Hello once again everyone! First off, a warning. My wifi recently has been absolutely terrible. And by terrible, I mean it's not working at all. It's gotten to the point where I'm using data to post this chapter on time. But the point of this, and the actual warning, is that due to my awful internet, I have less chapters to post. Right now, I have four chapters typed and ready to go and I have started on the fifth. But I wanted to have the fifth done last week and work on the sixth this week, which didn't work out. The point is, is that this will effect the amount of chapters I have. Hopefully, I can keep this weekly update schedule going, but I thought you guys needed an explanation early on if I ran out of chapters.
Anyways! Thanks to TwilightKnight17 (thanks so much for your reviews! I'm glad you enjoy what I've done so far and I can't wait to see how the rest goes for you!) and RosyMiranto18 (thanks for your review! I answered all of your questions and please feel free to continue them, they're so fun!) for reviewing, all 17 followers, 11 favorites and 1,239 readers!
Now, one final note! This chapter actually has a fun alternate title I gave it! I call it 'The Chapter of Cameos'! You guys will probably easily spot each one, I'm not subtle at all, but let's see if you guys catch them, as well as a few of my preferred primary Persona pairings (yes, I have sub pairings for a lot of characters, the ones hinted are simply the ones I enjoyed from watching the games my first time. For example, my sub pairing for Akira is Akira/Goro, if you count this story's Akira pairing. If you don't count it, then my sub Akira pairing is Akira/Ann). And, of course, Akira's parents are finally named! Kudos to RosyMiranto18 for guessing them (and thank you to TwilightKnight17 for discussing the backstory with me XD)
Okay, that's all for now. Enjoy!
The last thing Miku expected when she collapsed on her bed that same night was to open her eyes only to find herself sitting on a blue velvet couch and surrounded by darkness that appeared to be water.
"Good evening." A voice greeted her.
Miku's head whipped around, finding a young boy standing behind her. The boy had short black hair and intense blue eyes, wearing what appeared to be a prison uniform.
And yet, he smiled at her, as if nothing was wrong.
"I-what?" Miku stuttered, confused.
"It's been a while since I've done something like this." The boy chuckled as he walked around so he stood in front of her, staring directly into her deep blue eyes, darker and yet just as striking as his own. "And I had never thought it would be with you…"
"With me?" Miku repeated, furrowing her brow. "What are you talking about? What's going on?"
"We're deep in your consciousness right now." The boy explained, a bright smile on his face and his eyes seeming to light up. "Your body is in a deep sleep right now, but your soul came here to talk to me."
"But why? This doesn't make sense." The silver haired girl said.
"That's because I haven't told you who I am." The boy chuckled, as if his name held all the answers. "My name is Pharos, I'm an old friend of your cousin's."
"Minato?" Miku repeated, eyes widening.
"Yep!" The boy, Pharos, grinned as he clapped his hands together excitedly. "He and I were friends for ten years before I had to leave. But I came back to him eventually. And now, it's my turn to be with you!"
"But I still don't understand, Pharos." Miku shook her head. "Why would you need to be with me? And why now of all times?"
"Cause you learned the truth and you visited my grave. You called for my help, so I am here to do so." Pharos stated, his face and voice suddenly entirely serious.
"Wait, what-" The girl started to say.
"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate…entrusting his fate to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yes, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed…beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are…Death awaits you." Pharos recited as a blue card suddenly appeared in his hand. He knelt down and gently placed the card into Miku's hand. "This is my Arcana, the first one of mine and the thirteenth overall."
Carefully, Miku turned the card over, staring at the skull emblazoned on the front.
"Your heart longs for me to take you away as Death, but your soul longs for me to leave you as you are." Pharos explained as he gently held Miku's free hand in his own. "The Death Arcana not only symbolizes the end, but deep change and metamorphosis, regeneration and cycles. Minato taught me that I wasn't just the end of all things, that there was more to me than I believed. So, I will return the favor and show you that there is more than what you long for."
"But…I don't know if I can do this…if I can find a reason to live…" Miku whispered, feeling tears well in her eyes. There was something about this boy that just made her trust him entirely, as if she knew deep down that he would never hurt her, never betray her, never leave her as so many others did.
