Wow, one of the longest chapters I've written! I guess you deserve it after coping with my irregular updates :D My schedule is looking much better now, at least until the end of August. From September on, I'm going to be super busy again! Plus, I'm going on holiday to LA in September, so I really need to try and write as much as possible now that I have some spare time.

Anyway, enough chit-chat! Here's a brand-new chapter for you all! A loooot happens here, so take notes! xD

The truth was that she was angry. Pissed off, to be precise. Not at anyone in particular but herself.

She vaguely remembered being gently picked up by someone and forced to rush out of the room as the sirens kept wailing. Someone was saying something, someone else was agreeing and suddenly the cacophony all around them ceased. She was breathing fresh air. They were back in the real world.

And now she was back in her room- hardly remembering how she had gotten there in the first place- lying flat on her bed and ignoring her sister knocking on her door every now and then to make sure she was still there, or if she needed anything. "Yes" she thought bitterly "I need him back."

She needed to tell him how stupid she had been for wasting all the time they had spent alone with small talk instead of confessing how she really felt for him. But then again, she realized how much she really cared for him only when it was too late, when he sacrificed himself to allow them to escape. Only when she heard Futaba's words did she realize she loved him. Deeply and sincerely, and probably for much longer than she had ever known. She wasn't even sure how it had happened, but somehow, between the constant bickering, the school field trip to Hawaii and the little time he had spent as a member of the Phantom Thief, she had fallen for him. And now she didn't even care he might not feel the same for her. All she wanted was having him know it, because she had the desperate need to tell him. And now it was too late. She'd never see him again, talk to him or hear that chuckle of his that made her heart skip a beat every time.

Why had she simply watched him die? Why hadn't she stopped cognitive Akechi when she had the opportunity to? If she had been a little bit braver, even partly as courageous as he was, he'd still be alive. And instead, she had chosen to spend the last moments together being angry at him for nothing. She had decided to be jealous of Tamiko Fujikawa and ruin the last few hours they had left, ignoring him each time the boy had tried to approach her and explain what was really happening. And then she let him die. How much dumber could she be?

"Makoto, dinner's ready!"

Sae was calling her from the living room but she didn't reply. She didn't move a muscle and then she heard her sister's footsteps getting closer, then a knock on her door. The fifteenth that day.

"Mako, are you alright in there?" the elder girl said worriedly. Makoto kept staring at the ceiling above, not feeling hungry at all. All she could feel was hatred and sadness, and a dark void occupied now the depths of her stomach.

When she didn't receive any answers, Sae tried turning the knob but the door was locked. "Makoto, please just tell me what's wrong! I am very concerned about you!"

Makoto grabbed her pillow and pressed it against her face, trying to block any other sound that wasn't her own breathing. She knew she shouldn't be doing this to her sister, that she was simply worried about her well-being, but she wanted to be left alone.

"Alright, then" Sae said and then her footsteps headed back to the living room. Finally.

Her peace didn't last long however, for Sae returned shortly after and started fumbling with the lock.

"Damn spare keys!" Makoto thought angrily as she sat up in bed.

The door to her bedroom opened, revealing a very worried Sae who stood by the doorway for a few seconds, studying her younger sister's face, and then strode across the room and sat beside her. Makoto didn't move as she felt the weight on the bed shifting and her sister glancing at her.

"You know you can count on me" Sae said suddenly. "Whatever happened, you can tell me."

"No" Makoto shook her head stubbornly. "No one can help me."

Sae placed a hand on Makoto's and leaned forward. "Hey, try me."

And then, unexpectedly, Makoto felt tears running down her face uncontrollably, and she started sobbing against her will. "He's gone… he's gone…" she kept repeating.

"Who?" Sae whispered soothingly, wrapping her hands around her sister.

"G-Goro…"

"Goro Akechi?!" Sae widened her eyes upon hearing her words. "What do you mean he is gone?"

"H-he… he is…" Makoto couldn't bring herself to saying the dreaded word, because it felt like finalizing the fact she would never see him again...

"How?" Sae asked, obviously understanding what her sister had meant by "gone". "What happened to him, Mako?"

"W-w-we were in… t-the Metaverse… he d-did it f-for us…"

Sae lifted her chin as she let the truth sink in. "I can't believe this..." And then, after a short pause: "You two were more than just friends, weren't you?"

Makoto shook her head and sniffed, not even bothering to dry her wet cheeks. "I never… t-told him. I m-missed my c-chance…"

Makoto buried her face in her hands, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"I'm sure he knew it… he knew how you really felt" Sae said, but all Makoto could think was that her sister had no idea what she was talking about. Those were nothing but words she considered comforting, something she didn't really mean. Her elder sister didn't know what she was going through, didn't know what it felt like to have her heart shattered continuously all the while being unable to pick up the pieces. There was no one in the entire universe who could replace the void, absolutely nothing which could ease the pain.

No one but him, and he was gone forever. And she never said goodbye, or confessed how much she loved him.

Was that what rotting in hell felt like? Because if so, it was not half bad. There was no pain, no stereotypical flames and demons with sharp forks forcing him to repent. No one to judge him for what he did during his miserable life.

He was simply floating into nothingness. He watched as his limbs, now clothed in his school uniform, let themselves be carried by the gentle and invisible waves engulfing him. He didn't feel any pain, his injuries were gone. The hole left by the bullet his cognitive clone left him was gone too. But more importantly, his mind was at peace. No overwhelming thoughts assailing him, no more painful memories, no regrets. Or maybe he had one, just one. He would have loved to give his first meaningful kiss to the girl he fancied. But he had saved her from certain death, so he was happy anyway.

