The delicate ding of a bell was nothing out of the ordinary as Akira entered Leblanc after a long afternoon. Yet, the vibrating sound never failed to alert the owner, and this time was no exception. As the pitch rolled through the air with ease, that ever-present, balding head twisted with vigor – and anger.

"Hey! Just where the hell have you been?" the owner barked, with a tone just a tad more rough than normal.

"Sorry Sojiro, hanging with the gang went a bit long," Akira said with an embarrassed hand scratching the back of his head, "Promise it won't happen again."

"Whatever." Sojiro mumbled back, disinterested in the youth suddenly before him. He'd had a lengthy day himself, filled with customers and crap of varying degrees, and he wasn't too interested in whatever the frizzy-haired fellow had to say. "Just, stay out of the way. It's been a long day and I don't need you making it any more of a mess."

"Anywhere I can help out?" Akira countered, trying to lighten the mood of the dampened atmosphere. With a lack of customers and a messy counter, Akira figured Sojiro wouldn't possibly turn down some help. After all, Akira always liked listening to the ladies' man rant on about customers or what he thought about the latest Phantom Thieves' activity. The different perspective helped him stay fresh on what others thought about the Thieves – especially helpful coming from a member of an older generation.

"Actually, kid, there is something you can do for me." Sojiro replied, throwing his cleaning rag into the dirty receptacle. "Make me a damn cup of coffee. I've been making it all damn day, and I just want to sit back and relax, and enjoy my own cup for once!"

With that, Sojiro dragged around the corner and plopped down on one of the Leblanc booths, slapping his head down on the table almost immediately with a painful klunk. Akira wondered if he would even be awake when the requested coffee was finished.

Either way, with Sojiro's frustrated eruption over with, he headed around the coffee counter and began to scout the terrain before him.