"I know it's difficult, but that's okay." Pharos smiled softly as he rubbed his thumb on the back of Miku's hand. "If Minato could find a reason to live, if I could find a reason to believe I am more than Death, than you can find your reason, your answer, too."
"Okay…I believe you." Miku nodded as she wiped her tears away. The tarot card vanished from her grasp as Pharos' smile brightened even further.
"I'm glad!" He squeezed her hand. "I think you'll live up to your Arcana very well."
"What is my Arcana?" Miku asked, curious.
"Ah, ah, ah! No spoiling the ending!" Pharos wagged his finger at her, as if he was scolding her. "Once you reach my human appearance, you'll know your Arcana."
"Your human appearance?" Miku repeated.
"Yep! My appearance reflects your heart, basically." Pharos explained. "So, because I look like this right now, your heart longs for Death. This appearance I have now is the one Minato thought of when he thought of Death. Well, this and one other one."
"Are you going to show me that other one?" Miku asked, already expecting the answer.
"No way! You'll get scared, and I don't want to scare my new friend!" Pharos laughed. "Besides, my having this appearance also promises that you can improve. If you had no hope of recovering from your longing of Death, I'd be in my other form off the bat."
"So, because I want to find a reason to live, you look like this? Even though I doubt I can find it?" Miku clarified.
"Exactly! See, I knew you'd get it!" Pharos grinned. "Now, enough talk about Death. Come on, let's go play!"
With that, the little boy dragged her off the blue velvet couch and further into the darkness, the two running on the dark surface of the water below them. Pharos showed her all kinds of tricks with the bubbles that rose from the water and proved that, yes, he was actually Death and he proved it by speaking the oldest languages on Earth, never mind that Miku had no way to prove that other than his word.
He told her about his time with Minato and she told him about her life in return. She let him listen to her headphones, so he could compare her music to Minato's. When he found they had almost the exact same taste in music, he whined that she was basically a female Minato with his hair and eye color reversed.
They played all sorts of games and spent the night laughing like old friends. After the fight Miku had somehow managed to get through against Shadow Kamoshida, fun like this was exactly what she needed.
When she began to feel lighter, she looked down only to see her hands turning into motes of light.
"Looks like it's time to say goodbye." Pharos said sadly. "You'll have to be careful now, you and your friends aren't out of danger when it comes to Personas yet. Be careful around certain adults and trust your heart, okay? This ordeal was only the first of the more to come. And after every one, I'll be here for you."
Miku couldn't reply as she suddenly turned into many motes of light and vanished, only to wake up in her bed in the real world. She turned on her phone and stared at the screen.
It was April 26th. They had six days left until Ryuji, Goro, Akira and Mishima were expelled.
Akira honestly could say he was shocked by the news Kawakami delivered to him and Ryuji.
Kamoshida putting himself under suspension…he really, really hoped that they hadn't ended up messing him up.
As Kawakami walked away, Akira could hear whispers surrounding him, all about the news surrounding Kamoshida.
"Mr. Kamoshida…put himself under suspension just before the rally…that's odd…" A girl with brown hair with a braided headband and red eyes whispered to herself as she walked past the two second years.
To distract himself, he ended up hanging out with Ryuji, working out behind the gym. They ran around and talked, both serious and light-hearted topics. It was fun and nice to talk to someone who believed in him without even questioning him.
Sure, Goro and Miku believed in him, but they were his childhood friends, so they knew him before the assault charge had been added to his record. They believed in him without question, but it was nice knowing that even with the charge on his record, he could still make loyal and good friends like Ryuji.
Once he finished up with Ryuji, Akira made his way to Cat Street, finding WildKat easily this time. As he entered, he smiled as he saw Miku behind the counter, alongside Mr. and Mrs. H while Goro sat at the counter, working on homework.
"Hey." Akira greeted as he sat beside the brunette third year.
"Hello." Goro smiled pleasantly as he returned to his work.
"Hi Kira." Miku smiled. "I heard that your guys' expulsion might be repealed."