"Trickster"

He frowned as he heard the familiar words. But whoever had spoken was definitely no one he knew.

"Wake up"

His vision temporarily blurred as his calm surroundings shifted into a bright red light.

"The world needs you"

Was it only his overreacting imagination, or was he actually feeling pain? Burning and unbearable, it was shooting through each fiber of his body. And he wanted to scream louder than he had ever done, but it seemed the burst of air was stuck in his throat and he couldn't breathe.

Parts of his clothes were now soaked in a dark red liquid, and a smoking hole reappeared above the spot where he assumed his liver was.

"Trust me. I can help you"

He was pretty sure no one could help him at that point, because he was losing consciousness quickly due to the pain and lack of oxygen. His eyelids felt heavy and he let his eyes close.

Was it seconds or hours later he snapped them open as he sucked in air with a long gasp as if he was breathing for the first time in his life?

He was feeling light-headed when he realized he was lying flat on the floor of the engine room in Shido's Palace. He was completely alone, and the entire place was quiet. Then he saw a tiny, blue butterfly dancing around him.

"Welcome back"

"A-are you… the one talking… to me?" Akechi blurted out after managing to sit up, not without effort.

"Yes" the blue butterfly replied sweetly, but there was something in that girlish voice that sounded sad. Incomplete, even. "I brought you back."

"Wait, was I… dead?" Akechi asked, fearing to know the answer. It sure felt like he had been.

"Not exactly" the mysterious voice said. "But very close. Had I intervened seconds later, it would have been too late for you."

"How did you save me?"

"I possess some powers. Powers that are out of the ordinary even for Tricksters like you. Though I cannot recall how I grasped such knowledge for my memories are hazy…" the voice spoke softly. Akechi wanted to ask the butterfly what or who it was –was it even a girl?- but wasn't sure how to address it.

"I know you have many questions, but we do not have much time. They think you are dead" the butterfly said.

Akechi nodded, understanding it was referring to Shido and his lackeys, as he hardly stood up and pressed a hand against the bleeding spot on his right side. "What's your name?"

"I do not know" the butterfly answered sadly. "It doesn't matter. Just do not let them see you. Do not end up in a fight."

"That may be inevitable" Akechi remarked, but the butterfly flapped its wings more harshly.

"You must not be seen or fight. You wouldn't survive that."

"Oh please" Akechi smirked defiantly. "I have fought more powerful enemies."

"It is not a matter of being stronger or not" the butterfly retorted, though Akechi had the feeling it was hiding something very important from him.

"Is there something I should know?"

"I told you. Get out of here unseen. No fights" the blue insect replied firmly. "I will be right in front of you to guide you."

And so, as he pressed his hand even harder against the bleeding and extremely painful wound, Akechi started wondering how the heck he had come to this: almost shot to death by his own cognitive clone on behalf of his own father in an alternative world, only to wake up and be instructed to get out of the place by a talking butterfly.

He could write a book about this, he'd make tons of money.

"Don't be silly, that would ruin your reputation" the insect said suddenly, making him blush furiously.

"Wait, can you read my thoughts?!"

"Only if you think hard enough" the butterfly said dreamily.

Just perfect. Now he really needed to be careful what he thought about. Just in case Makoto popped up in his head all of a sudden.

"About that. You should tell her, you know."

"Stop reading my thoughts! That's invading my privacy!"

"Can't help it. Sorry."

Just as they rounded a corner, a particular painful sting of pain shot through his wound and Akechi fell on his knees, tightening the grip around his abdomen. "Damn it!" he cursed through gritted teeth, as he felt the blueish aura left by the butterfly getting closer to his face.

"It is a bad wound, though it looks much better than it was when I found you. I tried to fix it at the best of my abilities, but apparently it wasn't enough…"

"It's OK" Akechi muttered. "I c-can… ask Robin."

When the butterfly didn't answer and a heavy silence full of a much deeper meaning permeated their surroundings, Akechi gave the insect a quizzical look, but he still didn't receive a reply.

"Robin" he called quietly.

The hallway where they currently were in, despite the rows and rows of suites on each side of the walls, remained silent and empty. Nothing was happening. No one was coming.

"Robin!" Akechi called more vehemently, but he still found himself waiting for his faithful Persona that, for the first time, had abandoned him to his fate.

Akechi turned his head right and left before looking behind his back, still in hope of seeing the mighty creature carrying its large bow and standing proud and tall by his side. But he was disappointed.

"The thing is…" the butterfly said, almost shyly. "…Igor took back your Personas after you collapsed. He thought you wouldn't make it…"

"That piece of shit!" Akechi exclaimed angrily, punching the carpeted floor in frustration with all the strength he had. "He had this planned from the beginning!"

"I am afraid it is as you say. He tricked you, and he tricked Akira Kurusu. And if we don't stop him, he is going to take over the whole world!"

"But how do we stop him?" Akechi asked desperately, feeling powerless without Robin. Or Loki. "I cannot use my Personas anymore…"

"There is a way" the calm voice said. "Today you were born again. That is exactly what your Persona needs, too. A rebirth."

Her phone was buzzing. Again. She couldn't count all the times Akira had tried to contact her that day, the girl promptly ignoring all of his messages. She supposed the others had also tried sending her a text or two on the group chat, but she couldn't be sure. She never checked, anyway.

She only left her room to use the bathroom and steal a snack from the kitchen when her sister was not around, before locking herself up again in her safe haven where she could abandon herself to her sorrow.

