Begin

~Normal POV

Zenkichi's apartment was a bit small but wasn't bad or cheap looking. All things considered it was very neat and tidy. (Which was a little strange when you looked at Zenkichi's disheveled appearance in comparison.) It had a living room attached to the kitchen area with a small dining table in between. In the living room area there was a couch with a tv, and a coffee table. Behind the couch was a huge shelf full of books on various topics. (Mostly law and criminology.)

At first, Akane was a little weirded out by so many strangers arriving, but she didn't complain. After they properly introduced themselves, she was very polite and formal to them, albeit with some hesitation. Though she quickly dropped it after being told they could keep it casual. Meanwhile Zenkichi was sitting on his couch with his arms crossed as he watched them wander about his home. He clearly wasn't a fan of the whole idea.

"You have a cat?" Akane asked, seeing Akira let Morgana out of his bag.

"Oh, you bet I do, kiddo. Would you like to hold him?" Akira said, smiling.

"Sure- if that's alright…"

Akira picked Morgana up and handed him over. "His name is Morgana, and get this, he's a talking cat."

Zenkichi glanced their way warily. He definitely didn't want Akane getting in on all this cognitive nonsense.

"Really?" Akane asked, curiously.

"Oh, totally. Morgana, say something." Akira commanded.

"Nice to meet you, Akane!" Morgana said, knowing she couldn't understand him.

"Heh, he meows on command," Akane said, smiling.

"He can do a lot on command, shorty," Ryuji said, smirking playfully. "...Except shut up."

"Not in front of the kid!" Morgana whined. Akane gently scratched his ears making him purr contentedly.

"So, how did he end up working with a bunch of teenagers…?" Akane asked.

Akira smirked. "Oh, we're being held hostage against our will."

Akane snickered at what she thought was just a joke. Zenkichi watched, completely shocked that of all people to make her laugh it'd be Akira. Makoto offered to let Akane help with the cooking, so she let Morgana down gently and went to wash her hands before joining the others in the kitchen. Akira, Ann, Makoto, and Yusuke were working together to cook, while Ryuji and Haru joined Zenkichi in the living room, and Futaba sat at the dining table working on her laptop with Akira's phone next to her so Sophia could feel included. Morgana hopped onto a chair at the table.

Zenkichi watched quietly. The team moved like a well-oiled machine. It was nice to see them work together so well. More importantly, Akane seemed to relax in their presence. She was smiling and even laughing with them…

"They sound like they're getting along." Haru said, brightly.

"Yep, she's really warming up to us," Ryuji added.

"I can no longer sit idly by." Sophia chimed in. "I want to help too. I've got it. I'll find an award winning recipe and-"

"Chill your circuits, Sophia!" Futaba said. "The curry always tastes good when you make it together with someone."

"Is that so?" Sophia asked.

"I can't believe you've all raided my house like this…" Zenkichi said, grumpily. "You guys have some serious nerve… Although… I can't remember the last time this place felt so alive…"

Ryuji gave him a sympathetic look. "Hey, gramps…? You don't have to answer but… what happened to Akane's mom?"

Zenkichi avoided eye contact with him. "...Vehicular manslaughter… A hit and run."

"Oh… sorry to hear that…" Haru said, gently.

"Akane said something about the killer too… Did they ever get caught?" Ryuji asked.

"...No case was ever pursued." Zenkichi answered, frowning. "Any suspect is… way outta my reach…"

Akira heard this comment, and opted to remember it for later. It was an odd way to word such a thing. Though he sympathized with him on his dilemma. Generally, the case was that Zenkichi wouldn't have been allowed to be involved with such a case, since it's personal to him, but that'd only make such an outcome harder to accept.

Once the curry was ready, they sat down to eat. Zenkichi dropped the subject entirely, wanting to get back into more pleasant topics. Akira and Ann sat next to each other at the table, across from Akane and Zenkichi, with Futaba at the end. Since there were only so many chairs, Haru and Makoto chose to eat on the couch, while Ryuji and Yusuke used the coffee table. Morgana was given his bowl to eat from beside them. (Akane didn't question why they shared their curry with the cat.)

"Mmm! So good! These vegetables in Kyoto make curry so amazing!" Ann gushed.

Akane was unsure at first, but seeing everyone enjoy the food made her relax and try it. Her eyes widened after the first taste. "It's delicious!" Zenkichi looked relieved to see her happy.

"I'm glad you think so, Akane-chan," Akira said, smiling. It was nice seeing her open up more.