"That's what Ms. Kawakami said." Akira confirmed. "Hopefully it goes through."
"All we have is hope." Goro sighed, his tone showing his worry.
"Hey, don't give up yet. It'll be fine, and you'll be able to keep helping both your sister and Miku." Akira encouraged.
"I don't need a babysitter!" Miku whined as she slid a cup of coffee towards her best friend.
"Chika-san says otherwise." Goro smirked as he sipped his own coffee.
"Careful, Caramel." Mr. H spoke up with a smirk. "Phones Jr.'s feistier then most baristas are on the job."
"And it helps if us managers turn a blind eye." Mrs. H winked.
"See, they're on my side!" Miku grinned triumphantly.
"You're the little sister of her brother's best friend, of course they're on your side." Goro rolled his eyes.
"Well, in that case, I'll take your side." Akira teased as he nudged the brunette's arm. "That evens the odds a bit more."
"You'll never take us down! Remember, I've got two people on my side that also know about the UG!" Miku whispered.
"And I've got a detective on my side! The UG can't beat the power of deduction!" Akira whispered with a bright grin.
Finally, Goro started laughing at their ridiculousness. Soon, Miku and Akira joined in. It felt nice to laugh, despite the stress all three of them were under at that moment.
That night, after Sojiro began to teach him how to make coffee and work at Leblanc, Akira texted his two childhood best friends.
Akira: Looks like I'm gonna be a barista too. Sojiro-san practically hired me as a part-timer.
Miku: Welcome to the club!
Goro: Is there something wrong with me if both of my childhood friends are baristas?
Miku: You work as a barista occasionally too!
Akira: So, we're a trio of baristas now…
Miku: Goro's adopted dad would be so proud!
Goro: Mr. H too.
Akira: Oh, almost forgot, I bought an old TV. Got a good deal on a tuner and DVD player too. I need to fix it up a bit, but once I do you guys can come over.
Miku: We can watch Lord of the Rings! And the Hobbit! Morgana will love them!
Goro: Morgana?
Akira: The cat I found on the streets a week ago.
Goro: Well, you always did like cats.
Miku: Even more so cause your uncle was allergic to them.
Akira: Haha, you're both hilarious.
Miku: Takes one to know one!
Goro: Takes one to know one.
Akira: Really…? Did you have to text at the same time?
Goro: Yes.
Miku: Yes! ;P
Akira: Love you both *rolls eyes*
Friday the 29th found Akira with his first free day since they secured their infiltration route. His time had been spent being spread out between training with Ryuji (the encounter with the former track team members still made Akira mad for Ryuji's sake), studying either in the library or with Miku and Goro in WildKat, working on the secondhand TV he bought, visiting Takemi (nobody knew about those "clinical visits" and he planned to keep it that way. Miku would kill him if she found out.) and working with Sojiro.
Today, however, he had all to himself, even more so since there was no school. So, he decided to just sit at the corner of Central Street and just people watch. It was relaxing, honestly, and he enjoyed it. The wind blew through his hair gently and he let out a sigh.
"You seem to be enjoying this." Morgana commented, watching Akira carefully.
"Well, yeah. Back in Inaba and Sumaru, I used to people watch all the time. Papa and I would always try and guess the lives everyone lived. Sometimes we were serious about it, but a lot of the time we just did it for fun and made outrageous stories." Akira explained.
"Oh, I see…" Morgana nodded in understanding.
Akira smiled as his eyes trailed over the people walking around.
There was a red haired woman, she was probably on the richer side if the way she held herself was any indication. There was a brunette woman beside her holding her hand and a shopping bag. They looked very close, though the brunette was pulling the redhead along with a grin.
There was a man with black hair and what looked like a piercing in his ear that was catching the sunlight. He looked pretty cool, if you asked Akira. He was walking beside a man wearing a motorcycle helmet, a no. 1 emblazoned on his back.
There was a pair of brunettes, a man and a woman, walking alongside a silver haired man and a black haired woman. The brunette woman and man with silver hair were holding hands as were the brunette man and ravenette woman as the four of them talked. They seemed close, as if they had known each other for years.
