a part time job even though he had a hard time finding anyone who would hire him. His parents made it worse, they tried to move on and ignore the whole incident which left him with so many questions. He just didn't fit anymore and when his relationships with his friends in Tokyo seemed to fall by the way side because people were busy with their lives he fell into depression. His once cocky exterior seemed to crumble under the weight of the world, he was drowning. So, he had asked Sojiro if he could move into the attic for a month it was the once place he felt at home and he needed a change in scenery. He couldn't bear to tell the others that he felt broken, and didn't want to be a burden on their lives… so he lied. "I was bored back home and made a last min decision to hop on a train. I literally called boss from the train to see if my room was available. Don't worry Makoto no one knew… I am not keeping secrets from you." He forced a smile hoping she wouldn't see through the mask he was wearing.

Makoto knew something was off in his story but let it go anyways, there would be another time to interrogate her good friend. At this point she knew the others just wanted to enjoy his company and she had a lot to think about now that he was back in town.

After everyone finished their curry Sojiro instructed them that he was going to close up early, but to enjoy the café until they were finished catching up. Akira gave him a nod indicating his thanks and relaxed into the booth. He felt normal for the first time in a long time as they talked will into the night about everything and yet nothing. It was like no time had passed, it was familiar, comfortable, and safe.

Makoto looked at her watch it was already 2:30 am "oh shit I have an 8 am forensics class. I didn't realize it was so late." "I am sorry I need to go home and get some sleep" She paused looking at his eyes "I was hoping we could talk some more after class if that will work with your schedule?"

"its ok, Boss said I could have the next few days off. I will come see you tomorrow let me know when you are done and I will meet you at your place in Shibuya" Akira looked into her eyes searching for a reason why she seemed so insistent to speak to him alone.

After Makoto departed Ann looked at Akira "That was really weird." She finally blurted out. "I have not seen her act that icy since she was stalking us around school trying to figure out if we were the phantom thieves."

Haru pulled out her phone and sent a text to Makoto

Are you ok?

No but hopefully I will be.

Is this about Akira being back?

Yes… I know something is up with him. I think he knows.

Talk to him it will be ok.

I just… How do I tell him about the past year… about why I abandoned him?

We all will need to have that discussion with him eventually. He will understand.

She furrowed her brow and put her phone back in her pocket. Haru knew now was not the time for deep conversations. "Akira do you think I could sleep here tonight, the trains have stopped running and I don't want to call my driver and wake him up." She stretched her arms and yawned as she got up to stretch her legs.

"Of course, Haru. Please take the bed upstairs."

She thanked him and retired upstairs.

Akira looked at Ann, "would you like me to get you a cab home or…" She stopped him mid-sentence "I don't have a shoot tomorrow. Let's talk it has been so long since we just sat together"

Ann told him about her life as a model. They talked about her struggles with breaking out in the industry, all the places she has traveled, and her continued love of crapes. When the subject hit relationships her eyes grew dark and quiet. He could sense sadness in her pause. "There is someone but they don't know. I have loved them forever but I honestly don't think they see me as anything more than a friend" She finally blurted out. "I have tried to move on to see other people but no matter where I go they keep a constant place in my mind. So, I have just thrown myself into my work… hoping one day it would be reciprocated." His eyes tried to search for a clue as to who this person might be but he could tell she had a hard-enough time confiding in him as it was, so he didn't push his luck. "Ann, I know some day either this person will come around or you will meet someone who will treat you with all the love and care you deserve." He said it sincerely hoping that she realized he thought the world of her.

Akira crossed to the other side of the booth and held Ann in a warm embrace knowing she was hurting and hoping he could ease her pain if only for a moment. She cried into his shoulder letting go of all her fear and anxiety, she knew she would have to be brave but tonight was not the night for that. Instead she laid her head on his should as the both drifted in and out of sleep content to be within each other's presence.

There they stayed until the sun began to rise over the café. As the Birds chirped outside they both knew it was time to come back to reality.

Ann rose and yawned "I think it is time for me to go to bed." "would you like me to walk you to the station?" Akira asked her warmly. "No, I think I can manage." Ann picked up her things and headed out. "it was nice to see you Akira" Ann beamed as she looked at him her blue eyes bright and happy.

Akira took a moment in silence to himself he reflected on his life. He knew it wasn't going to be easy but he was just happy to feel like he belonged again. As he drifted off to sleep he had no idea the challenges that awaited him and his friends over the next few months.

The relationships they had built with each other would be tested and pushed to the limit. They had withstood so much as the Phantom Thieves, he had risked everything for them and they for him, but this was different. Growing into responsibility as an adult and the emotional rollercoaster that would follow made infiltrating palaces and changing hearts look like a game.

Akira closed his eyes and fell asleep dreaming of all the possibilities he and his friends could achieve. For the moment that was more than enough to leave a smile on his face.