Begin
~Normal POV
They left Sapporo right away. Zenkichi took the wheel as promised, while Akira chose to sit up front with him. One might call him paranoid, but he simply had to keep an eye on the inspector. It was a simple precaution to ensure they were going the right way. As an added bonus, it allowed Makoto to relax in the back with everyone else. Akira was relaxing in the passenger seat while reading, and Makoto was the only one in the back who was still awake.
Zenkichi glanced at Akira as he drove. "...You gonna get some sleep?"
"Reading relaxes me," Akira replied, softly.
"Our leader is quite the bibliophile." Makoto said, smirking a bit. "If he wants to stay up late with a book, not even Ann can change his mind."
Zenkichi nodded. "I see…"
"Um, Hasegawa-san, are you alright?" Makoto asked, "You've been driving for a while and if you want I can take over…"
Zenkichi chuckled. "I'm fine- you just get some sleep. We've still got a long way to go."
Akira looked up from his page. "I like to know that people are feeling their best on the job. You sure you're ok, inspector?"
"You kids don't need to be worrying over an adult like that. This is nothing for me." Zenkichi replied, smiling. He seemed grateful for their concern regardless.
"Well ok… But you are an excellent driver." Makoto complimented. "The car tends to shake a lot more when I'm behind the wheel."
"I may not look it, but I used to patrol in a squad car," Zenkichi said, "Driving's second nature to me at this point."
It was only after the words were out that he realized his mistake. He noticed Akira move a bit in discomfort, but his eyes never left the page he was reading; to give the illusion that it hadn't bothered him.
"...Sorry…" Zenkichi said, quickly. "Shouldn't have said that-"
"Ahem, no- no…" Akira replied, casually. "It's, uh, fine… It's part of the job…" He glanced at the inspector. "Hard to imagine you as a patrol officer, though."
Zenkichi looked a tad relieved. He truly didn't enjoy angering Akira, or making him uneasy. "Oh, it's the truth. I did it every day. Back when I manned the police boxes."
"Is it tough…?" Makoto asked. "Being police?"
"Hell yeah it is. Oh, right- you're studying to become some police bigwig aren't you, Niijima?"
"Yes, I want to be a police commissioner."
"Heh, second in command of the Phantom Thieves and she wants to be a police officer. What's your take on that?" Zenkichi asked.
"It's her dream." Akira replied, simply. "And an admirable one regardless. She's somebody who wants to fix the corruption in the force. And I support her on that. Besides, we'll all be long retired by the time she gets there." Makoto smiled appreciatively at his words.
"So you support your friend's dream even if it bothers you personally? That's… really nice, Kurusu…" Zenkichi paused before adding. "However, Niijima, I wouldn't really recommend joining the force. This job's nothing but hell. Your hours are a mess, you get transferred all over the place… Anything goes down at the scene, you get blamed."
"That may be so, but my heart's set on it. No matter how tough it may be," Makoto replied, confidently.
"She'll do great." Akira added, supportively.
"Thank you, Akira."
Zenkichi smiled a bit. These two had such a strong bond of trust and genuine friendship that not even her joining the force would stop them from supporting each other. No wonder he trusted her as a second authority to his own. Not that Zenkichi had any real idea of how they operated when they were running around in Jails but he could make a few guesses.
"Well, if your heart's set, then do what you gotta do." Zenkichi said, "But as your future senior, I'll share this: The harder you work, the more you'll wind up putting the people in your life on the backburner. Criminals don't care about your schedule. Tragedies don't care. You'll barely see your own home. Sit on that for a bit, then decide if the force is right for you."
"I am well aware." Makoto replied, "My boyfriend, Seiji, is quite patient with me and my schedule already. There is no doubt in my mind that we can make it work in the future." Her cheeks turned a bit pink at the thought. "Ahem, and my time spent with my thief family here is limited, as well. Speaking of, do you have any family waiting for you at home?"