There was a boy not much older than Akira was, with dark blue hair in a style similar to his Papa's. He was sketching in the notebook he held as he looked around Central Street, as if he wanted to capture everyone on it within his art for the rest of time. He looked focused, maybe this was for a school project he was working on?
Akira shrugged it off as he continued observing everyone on Central Street.
So many people and so many stories…and nobody really bothers to look at anyone else…
His eyes always were attracted to those who looked like they were close to others. It was harder to find people like that in the city than it was in Inaba though…
When Sunday came, Akira walked down the stairs only to instantly be tackled to the ground.
"Akira!"
"You're really here!"
Two voices chimed in unison as Akira regained his bearings and blinked only to find his two young cousins on top of him.
"Tsuki, Hibiki, get off your cousin!" A voice chuckled in amusement.
"Sorry, Dad!" The girl, Tsuki, apologized as she stood up. Hibiki followed her, the two finally allowing Akira to get up, grinning at them as he messed up their hair.
"Hey, guys. It's good to see you." Akira greeted them.
"You too! We missed you!" Hibiki grinned, bouncing on his heels. The ten year old boy had straight black hair that hung slightly in his eyes and warm brown eyes. He wore a black long sleeved shirt with Feather Red on the front, his favorite Featherman (something his uncle supported far too much in his father's opinion), jeans and red sneakers.
"Mama wouldn't let us come see you sooner. She said we needed to let you settle in." Tsuki sighed, a disappointed look on her face that quickly shifted to a grin as she hugged Akira again. The thirteen year old girl had curly brown hair that reached her shoulder blades and shining amethyst eyes. She wore a dark purple jacket over a white shirt that had a small pink heart where a left breast pocket would be (for some reason most people in their family still didn't understand, she fell in love with her mother's old jacket, so she always had a tiny heart in the same area), jeans and brown boots.
"Sorry bout that." Akira chuckled. "I've been busy."
"So, we've heard." Maya grinned as she leaned against the counter. "Why don't you show us your room, Akira-kun?"
"Sure. You guys wanna check out my room?" Akira asked his cousins.
"Let's go!" Hibiki grinned as he ran towards the stairs.
"Hibiki, slow down!" Tsuki yelled as Akira laughed, the two of them on his heels.
"You've got a big room, Akira-kun." Maya commented as she looked around the attic. "But you don't have too many decorations."
"I'm working on it." Akira smiled sheepishly. "I need to earn some money first."
"You have a TV?!" Hibiki cried in shock, startling the two.
"Yeah, DVD player too." Akira nodded. "I've fixed it up, so it works good now. I just don't have anything to watch and nothing's on TV right now."
"Mama doesn't let us have a TV in our room." Hibiki whined.
"Cause we don't need one." Tsuki reminded him. "Your toys are everywhere."
"So are your books!" Hibiki pointed out.
"What's Uncle Katsuya doing talking to Sojiro-san?" Akira asked curiously.
"He likes coming here too, he and Sojiro-san are as good of friends as Sojiro-san and I are!" Maya grinned.
"Akira has a cat!" The younger cousins suddenly cried in unison. Turning, Akira's eyes widened as he saw Morgana climb out of the bag he had set on his bed.
"Morgana!" Akira cried as he dove for the cat. It was too late…the damage was done.
Within seconds, Katsuya Suou was in the attic and searching for the cat.
"Oh no…" Akira groaned, waiting for the inevitable petting and then sneezing that was going to occur.
Sure enough, Katsuya ran over and began to pet Morgana, who grumbled the whole time. Akira, however, held his breath tightly as he watched his uncle carefully.
It didn't seem as if his allergies were acting up…
"My allergies aren't acting up…" Katsuya said in awe. "I can pet a cat and my allergies won't act up…this is a miracle!"
"Calm down, honey." Maya laughed as she walked over and hugged her uncharacteristically excited husband from behind. "I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to pet Akira-kun's cat later."
"Our turn! Our turn!" Tsuki and Hibiki chanted.
"Sure, go ahead." Katsuya smiled as he let his children take their turn petting Morgana, who continued to whine until Tsuki found that spot and he proceeded to melt like the cat he was.