"You lucked out Ann-san…" Akane commented. "Getting a man with good looks and he can cook."

~...

"I'm going back for another round!" Futaba shouted.

"Not today, Futaba! I'm taking another helping first!" Yusuke said, quickly following her back to the kitchen. (Both of them ignored the fact that they had more than enough curry left for everyone to take another plate.)

"Are those two always like this," Zenkichi asked.

"Yeah, we're used to it," Ann answered.

"It really is good…" Akane said, brightly. "Do you think I could make it by myself?"

"Oh, absolutely, if you practice." Akira said, smiling.

Futaba came back with her second plate. "Mastering this isn't easy- you'll have to learn how to curry your weight in the kitchen!" Akane snickered at her bad joke, while everyone else groaned.

~...

Ann offered to give Akane modeling tips on clear skin, so they, Haru and Makoto left not long after to basically take over the bathroom, while the others sat around in the living room to wait.

"You really saved my ass back there." Zenkichi said, "The place may be cramped, but it's yours for the night."

"No worries, it's all for the kid." Akira replied.

"Who the hell would ever guess the Phantom Thieves are a bunch of softies…"

"You don't know our leader," Futaba said, grinning, "He's about as soft as they come."

"If someone is suffering, it's only right to provide aid when possible," Yusuke said, simply.

"Yeah, we just do what we know we gotta do," Ryuji added.

"Help the weak and crush the strong! That's the Phantom Thieves' way, and always will be!" Morgana said, proudly.

"And we never forget when someone provides us a meal or a roof. Ever." Yusuke said, smirking.

"Oh, really?" Zenkichi asked, looking surprised. "Well, at any rate, I want to thank you properly. It's been a long time since I've seen Akane so happy. So… I'm gonna turn in for the night. All that driving took it outta me. Would you mind hanging out with Akane in her room for a bit? She's into some kinda online thing. Something to do with a show she likes, I think."

"Sure, we wouldn't mind," Akira said. Zenkichi thanked them again and went to his room for the night.

~...

Once the girls finished cleaning up, Akane brought them all to her bedroom door. She seemed a little hesitant to let so many people in at once, but wasn't objecting. She wasn't that much younger than them anyway, so that probably helped.

She put a hand on her doorknob. "Uh, before we go in, I just want to apologize in advance about the mess…"

Everyone shrugged this concern off. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'm sure my room's worse!" Futaba said.

"Yeah, we totally won't be bothered!" Ann added. "My room's a mess too." Akane opened the door as they were talking and led them inside.

"Besides how bad could it possibly be- holy shit!" Ryuji said, his jaw dropping at the sight.

"Whaaa?!" Futaba said, quickly rubbing her eyes to ensure she was seeing this right.

"Good God!" Yusuke said, flabbergasted.

The room wasn't a mess. Not even a little bit.

Akane's room was covered, from top to bottom, in Phantom Thieves' merchandise. In one corner was her bed, decked out with red and black plaid covers. On her bed was a teddy bear with a replica of Akira's thief mask stuck to it. And she had an extra throw pillow with the Phantom Thieves' logo on it. At the foot of her bed was a small shelf holding some manga, and on top of it was another replica of the same mask sitting on a stand. Behind the stand was a foldable double frame with an image of the Phantom Thieves' logo in it, and on the other side was a neat arrangement of key chains of the same logo in varying colors. Next to her bed was a small end table and reading lamp with a red shade to match the room. The walls were covered in posters of replica calling cards, above her bed were two very distinct posters. One was of their logo and the other was a shot of their video calling card to Masayoshi Shido; the only time they ever showed all of them on camera, albeit in silhouette form. There was a "Take Your Heart" word decal on the back wall under her window. And along the windowsill was a mess of red and black figurines with red top hats and decals. There was another set of shelves on the windowsill that held various books, but on top of the shelves, were a set of very familiar looking figurines of themselves in their thief suits on little stands. There was yet another replica of Akira's mask too, sitting in front of a framed picture of his silhouette from the video calling card… In the opposite corner of the room was a desk with a few loose papers on it. (Which must have been what she considered "the mess.") And on the desk was another logo decal, along with a red laptop with their logo stuck on the back of it. The curtains were red too! Even the pencil holder on her desk had their logo on it! And to top it all off, hanging proudly on the wall above her desk was a black leather coat that looked very similar to Akira's hanging on the wall like a trophy…

Akane ignored their surprised reactions as she shut the door behind them and went to pick up her papers, putting them away in her pink backpack that was sitting on the floor. She then straightened up and avoided eye contact with them, looking very embarrassed.