She knew she couldn't continue like that. She knew Akechi had made them promise to make Shido confess, but the truth was that she was afraid to confront the man's Shadow. Because she knew she might lose it and kill him out of pure rage to avenge the only boy she had ever had such deep feelings for.

She couldn't even remember when exactly it had happened. After all, she used to despise him for keeping her sister busy at all times, or for being so nosy and omnipresent wherever she went. And for having an answer to anything, as well as being so bloody perfect. Except that he wasn't, because he was the one every single police department in Japan was after.

And yet, she couldn't help but love him, because she had seen the real Akechi, both the scary and dangerous as well as the kind and brave one. She doubted even Akira knew him as well as she did.

After finishing her sandwich absent-mindedly, Makoto's fingers randomly brushed against the soft fabrics of the bracelet he had bought back in Hawaii. It felt like ages before now, since that peaceful day they had spent at the beach without a worry in the world. She remembered she was still wary of him back then, but that gesture- which probably had been meaningless to him- was most likely what started it all.

It was right in that moment her memories of Goro Akechi became crystal clear, almost as if she was physically back in Hawaii, and she could smell his scent and even sense his presence. It was in that moment she wondered if he was still wearing the bracelet she had always accused him of not having the day he died for them. It was in that moment she realized she couldn't keep sitting on her bed while his body rotted in that bastard's Palace, forgotten by the rest of the world.

She needed to go back and say goodbye. He deserved that much, at least.

Her phone kept on buzzing and she firmly grabbed it and swiped the screen.

"Makoto here."

"Hey Mako-chan! We were so worried about you… we-"

"Yes, well. See you guys tomorrow at Shido's Palace."

"Uh? But we've got school tomorrow and the day after too…"

"So what? Fuck school."

"Right this way, we're almost there!"

Akechi was running as fast as his wounds would let him, using one arm against the walls for support while the other was still wrapped around his abdomen.

"You don't look so hot."

"Well" Akechi smiled weakly. "It's called blood loss, you know…"

He still couldn't quite believe he was talking to a butterfly, but he guessed it was better than nothing. At least the blue insect was actually keeping him out of trouble, showing him exactly where to go and how to move around the huge cruise ship, as well as avoiding enemies by warning him beforehand. Besides, he thought as a small smirk appeared on his face, Akira had his own talking pet too.

"It's clear now. The exit is up ahead."

"What am I going to do once I'm back?"

The blue insect stopped right in front of his nose for a moment, and he guessed it was thinking.

"You should get that wound medicated. It's getting worse. And then you must find your friends, though remember to keep a low profile. The real Shido might not know you are dead in this world, but he is after you. So just find your friends, I am sure they will help you."

"Why are you helping me, then?" Akechi asked suspiciously, and the butterfly began flying further on again.

"Because I feel this is the right thing to do. I feel that, by helping you out, I will regain my memories. And maybe my real form."

"You mean to say you're human?" Akechi questioned again surprised.

"I am not sure human is the right term. But I guess…"

With one last look around, making sure no one was glancing their way and no enemies were in their line of sight, Akechi opened the entrance door and stumbled outside, his body feeling fatigued and drained.

"You are one brave young man, Goro Akechi" the voice spoke softly. "I can guarantee you this will be worth all the pain and the suffering you've endured so far."

Akechi simply nodded, because he barely had any energies left to speak. He then stuffed his hand in his pocket to retrieve his phone, only to discover with horror it was gone.

"Do not worry" the butterfly said. "I can take you home. I shall see you again in the near future."

Akechi opened his mouth right when a bright light blinded him, and he automatically brought a hand to his eyes to shield them. When he felt his surroundings changing, he dropped the arm and instantly regretted using the one which had been pressing against the wound. Now he was bleeding more profusely and he was quite sure he was as pale as a ghost. He needed a doctor, urgently.

But where to go without being recognized and without having Shido know he was lying in a hospital bed with multiple injuries as well as a bullet through his abdomen?

Surprisingly, his brain was still working fast despite the blood loss. In fact, if he recalled correctly, Akira had once told him about a doctor living in a shabby studio in Yongen-Jaya. He even walked past the health center once, and he clearly remembered it was located in a dark alley not too far from LeBlanc. He could kill two birds with one stone.

He quickly discarded his uniform jacket, which carried his school's logo, and pursed his lips when he saw his candid white sheet underneath socked in blood on his right side. So much for not attracting attention.

He quickly looked around, inwardly thanking the fact it was getting late and the area was basically deserted, and strode toward a dumpster nearby. It was not the normal dumpster where people threw the trash, but it was an orange-painted one where anyone could drop second-hand clothes which would be collected by a non-profit organization, sorted and handed over to people in need.

He felt no regret when he opened the top and rummaged inside, because no one was more in need than him in that moment. It took him longer than anticipated, what with the stinging pain in his side and the street getting darker. The only lamppost beside the dumpster was out of order.

The boy finally fished out a second-hand rain coat, black with dark grey stripes running from the neck band down to the sleeves. It was old and way too large for him, and definitely too thin for the season, but it also had a hat and that was more than he could bargain for.

He quickly put on the coat and zipped it up before covering his head with the hat. He didn't have his phone with him, nor was there anything around where he could see how he looked, but if he had to guess, he'd use one word: ridiculous. It wasn't even raining after all, for the sky was clear and with no clouds whatsoever. But the hat covered three fourth of his face, which meant people would look at him but hopefully not recognize him, and that was good enough for him.