Zenkichi didn't reply right away; the question seemed to upset him. "...Good question…"
Akira glanced at him and took note of the fact that he wasn't wearing a wedding ring. "Trouble at home?"
"Mind your own business." Zenkichi snapped. He then retracted the harshness of his words and quickly added, in a much more neutral tone. "Let's just say, you've gotta think about yourself before you can worry about anyone else."
Makoto frowned. "I suppose that's true…"
"Something wrong?" Zenkichi asked.
"You just reminded me of my father, that's all…" Makoto clarified. "He took his job a lot more seriously than you seem to, but when you boil it down… You two are actually quite similar."
"Heh. You shouldn't diss your father so badly, comparing him to me…" Zenkichi replied. "...So, Niijima? When you were little, your old man probably wasn't home often either, was he? How'd you feel about that?"
"In retrospect, I'm very proud. My father was an officer who acted on his beliefs… All the way to the end. He taught me that his duty was to keep people from being hurt. It may just be his influence on me, but I think becoming an officer is still an admirable path in life."
Zenkichi sighed. "If only that were always true. Our ability to help is restrained. The shrewder and more malicious the target, the less we can actually serve them justice. Held back by superiors, held back by red tape, held back by all sorts of laws… The only thing the police do is obey orders- even when they involve total injustice or an absence of human logic. Basically, the cops I see every day are nothing but a bunch of spineless dogs- and that includes when I'm looking in the mirror."
He paused after that, feeling that Akira might have another of his famous comments to give. Especially after hearing what he had to say on the subject of taking one for his team. He glanced at the kid unsurely waiting for his opinion.
"...They sure put me through hell." Akira said, quietly, turning his page and continuing to read as if he hadn't said anything.
Zenkichi carefully considered his word choice. "...For what it's worth, Kurusu… I'm sorry it happened that way… You didn't deserve that… And I'm actually impressed with you. You went through all that and didn't crack… You must be pretty tough."
Akira may not have looked like it but he did take that apology to heart. It was nice to hear Zenkichi acknowledge that what he went through was cruel. And hearing his comments on his fellow officers proved one thing: he did agree with Akira's opinion on law enforcement, at least to a certain extent. Maybe he and Zenkichi really did have more in common than he thought.
"Thanks…" Akira said, softly.
It wasn't an outright acceptance of the apology, but Zenkichi took it to mean he hadn't offended him at least. "Anyway- that wasn't what I was getting at. I meant when you were still just a kid- how did you feel about your dad rarely being home, Niijima?"
"Oh, that? I did understand that it was part of his job, but I do remember missing him, still. But at least I always had my sister with me."
Zenkichi frowned. "I see… Ahem, sorry to bother you with all that… You two better get to sleep."
Akira marked his page and set his book in his lap, with one hand clenched around it so it wouldn't fall. He pocketed his glasses and tried to fall asleep. Zenkichi kept driving on, still determined to get to Kyoto as fast as possible.
~...
8/14 - Monday
When everyone woke the next morning, they were still moving. Apparently, Zenkichi hardly stopped at all, unless traffic impeded them. And when it did, he got very testy.
"Ugh, I've slept so much that sleep is boring now!" Futaba whined. "Akira, can I borrow one of your books?"
"No." Akira replied, flatly.
Before Futaba could make any protest, Zenkichi's phone started ringing.
"Shit! Not now…" Zenkichi grumbled.
Akira marked his page and turned to the inspector. "Here. I can answer for you."
Zenkichi hesitated but didn't protest. "Well- ok. Just say I'm driving and I'll call back later." He handed his phone over.
Akira read the name "Akane" on the caller ID. He quickly answered the call, but the voice on the other end spoke before he could.
"Hello?" Akira was surprised by how young the voice sounded, it also sounded like a girl. "It's way past noon, where are you? Don't tell me you forgot what day it is. We were supposed to visit mom's grave together."