"So, this is my room, and… yeah… hehe…"

"Fuck, man, even I don't love us this much…!" Akira shouted, internally.

"I-Is this all Phantom Thieves merch?!" Ann asked, trying to sound indifferent.

"I didn't even know they made this much stuff!" Ryuji said, his voice cracking a bit.

Futaba tried to save face while everyone was having a mild freak out. "Well, uh, they are real famous, ya know!" She said, nervously. "I'm pretty sure some of these were only posted on super obscure websites, too…"

"There are even some handmade ones…" Haru commented, completely stunned.

"It's too much, isn't it? I know, it's lame…" Akane said, fiddling with her fingers nervously.

"No, that's not it, Akane-chan. You're into the Phantom Thieves…?" Makoto asked.

Akane blushed. "Yeah…" She giggled a bit, and tried to regain her composure. "Ahem, and I'm not blind, ya know…"

"Meaning…?" Akira said, trying to keep his poker face.

"It's obvious, right?" Akane said, simply. "Those hair styles… You can't fool me. I can see it clear as day!"

Everyone felt their hearts trying to escape their chests, and the nervous sweats started up…

"You're all fans too!" Akane said, as if it was a pure statement of fact.

There was a pause as they all calmed down from their silent panicking.

"...Damn right we are!" Futaba said, grinning in what she hoped wasn't a suspicious way.

"Why yes! Yes, of course!" Haru said, giggling nervously.

"Y-Yep! We're huge Phantom Thieves fans!" Ryuji added, rubbing his neck sheepishly.

"Right, right! I love the Phantom Thieves!" Ann said, giggling. "Go, go, Phantom Thieves! Change their hearts and all that stuff!" Her face turned pink from her lame attempt at acting, but Akane didn't notice.

Akira considered his words carefully. A part of him was curious to see how she'd react to him telling her the truth, about them actually being the Phantom Thieves, but he quickly dashed the idea. Even if she didn't believe him, it was far too risky to say such a thing. Zenkichi would probably have a fit too.

"Totally, Phantom Thieves for life." Akira said, smiling. (He truly was relieved that Akane hadn't figured them out that easily.)

Akane was positively beaming now. "Really?! Awesome!"

She went into full on fangirl-mode. Showing them around and pointing out all her stuff and where she got it. Along with what she knew about each of them, to an extent.

"Ok, so you know how the admin of their website is writing about their adventures? Well, I've read the preview chapters posted online, and I know everything about them! The chapters even already mentioned all their codenames!" She went to grab one of her figurines from her shelf. "And check out my figurines! I bought them all online from a guy who handmade each one. You see, he studied the calling card to Masayoshi Shido frame-by-frame to get all the details just right! Of course, they're all silhouettes without coloring, cause, nobody knows what they look like." She handed the little doll to Futaba as she kept talking.

Futaba studied the toy with a slack jaw. It's not everyday someone just casually hands you a toy of yourself

"Try not to faint…" Yusuke whispered, teasingly.

"Shut it, Yusuke…" Futaba whispered back.

Akane didn't hear them, she was too focused on her rambling. "Of course, the codenames aren't really attributed to most of the members on the site. They're just kinda mentioned without details in the writing. But-" She picked up another toy to show them. "Some are kinda obvious. Like this one is Skull because he's the only one with a skull mask. So, it'd be weird otherwise, right?"

"Right- sure, yeah, that does make sense!" Ryuji replied, sheepishly.

Akane took the toy back from Futaba, and put them both away on her shelf neatly. "I'm into the Phantom Thieves because they seem like the only ones changing this crappy world for the better. They're not just fighting with their lives to save the people in trouble- they inspire people to be stronger too! Oh- and don't you just love the logo!" She pointed at the decal on her curtains. "Some people say they, like, paid someone to make it, but I don't think so. My theory is that one of the members is a super talented artist and they're the one who made it! Do you guys agree?"

Yusuke was covering his face with his hand, in what looked like a thinking pose, but in actuality he was trying to hide his flattered grin. He'd always been very proud and protective of his logo, as it was the first piece of art he'd made after deciding to break free from Madarame's control over his life. Thus, despite giving it to the team as a gift, it was the first piece he'd ever made that he could genuinely call his own. "That sounds plausible…" He answered, trying to keep his voice steady.