Luckily he still had his travelcard, which he promptly scanned once he reached the nearest metro station. A station agent patrolling the area was looking at him suspiciously, but Akechi quickly pocketed his card, trying to look as innocent as possible, and hurried to the platform where his train would be arriving soon.

"Come on" he muttered through gritted teeth, shifting weight from one foot to another. "Please, hurry up!"

The train stopped slowly and the doors opened, where more people than he had expected flooded onto the platform- agonizingly slowly, so that Akechi was seriously wondering if they were doing it on purpose just to make him bleed to death- and then it was finally his turn. He didn't sit down, despite being many available seats, because he knew the wound would hurt even more if he bended his torso. And so, he stood as he held onto a metal pole in the middle of his train car and ignored the other commuters' confused looks.

As the train stopped at every single damn station, and he watched people get on and off the train, his visions blurred multiple times and he was feeling weaker by the second. He knew he was running out of time. That mysterious butterfly said it had tried to fix him as best as it could, but he guessed a bullet was no easy task to handle even for a magical creature. At least, whatever that insect had done to it, he now had enough time to contact this shady doctor. Or at least that was what he hoped.

He almost forgot he needed to change train in Shibuya because the current train would not take him to Yongen-Jaya directly. Mentally cursing his luck, he got off the train seconds before the doors closed and waited for the next train, as the pain intensified.

Luckily, the train which would take him to his final destination arrived two minutes later. He inwardly smiled as he thought of how darkly funny it was now to think of the word "final destination". It could mean his salvation as well as his doom.

"Laughing at the possibility that you may die within twenty minutes is a clear indication you don't have much time left" he mumbled to himself, and an old lady waiting for the train beside him glanced at him with a shocked expression.

"Just rehearsing for my school play" he shrugged and gave her a horrible, pained smile.

The old lady shook her head and positioned herself several feet away from him, muttering something about the effects of drugs.

Akechi ignored her comments and hopped onto the train, patiently waiting for his stop until the familiar jolly voice from the speakers announced they were arriving at Yongen-Jaya.

Not many people got off there at that time of the day, for which Akechi was grateful. However, his mood did darken even more when he passed by the same alley where Tamiko-chan had found her death, the entire place now sealed off by the police. Akechi guessed someone had found the body and alerted the authorities, and he couldn't help but think of Tamiko's family and how they must be feeling after their loss. Unable to bear the thought any longer, the boy made his way to the doctor's studio unnoticed and rang the bell without hesitation once arrived.

Akechi snorted impatiently as he waited, mentally counting the seconds passing by without anyone coming to open the door. He was starting to think the doctor had already gone home when the door finally opened, revealing a punk-looking girl with short, dark hair and an expression of pure indifference.

The two stared at each other for a moment, neither of them uttering a word, until the girl- who he noticed only now was wearing a white coat- gestured for him to come in. He frowned, for he wasn't expecting his new doctor to look like a rock groupie but he didn't ask any questions. He wasn't in the position to, and he wouldn't if she didn't either.

The girl ushered him to a dark examination room, which was so small it could barely contain a single hospital cot and a desk with a chair where she prescribed the medications. There was a large window facing the room, but the blinders were down and no light filtered through. It was too dark outside, anyway.

"Sit" she instructed in an assertive voice.

Akechi remained standing. "I'd rather not."

"Guessed as much" she replied nonchalantly. "Take off the coat and the shirt."

Akechi blinked a couple of times, wondering how the heck she had even guessed where exactly the problem was. However, he did as she said and removed the rain coat, revealing the stained shirt underneath. He saw the small frown that appeared on the young doctor's face but she remained silent. Akechi was extremely grateful that she didn't ask questions, because he had no idea how to explain that a teenager like him had been in a gunfight.

Only after removing his shirt did the doctor step forward and examined the wound.

"This is quite bad. I am surprised you haven't dropped dead yet. I'd say it's a miracle, even" she commented after taking a closer look. "The bullet is still inside, which is kinda good since it's slowing down the bleeding" she continued after a short pause. "Still, we need to remove it, disinfect thoroughly and then apply stitches. Now, I do not normally perform surgeries but yours is a special circumstance." She stopped to give him a meaningful look. She obviously didn't only mean he didn't have time to be moved to a proper hospital. "And since I do not possess a surgery room, we will have to operate here and now. It's not going to be pleasant."

Akechi lifted his chin and gave her a determined look, understanding perfectly well what she meant and she smiled wickedly. "Sorry kid, but you will have to lie down."

He was pretty sure he had lost consciousness at a certain point after all the screaming which the doctor tried to muffle with the oxygen mask. When he came to, the room was slightly brighter though he was still lying down in the exact same position as before, but his wound was not hurting as bad anymore. Just sort of "pulsating". He turned his head to the right and saw the young doctor who had saved his life was fast asleep in her office chair. He could tell she had tried to stay awake for as long as possible writing down complicated-looking formulas for a new medication, but eventually she had given up. Which meant it was his chance to leave the place undisturbed.

With a quick glance at the clock on the wall, he knew he had probably been out cold for approximately four hours for it was now 3:30 AM.

He carefully sat down, trying to apply as little pressure on the fresh wound as possible as he pressed a hand against the white bandages around his torso. He then retrieved his shirt and the coat and put them on, but didn't bother to button or zip them up. Instead, he scribbled a short "Thank you" message on the doctor's notebook and went straight for the door and silently opened and closed it once he was outside, breathing in the fresh night air.

