A Day in Their Shoes

Goro Akechi x Haru Okumara; Part 2

"A horror movie? How niche."

What the hell was he doing? He had already done his part in pleasing this girl's sadistic endeavors, so why was she keeping him around? Wasn't she angry?

"They have such a thrill to them! Though, I don't like to go alone...you coming certainly helps."

"Don't get comfortable."

The blood and gore of slasher films weren't Akechi's taste in the slightest. He far preferred the slow tension of 'Citizen Kane' or the dashing traction of 'Murder on the Orient Express'. But these films were quite the opposite, and he had quite enough of watching a bunch of sex-driven teenagers putting themselves in dangerous situations. After all, he did it every day. Meanwhile, her shock was one of absolution for the main characters, which were absolutely infuriating even more-so. For him to believe the worst was yet to come, he would have to see it with his own eyes. So he did.

"Come on! Show him a good time! You're not gonna make it to the hour mark anyways!"

That irritating voice. He had heard it before...where…?

"Yeah! There we go!"

Haru shielded her own eyes from the torso that appeared onscreen, but Akechi was no longer paying attention. Instead, he imagined every way he could kill the man in the front row without causing a scene. Little did he know, he was in this for the long run.

Perhaps the only relief that either Phantom Thief had received during this evening were the credits rolling. She stood. He followed. Neither one spoke a word until she sighed in satisfaction.

"That was fun!"

"An axe murderer reveling in the death of his victims. The pinnacle of entertainment."

"Well...I'm sorry you didn't enjoy yourself Akechi-san. I thought this was a pleasurable date."

"Date?!"

Once again, she took great contentment in his flustering, and he could see it in her eyes. Realizing that she had, once again, caught him off guard, he sulked like a child, furrowing his eyebrow and looking away. The night sky in Shibuya was dark; the movie had taken longer than he had expected. It was late. Not extraordinarily late, but late enough that trouble would show its face at a moment's notice.

"Haru?! Is that you?"

Both cocked their heads before turning and meeting the eyes of the scumbag before them. The very same that had annoyed them just moments ago.

"Hey baby! I haven't seen you in awhile...ready to make peace and come back to where you belong?"

He was tall, brown hair coated his eggshell of a head, with clothes just as pale, surrounded by friends just as unpleasant.. Repulsive was the only word that came to Haru's mind every time that she was in his presence.

"Go away Sugimura. I'm with a friend."

"Your friend? He's a bit lanky. How about you leave us alone pretty boy? We need to discuss some things as fiances would."

"I said no."

"Come on! Don't be such a bitch!"

"Look who's talking."

It had slipped from his mouth. He had reached his breaking point, and as all who have ever tampered with Goro Akechi would know, inducing his fury was no laughing matter.

"What was that?"

"Haru, forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I thought garbage day was on Tuesday or Friday, rather than Wednesday night. Why is it that it wasn't all collected?"

"You're asking for it."

"Hit me with your best shot. You'll only have one opportunity."

The first swing came from his colleague (how he had friends in the first place, Akechi had no idea), but was quickly neutralized by the Ace Detective, who simply manuevered out of his way before uppercutting him onto the cemented street, leaving a small puddle of blood at his feet. More cries of attack could be heard to his right, but he simply let his hand fly out of his pocket and into the jaws of common prep boys. What he did not see coming however, was the nearby brick that suddenly hit him in the back of the head.

"Akechi?!"

He had become careless and arrogant, forgetting about Sugimura completely. The laugh that came from the creature before him was both taunting and infuriating.

"Time to take out the trash as you put it."

Akechi saw red, not just due to his fury, but the blood exiting his scalp began to drip over his eyes. It didn't deter him in the slightest. Within seconds, Sugimura was on the floor, being ripped and beaten by his 'inferior'. He may have screamed a few words in between, but they weren't comprehensible in the slightest, being overshadowed by the sound of constant beating that came from Goro's fist against his face. It was only the sudden hand on his shoulder that put him to rest for just a moment. It was the last thing he felt before he plunged into darkness.

"Goro?"

His eyes flickered, he was barely able to think for a moment before the blinding light hit. As Haru's penthouse came into view, so too did the very same shining eyes that had annoyed him so much before.

"Hey…"

"I was so worried for a moment! I'm glad you're okay...I...didn't think I was as great at sewing as I previously believed."

Pain. Searing hot pain came from his splintered head, only attached together by the stitches Haru had applied.

"Thanks…"

"Looks like Ren was right."

Ren? What the hell did he have to do with any of this? His mind began to stir, but it was only when recognition joined with realization that it all made sense: this was what she wanted.

"So...have you figured it out yet?"

"You knew...you knew Sugimura would be in that theater…"

"Correct! Ren wanted to test your loyalties...I must say, he will be quite impressed.'

Haru's part in all of this was orchestrated, not to say she didn't enjoy watching her ex-fiance being beaten to a bloody pulp. Quite the opposite actually. It was quite the warm feeling, but the one thing she couldn't describe: why she wouldn't have anybody else to do the deed. Ren was too defined, too heroic. Ryuji might, but he would probably have received a beating much more severe. Even Makoto might have backed down. But Akechi? He stepped in, immediately soaking in the action, and for reasons she couldn't describe, she wouldn't have it any other way.

"He was an annoyance...I was simply giving him what he deserved."

"Well...allow me to return the favor."

The pain stung even more as she applied alcohol to the wound causing Akechi's teeth to grit.

"That was for killing my father."

Akechi smirked, turning his face innocently, a facade that would never last.

"I already apologized."

"Further proving Ren's point...I think you're softening up!"

Suddenly his hand outstretched, grabbing Haru by her throat and pegging her against the wall just as quickly as he had recovered.

"Not entirely. My loyalty-"

"Is to whoever benefits you?"

"Exactly."

"Well then...perhaps it's time someone besides Ren gave you reason to stay."

Barely able to move, a small peck reached Akechi's cheek, startling him instantaneously. His grip softened, allowing her to drop to the floor, red marks still around her neck.

"This is for protecting me…"

The lights slowly dimmed as Akechi was softly pushed onto her bed, allowing her to take complete control. Within minutes, he was without regret, remorse, or any other negative emotion. The ocean beneath her only satiated by his gentle touch, his own body responding positively to the intake. What wasn't to enjoy?

"After all...after a good date…"

"Just shut up."

Fin