"So, Uncle Katsuya, what new case are you working on?" Akira asked curiously.
"I've been assigned to those mental shutdown cases with that Detective Prince kid and Prosecutor Niijima." Katsuya answered. "I want to catch this guy, but at the same time, he's left nothing behind."
"I'm sure you'll get him, you got JOKER after all." Maya smiled. "Think positive, okay?"
"I am, but that one was with your help, as well as the others'." Katsuya chuckled as he squeezed his wife's hand. "I may have to call your dad in for this one, Akira."
"Really? Dad would come to Tokyo?" Akira asked, his eyes wide. He hadn't admitted it aloud, but he really did miss his parents, a lot. Sure, they talked basically every night, when Morgana wasn't rushing Akira to bed that is, but it wasn't the same as sitting down with them at dinner and just talking about their days.
"Once in a while, yeah. I doubt he'd want to leave your papa, though." Katsuya nodded. "They'd probably visit a bit in the summer to help out, when Jun's no longer working."
"That'd be great! We haven't seen Uncle Tatsuya and Uncle Jun in forever!" Tsuki piped up from where she was cradling Morgana in her arms.
Morgana, on his part, was not protesting in the least, simply purring and oh, was Akira going to remind him of this once they were alone.
"It'd be like the whole family was together again!" Hibiki added.
"Now, now, we'd still be missing your Grandma, Grandpa, Lisa-chan, Eikichi-kun, Yuki, Ulala and Baofu-san." Maya reminded them.
"Why's everyone so spread out…?" Akira, Tsuki and Hibiki whined in unison on cue, causing the two adults to chuckle in amusement.
"Alright, why don't we leave the poor cat alone and go outside, maybe see a movie?" Katsuya offered.
"Yay!" Akira, Tsuki and Hibiki all cried together, their grins bright like the sun. Akira had always joined his younger cousins in on their cheering, it always amused them to see someone older than them (though Tsuki argued three years wasn't that much older) still acting like a kid and it meant Akira still got to have fun.
With Katsuya and Maya leading the way out, Akira grasped his cousins' hands in his own, swinging them back and forth as they made their way to Central Street to catch a movie.
It was gonna be a good day, Akira could tell. And it was exactly what he needed on the day before he, Goro, Ryuji and Mishima were supposed to be expelled.
Akira could feel his heart pounding as he stood next to Ryuji, Miku and Goro at the assembly. He could see Ann standing closer to the stage and Mishima further in the back.
Though Akira knew both his glasses and his stoic expression hid his nerves well enough, he could feel the fear clinging to his heart and it felt like his insides were quivering.
He hadn't felt like this since he was alone in that interrogation room, waiting for his dad to come get him. He had felt so helpless than…nobody, but his parents and Detective Dojima had believed in him, everyone had turned their backs on him, all except for his family friends.
He could feel that same helplessness now as he stood in the gym and realized this could be his last day at Shujin.
The whispers surrounding them questioned and theorized why the assembly was needed. When the suggestion that it was about Suzui's suicide came up, Akira subtly glanced at Miku, who stood beside him on his left.
Her headphones were firmly over her ears, her eyes staring straight at the stage and her face was entirely blank. If anyone glanced at her, she'd glare at them with the iciest blue eyes Akira had ever seen. Goro had moved so he was standing somewhat behind her, supporting her.
Without thinking, Akira's hand gently wrapped around Miku's wrist, trying to support her in his own way.
The look Ryuji sent him gave off a very different message, even if he did bite his tongue on any comments towards Miku's expression.
"Let's begin this school-wide morning assembly." Principal Kobayakawa said as he reached the podium in the center of the stage. "As you all know, a tragic event took place the other day."
"And why are we bringing it up now?" Miku snapped, her voice dry. Yet, Akira felt the twitch of her fingers through her wrist and reassuringly rubbed his thumb against her wrist while Goro delicately, yet strongly grasped her shoulder.
"Thankfully, we have been informed that she has pulled through, but it will take time until she recovers." Kobayakawa continued. "Everyone here has a bright future ahead. I implore that you rethink the importance of life and-"
Just then, the gym door opened with a slam, drawing the students' attention.