Akane squealed. "I'm glad somebody else thinks so!" She changed the subject. "So, according to the website, they used to have 9 members, but in the video calling card to Shido-" She paused to point at the picture. "There's only 8! Well, obviously, that card was made after Joker got caught and faked his death. The only explanation for how he got caught would have to be that the 9th member was a traitor! And that was the reason why he had to fake his death to get out of imprisonment." Akane was quite gifted at spot on guessing. "But they're all so cool!" She turned to her framed picture. "Especially the leader, Joker… He's so mysterious… and dreamy…"

Akira suddenly felt sick to his stomach… He didn't enjoy hearing people gush over him like this. In fact, he made it a point to avoid things relating to the "Phandom" as much as possible because of it. As a taken man, it was simply uncomfortable. Regardless of the person's age, or the fact that she had no idea she was talking about him specifically. The fact remained the same. Ann didn't look pleased either but was trying to hide it to not seem suspicious.

"I… think he's a little old for you…" Ann said, carefully.

This brought Akane to her senses. "Oh-" She blushed. "Uh, sorry you're right… But I can dream! Ahem, I didn't mean to rant like that…"

Haru giggled. "It's no problem at all. What else do you have to say about them?"

"Well, I'm writing a fanfic about them!" Akane said, "I'd show you but it's a work in progress, so it's a little embarrassing… Uh, what else is there… OH! There's also the show!"

"A show?!" Ann asked.

"It's a livestream that's sort of… all about the Phantom Thieves…" While everyone took a moment to mentally process that information, Akane got even more excited. "And it'll be going on tonight! Give me a sec to set up! You guys can sit on the floor and watch!"

She opened her laptop and turned it away from her bed, towards the window shelves. She got out her figurines and arranged them in formation on her desk. Everyone took seats around the room, making sure to avoid being on her camera. She started up her recording and picked up her Joker figure, holding it in front of the camera, while clearing her throat.

"It's been some time since we last met, fellow Phantom Phreaks!" She said, doing an impression of a male voice. "Let us enjoy our time together tonight, Phantom Thieves superfans across the world!"

It didn't take much to realize what she was doing. While she was "performing" everyone looked at Akira trying to hold back their laughter.

"Is she… copying you?" Morgana asked, snickering softly, thankful that Akane couldn't understand him.

Akira felt his cheeks burn as he covered his face with one hand. "I do not sound like that…" He mumbled.

"You kinda do…" Ann giggled, quietly.

"Yeah, you totally do…" Ryuji whispered, trying not to break a rib from holding in his laughter.

Akane didn't hear these comments as she kept her show going, and continued doing her impression. "Hmph! It is time to express our gratitude for the Phantom Thieves from the bottom of our hearts!"

"Her channel has over 50,000 subscribers…" Yusuke whispered, his voice cracking in shock.

"Easily a midtier account," Futaba whispered back. "She's pulling in a decent income…"

"It's embarrassing to admit but the support feels… nice," Haru whispered, blushing bright pink.

"My dear Phreaks!" Akane continued. "I'm sure you're aware of the Phantom Thieves' celebrated comeback. As of today, three more incidents fitting their M.O. have surfaced across Japan! This is cause for celebration! Let us welcome the return of the Phantom Thieves with open arms!" She finished with a laugh.

"She really acts the part…" Yusuke whispered.

"I think she's in a good mood." Ann said, quietly. "Her dad did come home today."

"I have to agree. She reminds me of when my own dad would finally come home," Makoto whispered, smiling.

The stream went on for a while. The rest of it was basically her acting out scenes with her figures according to a script. (This got particularly cringe worthy, but they survived to the end.) Once it was over, she turned to them in her desk chair with a sheepish look.

"Well, that's basically what an episode is like…"

"That was great!" Haru said, brightly. "You're an excellent showrunner. The spectators seemed really into it, too!"

"Thanks… I've been doing these ever since the Phantom Thieves first popped up last year. I admit my grades are kinda slipping… I should probably scale back on the livestream for a bit… especially with high school entrance exams coming up…"

"Would you like help studying?" Makoto asked.

~...

They all returned to the living room while Makoto helped Akane study at the dining table. Akane really was very sweet, once you got to know her. She was their fan, and they always made a point to cherish their fans… It was a little ironic, but maybe Zenkichi didn't know about her affinity for them.

"Thank you so much for doing this for me…" Akane said, smiling.

"Oh, it's the least we can do. We had to make up for intruding." Makoto replied.