Akira mentally connected the dots on who he was talking to. Along with repressing a shudder at the girl's harsh tone. This didn't sound like a tone one should take with their father on such an occasion…
"Uh, hi, nice to meet you…" Akira replied, cautiously.
Her tone shifted to confusion. "Huh? Who is this?"
"Sorry, my name's Akira. I'm an acquaintance of your dad's. He's driving right now. But we're getting real close to Kyoto, so don't fret, ok?"
"Driving?" Akane replied, quizzically. "Oh. That makes sense… Sorry…"
"Nah, it's alright. Takes a lot more than that to offend me," Akira said, casually.
"What is it? Who's calling?" Ann asked.
"Is it some kind of emergency?" Haru asked.
"Why don't you just pull over, gramps?" Futaba suggested.
These questions proved to be a huge mistake as Akane could hear their voices. "Do I hear a bunch of girls with you?!" She asked, loudly. (So loud that Akira had to hold the phone away from his ear; and everyone in the car could hear it.) "What an asshole! You're just out partying right now, aren't you?!"
"Dude, she sounds pissed…" Ryuji said, quietly.
Zenkichi sighed sadly as Akane continued her rant.
"You really are the worst! Don't bother coming home again! You don't even deserve to visit mom's grave!" She hung up.
There was a long uncomfortable silence after that. Akira glanced at Zenkichi with sympathy. To hear a virtual stranger say cutting words about your profession is one thing… But to hear your child say such vile remarks about your character is something else entirely. No wonder Zenkichi wasn't bothered by Akira's comments. They were positively tame in comparison.
"Um… is everything alright…?" Makoto asked, carefully.
"I think we might have given her the wrong impression…" Akira answered.
"Y-Yeah, sorry about that…" Zenkichi said, nervously, pocketing his phone again. "Just forget it…"
"So, that was your… daughter?" Futaba said.
Zenkichi didn't have to respond. Instead, he started driving even faster.
~...
Upon reaching Kyoto, Zenkichi immediately found a place to park. "Ok, we're in Kyoto city limits, is this good?" He asked, talking in a fast and panicked manner. "I really have to go. Just park somewhere and check out the temples or something. I'll be in touch tomorrow." He got out of the car before anyone could object.
"She said he's supposed to visit his wife's grave today…" Akira explained.
"We heard…" Makoto replied. "That explains a lot…"
"And she was so mad because…" Ann shuddered. "Oh, god. We should apologize!"
"Yeah… Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Akira agreed. "Let's go. Sophia, where's the nearest cemetery?"
"There is only one in the immediate vicinity. He will likely be there."
Everyone hurriedly climbed out of the car and followed Zenkichi. It may have been difficult to trust a cop, but none of them would forgive themselves if they didn't try to right this misunderstanding on such a sad occasion.
~...
They caught up to Zenkichi easily, following him into the cemetery. He didn't notice them since he was so busy running ahead. Finally, he stopped next to the only other person in the immediate area. The sun was starting to set now.
It was a young girl. She couldn't have been older than 15. She was wearing a black school uniform with red details, and had a pink backpack on her shoulder. She had short dark brown hair, with a red hair clip on the left side, and wide brown eyes. She didn't look that dissimilar to her father.
Zenkichi doubled over, panting in exhaustion. "Sorry I'm late…"
"Hm." Akane replied, turning away from him.
"Uh… Akane?" He asked.
"I'm not here for excuses." Akane said, harshly. "Go have fun with your girls. Goodbye."
"No, no!" Zenkichi pleaded. "You don't understand, I'm on the job right now!"
"Do not come near me again, got it?!" Akane snapped, angrily. "Can't even catch mom's killer."
Zenkichi dropped his gaze sadly and didn't respond.
"Can't even look your daughter in the eye? Of course! You refuse to face up to anything. The way I see it, you're no father to me."