Akira's eyes widened.
Kamoshida stood near the door, his head downcast.
"Mr. Kamoshida, what's the-" Kobayakawa started to ask.
"I…have been reborn." Kamoshida stated quietly as he cut the principal off. "That is why I will confess everything to you all…"
The guilt-ridden gym teacher made his way to the stage and Akira felt his breath catch in his throat. He could feel the shock in Miku's body, could see Ryuji's wide eyes, Goro's narrowed ones and could hear Ann's whisper of shock.
"I have repeatedly done things that were…unbecoming of a teacher." Kamoshida confessed. "Verbally abusing students…physically abusing my team, and…sexually harassing female students. I am the reason why Shiho Suzui tried to kill herself!"
Kamoshida collapsed to his knees and bowed his head as he began to cry. Whispers rose up around Akira, but he barely heard them.
"I thought of this school as my own castle…there were even students I sentenced to expulsion, simply because I didn't like them…" Kamoshida confessed. "I will, of course, rescind those…"
Akira saw Ryuji relax and felt it as the tension left both Miku and Goro's shoulders. He felt his own shoulders drop as he leaned closer to Miku.
"I am truly sorry for putting innocent youths through such horrible acts…" Kamoshida apologized as he continued to cry. "I am an arrogant, shallow…and shameful person. No, I'm worse than that…I will take responsibility and kill myself for it…!"
As he spoke, Kamoshida bowed so his forehead was pressed to the floor of the stage.
Akira felt Miku's fingers twitch once again and saw Goro squeeze her shoulder as he rubbed his thumb on her wrist.
Her expression did not change.
"Mr. Kamoshida! Please get off the stage for now!" Kobayakawa begged as he ran to Kamoshida's side.
"Everyone, return to your classes!" A teacher instructed.
"I-" Kamoshida whispered pitifully.
"Don't run, you bastard!" Ann shouted, gaining the attention of the whole room. "Shiho's still alive even after all the things that made her want to die! You have no right to run from this!"
"You're right…you're absolutely right…" Kamoshida choked out as he sat up. "I should be punished under the law and atone for my crimes…I did horrible things to Takamaki-san, as well. In return for giving Suzui-san a position on the team…I tried to force her into having relations. As of today, I will resign from my position as an instructor and turn myself in. Someone, please call the police!" Kamoshida was begging, looking around with desperate eyes.
"Wow…" Ryuji whispered, shocked.
"I don't believe this…" Akira admitted.
Miku was silent while Goro simply hummed.
"This morning's assembly is over! Return to your classes immediately!" A teacher instructed. He was then ignored as the students continued to whisper amongst themselves. "Return to your classrooms at once!"
Goro took Miku aside as soon as the gym started to empty. Akira had tried to follow them, but Ryuji had dragged him off to talk to Ann. Miku didn't blame him, they needed to make sure Ann was okay and discuss the change of heart.
Goro was very careful with her, as always, talking her down from the thoughts whirling in her mind.
When she could focus again, she let out a silent breath of relief and tried to smile reassuringly at Goro.
Goro looked as if he didn't believe her (honestly, she probably wouldn't believe herself either in his shoes), so he went to the gym and Akira came out to take this place.
"Goro's going with Ann to see Suzui-san. He's fine." He whispered as he carefully took her hands in his own, tracing her knuckles with his thumbs.
"Okay…" She whispered back.
Slowly, Akira drew Miku into his arms and held her tightly. Miku wrapped her arms around Akira's neck, her face buried in his neck.
They didn't plan to move any time soon.
Ann found herself smiling, despite the somber mood that wouldn't quite leave her alone.
It was strange, but…having Akechi there just made it so much easier to bear the weight that rested on her shoulders. It was like…he was sharing the burden.
This companionship they shared was something she was coming to treasure.
Just like always, Ann sat beside Shiho, holding her hand, while Akechi sat in the chair beside Shiho's bed. Mr. and Mrs. Suzui had gone home briefly to rest up and change, since they had been at the hospital all night.