He was feeling weak and slightly feverish, but at least he couldn't say he was dying. All he had to do now was head to LeBlanc and explain everything to Akira. And funnily enough, that would be the worst part of it all, for he didn't even know where to begin or what to say. "Hey there, sorry for trying to kill you and playing dead for a day or two. But I got stitched up by that shady doctor you told me about and now everything's fine!" Just damn excellent.

"It's all that damn bastard's fault!" he groaned angrily as he stomped toward LeBlanc. Ever since he had returned to life- if he ever died in the first place- all his memories came flooding back to him: Tamiko's tragic death- and his heart gave a painful kick at that particular memory- how Igor had brainwashed him and forced him to fight his own friends only to let him sacrifice himself, confident he would never come back to the real world, and take his precious Personas away from him.

"Just one more target on top of my list" he said through gritted teeth, his heart beating faster with every step he took closer to the small café. Before he even knew it, he was knocking as hard as he could on the front door.

It felt agonizingly long before Akechi could see a dark figure descending the stairs and cautiously approaching the door.

When the door opened- the bell ringing in the process as usual- two teenage boys were standing in front of each other, speechless.

"You've got to be kiddin' me right now" Akira breathed after a long silence. Akechi couldn't even tell what his real expression was, being the other boy's face mostly hidden in the darkness of the café, but he would bet and say shocked. To say the least.

"Hi, Akira" he said simply, realizing how damn stupid his words sounded.

"Really?" Akira replied, though Akechi could recognize relief in his voice. "You make us all believe you're dead and all you have to say after knocking at my door at almost four in the morning is "hi, Akira"?"

"And that I'm sorry" Akechi couldn't help but smirk, before being his turn to be shocked when Akira suddenly leaped forward and squeezed him in a brotherly hug. "Goddamn it, Goro! You have no idea…"

"I think I do…" Akechi replied softly, the ghost of that same smirk he had been wearing mere moments before still lingering on his lips. "I'm really sorry…"

"Get in, you moron. You gotta tell me everything!" Akira chuckled as he broke the hug and gestured for him to get in, all the while searching for the light switch in the pitch-black room.

"Akira, who is..?!"

Both boys turned to glance at a very much shocked Morgana, whose sleepy eyes were now wide with confusion.

"This is going to take a while" Akechi smiled at the cat, who seemed to be too taken aback to respond. Akira shifted his gaze from Akechi to Morgana continuously before breaking into a nervous laughter. "You know what, guys? Yesterday I found out where Boss keeps his whiskey. Apparently there's a secret dispenser in the back of the kitchen. I'd say the situation allows for our very first glass of pure alcohol."

"Sounds good" Akechi approved. "Though I doubt you've ever even tried beer."

"Yes, I have!" Akira retorted outraged. "A… soft beer. Oh come on, have you?!" The dark-haired boy questioned back when Akechi chuckled amusedly. "No, but I do not strut about it."

Akira rolled his eyes before disappearing behind the counter and returning shortly after with a bottle of half-empty whiskey, and then proceeded to grab two glasses.

"Hey, what about me?" Morgana complained.

"You can't have this. It can kill you" Akira remarked with a smirk, making the cat fume with humiliation. "You, wait until I regain my human form!"

"W-H-I-S-K-E-Y" Akira spelled while reading the old label on the dusty bottle. "I've always wondered what the difference between whiskey and whisky is…"

"I know" Akechi replied promptly. "Basically, it all depends on the country of origin. The Scots spell it "whisky" while the Irish and the American "whiskey", but the difference lies in the distillation process too, as well as the grains used and…"

"Will you stop changing topic?" Akira interrupted him with a bored look on his face. "I wasn't really that curious, you know… All I want to know is what the hell happened to you."

"Well" Akechi took his glass with the amber liquid inside and lifted it slightly. "Cheers to you, my friend. You'll be needing this."

And so, Akechi explained as best as he could what had happened ever since Tamiko's death. Akira and Morgana were utterly shocked upon hearing that the brave girl had been shot by Shido's hitmen first and then brutally finished off by none other than Igor himself- Morgana frowning when he heard of the name for the first time but chose to let Akechi continue with his story. And they were equally shocked when Akechi told them how he had lost all his memories during their fight in Shido's Palace, and how a blue talking butterfly ("Hey! Maybe this girlish voice trapped inside a butterfly is looking to return to being a human too!" Morgana butted in excitedly) had saved him, only for him to find out he had lost his Personas. By the time he was finished, both glasses were still lying untouched on the table, completely forgotten.

"So both Robin and Loki are gone?!" Akira exclaimed wide-eyed. "That's… jeez, dude, I'm sorry… I still can't believe it was Igor..."

"I know…" Akechi said sadly. "But this mysterious butterfly told me I can get them back through a rebirth, and that you could help me!"

When both Akira and Morgana exchanged a confused look, clearly not knowing what he was talking about, Akechi felt discouraged. "S-so… you have no idea how to." It was not a question, but a statement. It was obvious they didn't know.

"Sorry, man…" Akira apologized again, visibly and truly sorry to not be able to help his friend in need.

"It's OK" Akechi pretended he was not bothered. "I will find a way."

He then proceeded to tell them how he had managed to escape the Palace and come all the way to Yongen-Jaya to have a bullet extracted from his flash with the only help of a useless anaesthetic and surgical pliers.

"What the actual fuck!" Akira was admiring the lightly stained bandaged wrapped around Akechi's torso when the boy lifted his shirt to show him- Morgana looking the other way, disgusted by the sight of blood. "And you said you went through the whole surgery without a single cry?"