They couldn't see Zenkichi's reaction from where they were standing but it didn't take much to realize how much those words stung. How could she say such a thing? In front of her mother's grave even. Did she think that she would be ok with her treating her father in such a manner?
"What should we do?!" Futaba asked. "We really crashed that ship…"
"No wonder he was trying to get here so fast…" Ann said, wiping her eyes.
"This whole thing is our fault. We should explain," Makoto said. The gang quickly approached the two.
"Um, hang on a second? Please?" Ann said, quickly getting their attention.
"This is a misunderstanding." Akira added.
Zenkichi gaped at them in shock. "You- what are you all doing here?!"
"Who are you?" Akane asked, confusedly.
"We're associates-" Akira replied, "Helping him with a case. I'm Akira."
Akane blinked. "Oh. You're the guy from the phone. Why are you here?"
"She's totally suspicious of us…" Futaba whispered. "I would be too but…"
"Sorry to barge in like this, but please we have to tell you something first!" Haru said.
"Why did you come here?! I told you, wait until tomorrow!"
"Well, we are the ones responsible for upsetting your daughter," Yusuke said.
Makoto approached her. "Um, Akane-chan, right? We're working a case together, so we were all traveling as a group until he ran off to meet you. Since your father was driving, Akira answered the phone instead."
"That's right; it was a mistake." Akira added, gently.
"Mhmm, he was driving all of us to Kyoto," Haru said, "We're so sorry we upset you."
Zenkichi's shocked look slowly faded into a look of gratitude. They were trying to help him…
"Oh… I see…" Akane said, in a softer voice this time. "In that case, please excuse my awful behavior. I'm sorry for jumping the gun and making a scene like that."
"Whoa, she's so well-behaved!" Futaba said, shocked. "She's already more mature than Ryuji."
"Shut up!" Ryuji snapped. "But for real, you sure don't seem like you'd be his kid."
"You shut up!" Zenkichi snapped at him.
"So, Akane-chan, you and your dad made a promise about today, right?" Ann asked.
"We're so sorry he got here late." Makoto said, "That's totally our fault, too."
"Oh no, it's… It's fine." Akane replied.
"Yeah, I'm sorry too, Akane." Zenkichi said. "I promise I really did remember it was today… It's just this case is dragging us all over the place and…"
Akane narrowed her eyes at him. "Couldn't you have simply explained all of this before today?" This made Zenkichi hesitant to continue.
"She's ripping into him on an adult level…" Futaba said.
"To think she's so cold to her father on such a day…" Yusuke commented softly.
It didn't take long to come up with a suitable explanation. "Oh, you know how the police can't talk about active cases and stuff, right?" Ann said.
"That's right. In the force, any information about a case that leaks to the public could ruin all our hard work," Makoto added.
Akane still didn't look convinced. She crossed her arms in a huff and avoided eye contact with them.
"Come on, just cut him some slack." Ryuji said, "Sure, I got no right to talk, considering all the hell I put my own mom through… But he's taking care of you, right? So don't go biting his head off over this."
"Yeah, if I did that to Sojiro? It'd probably take him the better part of the year to recover." Futaba said, frowning at the mere thought. Though Sojiro was not her real father, she would never consider treating him so harshly.
"I mean… It's not like…" Akane said, feebly.
"We're not trying to pile on you though." Haru said, gently. "I'm sure you have your own reasons for what you said."
"But his delay really was because of work." Makoto insisted. "Please, at least don't blame him for that."
"Yeah, it's our fault and you can blame us." Akira added.
Zenkichi's grateful gaze returned. They were seriously trying to help. He didn't think he'd see something like this ever. And it seemed their words finally got through to Akane.
"...I understand." She replied, quietly.
"Thank you, Akane-chan," Makoto said, smiling.
"We especially regret causing trouble on such an important day…" Yusuke said.
"Yes, if you wouldn't mind, we would like to pay our respects too, as an apology." Makoto said.
"Unless you'd find it too intrusive?" Akira said, quizzically.