They were discussing the latest Featherman episode, something Ann would never let Ryuji know about in a million years, when Ann felt it.
The tiniest squeeze of her hand.
"Shiho?!" Ann cried, not believing it, yet hope surged through her regardless.
And sure enough, Shiho's eyes were slowly blinking open.
"Shiho!" Ann cried in relief, feeling tears form in her eyes.
"Ann…?" Shiho whispered, her voice weak from being asleep for so long.
"I'm here, Shiho!" Ann nodded, feeling Akechi's hands gently rest on her shoulders as he whispered a greeting to Shiho as well. "Kamoshida confessed to what he did…he'll never hurt you again."
"Ann…I'm sorry…" Shiho whispered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Ann shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"Ann…" Shiho whispered, her voice fading as she slowly fell back asleep, her body weak mentally and physically.
Ann continued to cry, clutching Shiho's hand as a smile of relief forming on her face. Akechi loosely wrapped his arms around her shoulders, offering her support and yet letting her stand on her own.
"Thank you, Akechi-kun." Ann whispered, purposefully changing the honorific from 'senpai'.
"You're welcome…Takamaki-chan." Akechi whispered, his arms tightening for a minute before they relaxed again.
Mr. and Mrs. Suzui found the two of them like that once they returned.
The next day, all the news spoke about was the incident at Shujin Academy involving Suguru Kamoshida.
This was exactly one of those reports that a young man, no older than seventeen, was watching as he waited for his companions.
The boy had long black hair that was neatly pulled back into a pony tail, though several strands fell into his eyes and framed his face, and piercing icy blue eyes. He wore a dark blue Belstaff coat and a gray scarf over his school uniform and carried a briefcase in his hand.
"Henso-kun, I hope you weren't waiting long." A female voice said.
Turning, the young man, Kuro Henso, smiled slightly.
"Not at all, Sae-san, I was simply listening to the report." He smoothly replied.
"The one about Kamoshida-san, yes?" The woman, Sae Niijima, clarified as she looked at the report in interest. "I heard about that from my sister, she was quite shocked."
"But of course. Such an awful man in that school." Kuro shook his head in disappointment. His voice, however, was detached and contained little emotion. He turned, his eyes meeting those of the man standing beside Sae. "I don't believe we have met. I'm Kuro Henso."
"Detective Katsuya Suou." The man, Katsuya, introduced himself as he shook the young man's hand. "I'll be working with you on the mental shutdown case."
"Speaking of which, we should go review the case." Sae stated.
"Of course. Lead the way, Niijima-san." Katsuya encouraged. Kuro simply nodded in agreement.
"Follow me then, I know a restaurant we can meet in and my car isn't too far from here." Sae said as she led the way to her car.
Katsuya followed her right away, but Kuro stayed behind as he turned back to the still playing report.
"Something about this seems…odd…" He whispered to himself before he followed his associates quietly.
And now, at last, I can proudly introduce the name of our mysterious Sleuth! Everyone, please welcome Kuro Henso, the new Second Coming of the Detective Prince! And, for the record, his name is a pun, so let's see if anyone can figure it out!
Also, you'll notice Kuro is EXTREMELY different from canon Akechi. This was done on purpose, he is Goro's replacement in role only, not in personality. His influence is also both similar yet different from canon Akechi's, as a small hint.
Now, as for Pharos' appearance at the beginning, that scene is in Miku's consciousness and Ryoji/Pharos is most certainly DEAD as of this point in time. He can communicate with her because she reached a deeper consciousness then most people do and Pharos/Ryoji, being Death personified, took advantage of that to talk to her. These conversations are going to help show Miku's development, which is why I included them.
And this chapter had Akira gain points in his Justice and Aeon Confidants, but they did not Rank Up. I will briefly reference other Confidants, maybe even change some of them who knows?, but I will leave them alone otherwise.
From now on, this will establish a pattern. After each boss chapter, I will chronicle the week that follows and end the chapter with the confession usually, including the times when Miku will go to Iwatodai during the week of waiting.
Okay, that's all I need to say. How many cameos did you guys catch? I hope you enjoyed this chapter regardless! Bye bye!