"Not one" Akechi confirmed proudly, before bursting into laughter at the same time as Akira. "I was screaming like a girl. And then I passed out."

"Well yeah, cool. I suggest you guys clean up and put that bottle right where it belongs, 'cause it's getting late… or early. Boss will be here soon" Morgana interrupted, and the two teenagers automatically glanced at the clock. "Holy crap! Time flies around you! C'mon, you wash the glasses and I'll put the bottle back to its place! I'm not sure how to explain why someone who's supposed to be dead is sitting at dawn in his café drinking his whiskey..."

After making sure several times the place was tidy and clean just like Boss had left it the night before, the two boys rushed upstairs just as they heard Boss whistling merrily outside the front door.

"Stay here and rest, you can take my bed. This time only, though" Akira winked at him as he tried to dust the old sofa in his attic, only to end up creating a small cloud of white dust to spread all around him, and he forcefully contained a sneeze. "I'll tell Boss when I wake up. Oh, by the way. We found your phone."

Akechi took his phone with a genuine smile, and whole-heartedly thanked his friend before heading to bed. He didn't think he'd fall asleep almost instantly given the fact he had been out cold for several hours, that it was getting bright outside and that Sakura-san was making quite a lot of noise downstairs, and yet his eyelids felt heavy. He guessed the events he had been through the past two days were taking their toll on him, and he let his body- and especially his brain- rest. Soon, he would be seeing the others. Soon, he would be seeing Makoto again.

His deep slumber was interrupted by the sound of multiple voices speaking at the same time, and soon he could hear that of more people chatting outside, the engines of cars and trucks, children laughing merrily, a door being slammed shut…

Everything was so lively downstairs and outside Akira's window, and those simple sounds he had never paid attention to- or even considered annoying once- made him feel hopeful and positive. He turned the other way in the comfortable bed and checked the time on his phone- 3:08 PM.

"Holy crap, it's late!" he exclaimed and tried to sit up only to grunt painfully: he had almost forgotten about the freshly operated wound.

The sound of footsteps running up to the attic echoed from the stairs, and soon he could see Akira striding into the room and giving him a bright smile once he saw he was awake.

"The others are coming" he announced happily. "Morgana bumped into Ann earlier today and told her everything. He said she couldn't believe her ears! She said she would pass on the information to the others, though Morgana told me she was muttering something about Makoto…"

"What exactly?" Akechi questioned, his interest piqued.

"Dunno" Akira shrugged. "When Morgana asked her, she simply laughed and ran off."

"Guess I'll head to the bathhouse, then" Akechi said as he slowly stood up. "Been through hell and back and haven't showered yet. Mind if I borrow some of your clothes?"

"Gross. I sleep in there…" Akira completely ignored his question as he examined the sheets on his bed.

"I'll be back soon!"

Akechi walked downstairs, waving at Sakura-san who smiled back at him, though he could tell the man was concerned about him, and ignored the other customers' quizzical looks. The boy couldn't care less what other people thought, but he sincerely hoped Boss wouldn't lose his regulars because of him.

When he arrived at the bathhouse, he sighed contently and was grateful he seemed to be the only customer at the moment. He took off his clothes and took a long, hot bath. His stitches hadn't luckily come off yet, but he guessed he could use new bandages since the ones the doctor had applied were now soaked in dry blood. He then put on Akira's clothes and left the bathhouse, tossing his dirty ones in a dumpster nearby. He didn't need the oversized coat any longer, and he had other school uniforms at home he could use. Though he doubted he would be able to attend classes after what happened: after all, Shido was still after him, and school would be the first place the bastard would be searching.

As he thought of his future, he stopped by the pharmacy and bought new bandages with the last money he had left and then headed back to LeBlanc.

"Hey, kiddo."

Sakura-san was busy polishing the counter since there were no customers at the moment, and he gestured for Akechi to come closer when the boy entered the locale.

"You look much better now" the man said paternally. "Listen, I just wanted you to know that I am grateful for all you did for Akira. And the others, too. I don't want to know how you kids do it, or what business you're involved with. I just want you guys to know that I will always be here for you, whatever you need."

Sakura-san wasn't looking at him as he spoke, as if he was too embarrassed to lock eyes with him, but his tone was paternal and kind. So much different from Shido's, his father who had never had a single word of comfort for him.

"Thank you, Sakura-san" Akechi bowed down, trying to sound as grateful as possible. "This means a lot to me." And it really did.

Boss smiled weakly before ushering him upstairs, informing him that "the others" had arrived.

Akechi's heart was beating as fast as the night before when he had showed up at Akira's door as he ascended the stairs. He could hear the muffled voices of his teammates and friends, though he couldn't discern what they were saying.

"Here is our man" Akira announced when Akechi was on the last step. "Alive and kicking."

And then it was a chorus of "Akechi-kun!", some of the teenagers standing up and others simply sitting in their chairs, still too stunned to move.

"What the hell, bro" Ryuji was the first to speak. "You have a talent for keepin' us worried!"

"True" Yusuke nodded with a small smile. "I am not sure I can forgive you this one."

"Sorry" Akechi apologized shyly, rubbing the back of his neck."

"Oh, don't be silly now!" Haru butted in with watering eyes. "It is just Yusuke's way to say he was worried sick, and that he is very happy you're back!"

At those words, everyone around the room- including Futaba- nodded with a wide smile. And it was exactly in that moment, as he scanned everyone's faces, he noticed: Makoto was not there.

