"Joker, hang in there!" Futaba's voice resounded in his head. Akira is running away from a group of shadows chasing after him in the Metaverse. It was a bad idea to split up today. Instead of broaden their search for the treasure, they get an injury to the waist instead. The shadows sure know how to aim, making the chosen wildcard hurriedly limping away. He is lucky to escape their grip as he fasten his pace. He is almost out of breath and about to collapse. Even so, Futaba encourages him.
"Hang in there, Joker! You're almost there!" Her voice resonated inside his mind.
Just when he is near the exit, a shadow behind spread its arm to catch him. With a leap to the front, Akira successfully return to the real world. He is now lying on the alley of a street. The pain he endured is too much to handle.
"I'm sure they will come to get me." The boy uttered before closing his eyes and fell into unconsciousness.
A grey haired boy with his casual clothes walking down the street leisurely. Looking around with his pair of grey eyes, he is astounding yet frustrated by the bustling environment of the city. Moving back to where he came from, he kind of wish he did not. He wants to spend more time with his friend in Inaba. There are more things he can do there with his friends but here, he is alone strolling around looking for something that can excites him. A dull life in a strict school, he wish his life can be more laid back. He sighs as he walks among the crowd. He almost fall when he trips over something, but he regains his stand quick. It is all thanks to his combat experience in the TV world that he is able to act on reflex. When he turns to look what it has been, he sees a body lying down on the street. He is covered in wounds and bruises, Yu is horrified by this sight. He is worried on his condition though all the passerbys do not even care to take a look at him, let alone tend to his injuries. As a kind man he has become, he decide it is best to help him out. After all, good deeds will be repay with blessing. He carries the man on his shoulder and brings him home.
Blink after blink, Akira's vision starts to clear up. He finally gain consciousness to know where he is and what has happened. He looks around the unfamiliar room he is in, it is a given he is in a stranger's house. Though he feels cautious, he cannot help but falls into slumber once he lay down on the comfy bed. The atmosphere around him makes him feel like home that he lowers his guard. As he continues to venture in dreamland, Yu shows up with a tray of beverage and food. He smiles upon realizing that the boy has changed his sleeping position.
"He sure is getting comfortable around here." He said in his heart.
The grey haired boy put down the tray at the bedside drawer. Once the rattling sound of the cutlery reaches Akira's ear, he gets up and faces Yu. This surprised them both that they are paused for a couple of second. Yu decides to engage first into a conversation.
"Hey, are you okay? How's your injury?" Yu asked, trying to hide his awkwardness.
"I'm fine, thanks for saving me." Akira replied.
"I cook up some porridge, it can help you refresh your body after that long sleep," the boy exclaimed.
"Thanks. You're a great help." Akira uttered.
Yu stands up and head towards the door. Before he exit, he takes one last glance at the stranger in his bed and smiles. It confuses Akira, but he feels warmth coming from him. He decides to get on with it and done with, he needs to leave this place before anything else happens like that boy discover he is one of the Phantom Thieves. It may sound ridiculous but most people he met can pick up on who he is. He really needs to watch his back more often. After he finishes the porridge in the bed, he gets ready to leave. Packing and gussy up, he take his steps to the living room. He is amazed at how spacious the house is. In the middle of the room, he sees the grey haired boy from before watching the TV. He notices Akira who is standing by the bedroom door and admonishes him.
"Leaving already?" Yu inquired.
Akira scratched the back of his head, "I have to leave or everyone will get mad at me for disappearing like that. After all, it feels like I'm hogging the place."
Yu snorted, "It's fine. After all, being a Phantom Thief sure is tiring."
Akira jolted at his last utterance. How could he have been found out that easily? He has the impression like he was in a fight he cannot win though the boy is not convinced. There was no news on TV about them too at the moment to suggest so. He stands firmly, staring at his grey eyes for answer. Yu is doing the same to him despite the tense aura he creates.
"How do you know that?" Akira uttered.
"Well, I'm just guessing but... I guess I'm lucky to have the talk of the town in my house." Yu replied with a smile.
Joker feels uncomfortable by his expression. He seems to comfort him though he feels threaten. The dark haired boy lets out a sigh before continuing their talk.
"What do I owe you?" He asked.
Confused, Yu tilts his head to the side as he raises an eyebrow in question.
"Well, you have helped me. And you know about me, what can I do for you?" He said again.
The grey haired boy contemplates a bit before a light of idea shines into his head. He stands up and go towards Akira.
"There is something you can do. If you're injured again, I'll heal you." Yu said.
"Huh? That's pretty troublesome." Akira exclaimed.
"My place isn't that far from Le Blanc café, you know. We can hang out anytime, or would you prefer me to go there instead?" Yu smiled, though there was an intimidating aura around him.
Akira knows if he refuses, he will be in trouble. He does not know how much this person know about him. He already know where he lives, who knows what he hides under that smile. Unlucky as a fool, he has shackles on his neck in a stranger's hand. He has a hard time agreeing to it. But in the end, he accepts it reluctantly. He does not have a choice. If he is exposed now, his friend will get dragged in.
"Great! Then I'll be seeing you again!" Yu said excitedly as he closes the door to his apartment, leaving Akira in the hallway.
The phantom thief walks home with a heavy heart. He has gotten involved with another strange person in his life. He prays to heaven that he can endure all the challenges face before him.
Back at the apartment, Yu is calling his friend in Inaba, Naoto. After a few ring, she answered. They exchange greetings and ask for each other well-being.
"Thanks for the info on the Phantom Thieves, Naoto." He said.
"No problem, senpai. I'll help as much as I can. Though you should be careful, problem tends to follow you anywhere you go. I hope you don't get lonely there." Naoto sighed.
Yu chuckled, "Don't worry. This time, I've picked up something interesting to play with."
The next day at Shujin Academy, Akira is worn out from last night battle in the other dimension. The shadows in that Palace is far more powerful than the last they encountered. After that last incident where they got careless separating, they decide it still is best to go together. Slow and steady win the race they said. He walks to school left and right, not walking properly caught Morgana's attention.
"Hey, what's wrong? You look tired." The black cat in his bag said.
Joker just shrugs it off not to worry him. He puts on a smile and pets him. Though he knows it will not convince him, he hopes it will. As he is walking, he sees a familiar figure before his eyes. Unbelievable at what he just saw, he rushes to the person and grabs him by the shoulder. This surprised him and makes him turns around, it is the same stranger that have helped him heal.
"You... What are you doing here?" Akira shocked.
"Oh, we went to the same school after all. So my hunch was correct." Yu stated.
"Hunch? I refuse to accept it was all a coincidence." Akira crossed his arms.
His face has changed from fatigue to annoyed, he cannot have his school life ruin too.
"Well, tell me then. How can a person like me heal you in one night?" Yu asked as he puts a finger across his smirk.
With that, he leaves the boy in his stirred mind. Akira rubs his forehead as he thinks on it.
"What did I get myself into?" He uttered in silence.
He leaves to school with confusion invading his mind.
[A short wildcardshipping fanfic, not that shonen ai-sh i guess. I kind of want to continue this. Let me know if you're interested.]