"No… no, go ahead…" Akane said.
"Guys… thanks…" Zenkichi whispered.
"Don't sweat it, inspector." Akira said, smiling.
The name on the grave read Aoi Hasegawa. Everyone took a moment to offer their prayers to the deceased. Akane seemed pleased by their respectfulness.
"Two years… how the time flies…" Zenkichi muttered thoughtfully.
"Forgive me for prying, but how did it happen," Akira asked. Zenkichi didn't answer.
"...I should go home." Akane said, turning and walking off.
"Oh, why don't we go together?" Zenkichi said, hurriedly. "I'll order some takeout-"
"No thank you." Akane replied, bluntly. "I want nothing to do with you." She kept walking without looking back, even when her father called out to her again.
"Boy, is she icing gramps hard or what?" Futaba said, "This isn't just some 'teen rebel' thing."
"But she's so polite too… I really wonder what could have happened." Haru said, sadly.
Zenkichi sighed defeatedly. "Hey, sorry about all that. You guys really did save me back there. I've gotta get home, but I'll see you all tomorrow. Be in touch, ok?"
"You sure you're good to just go home like that?" Ryuji asked, worriedly.
"Ah, don't worry." Zenkichi said, dismissively, as he started to walk away. "She's just at that age, you know?"
As he was walking off, he didn't notice the knowing look Akira was giving the team. Akane sounded troubled. And they couldn't ignore a troubled kid. Not only that, they noticed some concerning aspects of her appearance, such as her frail-looking physique…
"Inspector?" Akira called out, getting his attention.
"What?" Zenkichi asked, stopping momentarily.
"You said you don't get home too often, but is everything ok there? Is Akane-chan eating well?" Akira asked.
"Yeah, my wife's parents are just next door-" Zenkichi replied, "She just shuts herself up in her room every day, is all…" He ran a hand through his hair uncomfortably. "From what they tell me, she always eats in her room- easy, packaged stuff…"
There was an uncomfortable pause. "Shut up in her room, huh?" Futaba said, quietly.
"It's that serious?" Ann asked, worriedly.
"I'm always away at work," Zenkichi said, "So I don't really know anything about her diet."
"She's a growing lady! She needs to eat well!" Haru said, sternly.
"My thoughts exactly," Akira agreed, "She looked a little on the thin side."
Zenkichi looked nervous, not understanding where they were going with this. "I mean, I send her money… She's a third year in middle school. I'm pretty sure she's set in her ways."
"Where do you live?" Akira asked.
"Uh- an apartment not far from here… why?"
"Haru, how's our food supply?"
"Oh, we have more than enough to share, but we could stop and pick up some local vegetables too!"
"Perfect. Inspector, we're having dinner at your place tonight," Akira said, smirking.
"Eh- what?!"
"Yeah, you'll love Akira's cooking!" Ann chirped eagerly.
"And we can make sure Akane-chan gets a nice meal as an apology for what happened today!" Haru added, brightly.
"Dinner at gramp's place!" Futaba shouted. "Oh-! We could stay the night too since it's getting late!"
Zenkichi stared at them all completely taken aback by their suggestions. "What the hell?! You're just gonna barge into my house?!"
"Rest assured, gramps, we won't steal anything," Yusuke said, smirking.
They all started walking ahead to follow Akane. While Zenkichi was too stunned to even move. He merely watched them go with his jaw slack in shock.
"I- you-!" But they were already gone by the time he could protest any further. He sighed heavily and looked at Aoi's grave once more. "Can you believe this, Aoi?"
A gust of wind ruffled his hair. He groaned and took that to mean he should just let this happen. Seriously though, the Phantom Thieves were just gonna barge into his place and take over without even slightly considering his opinion on the idea?! He thought it over… well, if it might give Akane a nice meal… then maybe he could allow it… But if they break anything, there's gonna be Hell to pay.
~End of Chapter