His face must have said it all, because Ann approached him and whispered in his ear. "She doesn't know yet. I thought you wanted to tell her yourself. In private…"

He was pretty sure his heart skipped a beat when he heard Ann's words- the girl winking at him- and he understood what exactly she meant.

When he locked eyes with Akira, the dark-haired boy's smirk grew larger. "Goro, weren't you supposed to visit the doctor today? To have your stitches checked."

"Uh? Oh, right!" Akechi pretended to check his watch and frowned. "It's late…"

"Then hurry up and GO!"

Thinking back to all the crap he'd been through ever since he was born and, particularly, since he had obtained his powers, Akechi had to admit no scary or unsettling situations he had experienced was nearly as terrifying as standing still in front of the door of the girl he fancied. He couldn't bring his hand to ring the damn bell no matter what, because every time he tried his heart would kick painfully against his ribs and he would lose courage.

He took a deep breath and began pacing back and forth. "What if Sae-san is here too? That would make things even more embarrassing!"

But he knew Sae-san's work schedule more than he knew his own: on Saturday mornings she'd head straight to the gym, train, shower, eat and then back to work at the prosecutor's office. Even in the weekends. Or should he say, especially in the weekends.

So he was pretty sure Makoto was alone at home.

He knew the girl had feelings for him too, as she had proved multiple times with her obvious behavior, and that she must be in terrible conditions in that moment after witnessing his death, and that should have given him enough strength to ring the freaking bell. Or knock on the door.

He needed to comfort her. Tell her he was in fact not dead, and that everything would be just fine.

After all, he couldn't afford to waste any more time: the ballot day was approaching fast and they couldn't let Shido win the elections!

He sighed, cleared his throat and smoothed Akira's hoodie. The boy apparently never ironed his clothes…

He rang the bell without thinking about it, and he felt his heart hammering uncontrollably against his chest. He waited several minutes without hearing anyone coming to open from the other side of the door. Maybe she had gone out?

No, he knew she was home. She probably wasn't in the mood to see anyone, and was most likely lying in bed hugging her pillow. He rang again, and nothing happened.

"Fine, then" he muttered, and then took his phone and tapped on Makoto's profile picture in his contact list, typed a quick message and hit Send.

It still took several minutes before the message was labeled as "Seen", and then he heard it: the sounds of rushing feet stomping on the wooden floor in the hallway. Then the sound of a door being unlocked, and soon after he was staring at the very girl who had given him strength to go on all this time: slightly shorter than him, short black hair which was now sticking in every direction just like that one morning in Hawaii, her eyes, now even redder after been probably crying, and wrinkled clothes that didn't seem to have been changed in a couple of days. She was observing him, her eyes scanning every inch of his face almost as if ascertaining it was, indeed, Goro Akechi in front of her and not an impostor.

"May I come in?" he asked after a while, but she didn't seem to be listening. Her eyes were still stubbornly fixed on his face, her lips slightly parted in a small "O".

"Ehm… Mako-chan?" he tried again, then he watched powerlessly as the girl's eyes rolled back in her head and her limbs gave up on her. She unceremoniously fell to the floor and wasn't moving.

Akechi was still standing right where he had been, observing the still girl and trying to figure out what had just happened. When he forced himself to snap out of it, he nervously glanced around to make sure no one was to be seen, and stepped inside, hoping with all his heart Sae-san hadn't broken her habit of going to work in the weekends. He closed the door with a foot and bent down as much as the wound would allow him, tightened the grip under the girl's armpits and dragged her to her bedroom, where he hardly managed to lie her down. She had obviously fainted because of shock, and he honestly didn't know what to do or say once she came to. He cringed at the thought of her passing out again and again whenever she'd see his face, in an eternal loop.

"Damn it" he mumbled, feeling uneasy. "Why do the weirdest things always happen to me?"

"Because, despite your confidence, you're still a newbie when it comes to girls."

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" he screamed, falling off the edge of the bed and giving a small cry when he felt a few stitches coming off.

The same, blue butterfly from Shido's Palace was flying around the room and that familiar girlish voice giggled. "Oops, sorry!"

"What..? How..?" he asked confused as he stared in awe at the insect.

"I can come and go as I please in this and in the other world. Igor doesn't seem to be able to notice my presence either way. So I came here to warn you that he knows you survived."

"Well, thanks for the surprisingly unexpected info" Akechi replied ironically. "That didn't nearly kill me at all."

"Don't be silly, you know how dangerous he is. And you should prepare yourself, as well as the others" the butterfly remarked more firmly. "Something is definitely wrong here. If only I could remember more…"

In the meantime, Makoto's hand twitched slightly and Akechi was feeling panicked again. "What should I do?!" he asked to the butterfly, sounding completely terrified.

"Told you you're still a newbie" the girlish voice mocked him amused. "And there goes confident and self-centered Goro Akechi."

"Oh shut up!" he said venomously before paling even more when he noticed Makoto was seconds away from waking up. "Get outta here, quick!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm leaving. But remember what I told you."

Makoto's eyes opened just when the butterfly vanished into thin air, and he quickly went to sit beside her again, a hand pressed against the throbbing wound. "Hey, hey" he whispered softly. "Please, don't faint again!"

"Huh?" Makoto frowned and then lifted a hand to massage her head. "What… is happening?"

"Ehm…" he looked around and noticed a half-empty pitcher and a glass conveniently placed on her desk, and he rushed to pour some water for her. He handed her the full glass and she took it, drinking a few sips in silence. Her eyes were firmly fixed on his face, as if assessing he was real, and then she put the glass on the bedtable. "Hi" she said naturally.