"Oh no, not at all!" Akane assured. "I'm… glad you did. It's been a long time since I hung out with someone…"

"What about your friends?" Makoto asked.

"I grew up in Tokyo so I don't have any friends here…"

"I thought your father was in the Kyoto Police?"

"He transferred here after mom…" Akane swallowed uncomfortably. "He said it's cause my grandparents live here."

Makoto considered her next words carefully. "He seems like a good dad. He probably didn't want you to be all alone all the time…"

Akane scowled. "Yeah, that's not it. He just wants to blow me off and go get drunk every night. Not just that, he… Mom was murdered and he won't- I… I'm sorry…"

"Murdered, huh…" Futaba said, quietly. Yusuke patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"I've just been so depressed ever since mom died…" Akane continued, sadly. "I wasn't having fun with stuff like I used to. Before I knew it, all my friends had ditched me…"

Akira looked up. He knew that feeling all too well… Nobody deserved such vile treatment. He wouldn't even wish it on his worst enemies…

"But nowadays, I'm doing a lot better thanks to my subscribers… But when I'm not streaming… I get really lonely…"

Makoto gave her a sympathetic look. "You want to know something? I lost my mother when I was young. At that point, my father had to raise my sister and me all by himself. Not only that- he was a police officer too. He would always be home so late, if at all… Happened so often that I really believed for a while that he didn't care about us. But one day, he was struck by a vehicle during an investigation and… he passed away."

"I… had no idea…" Akane replied softly.

"I had so many regrets at that point." Makoto continued. "I especially wished I'd shared more with my father. He had worked so hard for our family and the public, and I never thanked him at all for it… I just thought over and over, 'There's so much I wish I could say…' I know it's not my place to speak about your father and your relationship… but even still, I wish you could find a way to not blame your father for his work."

"But he-!" Akane snapped. "I-It's nothing… sorry…"

"What happened?" Makoto asked.

"I saw him… the man who ran mom over…" Akane frowned. "But they never arrested him. His secretary left behind some suicide note. Apparently it said, 'I'm the one who ran over that woman.'"

"That doesn't… If the police had an eyewitness, they'd never make such a huge error in their investigation," Makoto said, shocked.

"There are ways in which that doesn't matter, Makoto… and you know that." Akira thought, but chose not to interrupt.

"That's what he said…" Akane replied bitterly, "At first. Eventually, he gave up on it too. Him and the rest of the police- none of them listened to me. And I told them so many times… Why? Because I'm just some kid? The guy who killed my mom is still out there! He doesn't care about mom anymore. He doesn't care about me. I know he's just trying to find the next woman so he can get on with his life. I know he thinks I'm just in the way. I wish anyone but him was my father!"

"Stop that." Makoto snapped, sternly. "There is absolutely no way that your father doesn't care about you. I know you've suffered a lot, Akane-chan. But I really believe there has to be some sort of explanation for this. Hasegawa-san may seem like he doesn't care, but I have a feeling that he does, in his own way. Just a bit ago, he went through a lot of effort trying to reunite a lost boy with his mom. He's been there for us as well, in a way. I really mean it when I say Hasegawa-san reminds me of my own father."

"Are you serious…?" Akane asked.

"Even when I couldn't see him, he was always giving it his all for my sister and I…" Makoto said, "His family was always on his mind. And that's why I think your father's always working so hard as well, Akane-chan."

"Really…?"

"His face looks so much happier when you're around…" Makoto answered, smiling. "It's completely different from when he's out in the world. That should prove how important you are to him. You're the biggest thing in his world. Pushing him away isn't going to make you feel any better. It's only going to hurt you more. Instead, you should tell him how you really feel. Tell him everything so you can't regret it later. No matter what you have to say, I know he'll listen to you."

For a moment, it looked like she might have said the wrong thing, as Akane started crying.

"I'm sorry! I just wanted to help!" Makoto said, worriedly.

"T-Thank you…!" Akane sobbed, running over and hugging her tight.

Makoto, shocked by the sudden gesture, gently hugged her back, letting her cry into her shoulder. She gave a knowing look to her fellow thieves who were watching silently.

"Why is Akane crying;" Sophia asked, softly. "Is she in pain?"

"You'll get it someday…" Akira replied, subtly wiping his eyes behind his glasses.

What they didn't know was that Zenkichi heard the whole thing from the other side of his bedroom door. That was a real nice thing they'd done for Akane, he thought… Real nice… He'd never forget it.

~End of Chapter