"H-hi…"

"You're supposed to be dead" she interrupted him, her voice sounding confident and firm. The total opposite of his.

"Yes, I am. But I'm not."

"How are you not dead? I saw you die" she insisted, and he finally smiled.

"No, you didn't. Your heard the gunshot, you never saw what happened after."

She remained quiet, her eyes silently asking him to explain. They were full of expectation, and he felt that she needed as many details as possible just for her to forgive him this other heartbreak. And so he gave them to her. He tried to explain everything that had happened since they escaped Sae's Palace up until that very moment. When he was finished, he noticed she was crying quietly. The sight of a devastated Makoto broke his heart: she didn't deserve to suffer, and yet here she was. And it was all his fault.

"I am so sorry" he apologized lamely. He wasn't even brave enough to reach out and wipe her tears away. He was simply sitting on her bed next to her, and yet couldn't move a muscle to comfort her.

"I am the one who should apologize" she said once she had found enough strength to speak. "You've been through all this for us. You almost died for us. And Tamiko-chan… I am so, so sorry for suspecting her…"

"Suspecting her of what?" Akechi frowned at her words, and he could swear she blushed slightly.

"You know what I mean…"

"You thought she was my girlfriend." It wasn't a question because he knew that was what she meant. She nodded without looking at him. She was still sobbing now and then, unable to control herself.

He observed her for a while, so fragile and defenceless, and his arms moved automatically: he wrapped one around her shoulders to bring her close to his chest, while the other went to stroke her silky hair. He rested his chin upon her head, and whispered that everything was fine now. That they were fine.

She didn't push him away- which he was extremely grateful for-, instead she clutched his clothes and buried her face in his chest until the tears had dried out.

"I am so happy" she said, her voice muffled. "I am so happy you're here, Goro."

His heart felt suddenly much lighter, just upon hearing her voice say his first name. It gave him enough strength to affirm that all the terrible events he had been through had been worth it. In the end, he'd do it again and again just to hear her say his name one more time.

She moved her head slightly to look up at him, and he automatically moved his to return the stare. It felt so good to be holding her in his arms, to not have hateful and vengeful thoughts for once. All he could feel was love, pure and sincere, and it was all thanks to that stubborn girl who had been crying her eyes out when she believed he was dead.

One last tear ran down her cheek, but she was smiling now. He finally summoned up enough courage to rub his thumb against her face to stop the tear from sliding further down, and then he began drawing invisible circles on her cheek, caressing her gently. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side to bury it in his hand as if to encourage him to continue. He wasn't even sure what he was doing, but it just felt completely natural: he removed his left hand from her hair and let it run down her shoulder, then her arm while his other hand cupped a side of her face. She opened her eyes when she felt him move, and was intently studying his face and his expression to make sure she was not misreading his actions. She seemed frozen in place as he leaned forward, his back curving slightly to reach her level and, as his eyes traveled from hers down to her mouth, his lips parted, his nose brushing against hers.

Before they both knew it, his lips were pressing against hers in a chaste kiss which she wasn't returning. Had he misinterpreted the signs? But she had proved multiple times to have feelings for him, right?

He broke the kiss as he reeled his head back, looking confused. She looked as stunned, if not more, and her cheeks were a deep shade of pink. After several seconds, during which Akechi was trying to figure out whether or not that was his call to leave, her eyes locked again with his. One of her hands shakily went to brush the fingers against her lips, and then she said naturally: "I- I love you."

Her words both shocked him and made him the happiest man alive. He had heard many girls say those words to others, and even to him, but never in such a meaningful way. It was obvious she hadn't simply blurted them out because of the circumstances or out of hormonal instincts: she truly meant those words. His lips broke into a bright smile as he closed the gap between them and kissed her once again, more confidently now and she was finally returning the gesture. Both of them were entangled in a tight embrace which none of them was willing to break, their lips glued together. He wasn't sure how long they had been in that position, kissing and stroking each other but, when they finally pulled back, their faces were flushed and their lips were swollen. They both smiled at each other, Makoto muttering a "Wow!" before she stared at him quizzically.

"What?" he asked, half laughing.

"I ehm… I know I shouldn't ruin this with pointless questions, but… does this mean you love me too?"

He took his time to answer, knowing full well he was agitating her. "Makoto, you can be the most annoying, stubborn and irritating human being I've ever met..."

"Thanks for that."

"...and trust me when I say I am not the most expert when it comes to feelings and love..."

"Despite that, you proved several times that the person who thought his shield was unbreakable turned out to be the most caring one..." she insisted, and he smiled.

"You may be right... In fact, every time I've felt down or was in mortal danger, your pouting face has always been there, to virtually encourage me to hold on and never give up. I just can't stop thinking about you no matter who I'm with or where I am. And yesterday, when I was on the verge of dying, you kept me going. You keep me going every day, and make me a better person. You're so good, so perfect I can honestly say I don't deserve you. And yet I can't do without you. So... I might not know what love truly is, but I am learning it with you."

Her worried face lit up and she kissed him, feeling her lips smiling contently against his.

"There's only one problem though" she said, looking suddenly very serious and he scowled. "How am I gonna tell my sister you're not dead after all?"

Woooo! They finally kissed :D Those two sure took their time ^^ And yes, I made it as innocent as possible, what with it being their first meaningful one. But who knows, they might learn something new with time ;)

But hey, we are almost at the end: I guess 2 or 3 more chapters. I am not sure, though. I am having so much fun writing this. Who knows, I may write a few bonus chapters after!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, though ;)