5/30
Yusuke stares at the curry. Smoke no longer curls off the food. The television whispers in the background, but he cannot focus on it.
He will never admit this to anyone, but he is quite proud of his hair. He does his best to ensure it maintains its sleek shine, its volume. He does this, because a long time ago, Madarame had said - in passing - that he had hair similar to his mother's. He cannot remember the context of the conversation.
Now, however, his hair hangs loose in his face. Strands slide through his vision. This is fine. Yusuke does not want to face the world today.
"That's gonna get cold, if it isn't already."
Yusuke lifts his gaze. Sojiro stands further down the bar, his back to him. He writes the specials of the day upon a small blackboard that hangs at eye level.
"My apologies," Yusuke mutters.
Sojiro shrugs. "It's no skin off my back, but it's not as good cold."
Yusuke does not know what to say. For the last few days, Akira has acted as a buffer between himself and 'Boss.'
But Akira is at school.
Morgana had gone with him, though he had first insisted on staying by Yusuke's side.
The news had come yesterday.
Madarame was dead. Stabbed.
The others had all looked at him, their expressions a mix of apprehension, confusion, and curiosity. How will he react, they all seemed to wonder.
Yusuke said little.
He'd opted to stay out of school an extra day, despite his dropped expulsion.
Morgana had insisted on staying with him. Yusuke had declined.
Akira had understood. Or seemed to, anyway.
Now, he sits with Sojiro.
"I would like to apologize," he mumbles. "For the great imposition I must be. Rest assured, I will be gone by tonight."
"Finally got that dorm situation resolved?" Sojiro asks. He finishes scratching out the specials, steps back, and nods.
"Ah. Yes. The mess has been adequately untangled."
"That's good."
"Indeed." He is not hungry, though he knows he has every right to be. He scoops up a spoonful and brings it to his mouth. It is still so good.
Sojiro turns and walks the length of the bar, towards the kitchen.
"Thank you," Yusuke says, as he passes. "For allowing me to stay here." Sojiro pauses and glances back. "My situation was dire."
Boss' eyes linger on him, and his face forms a frown. "You're one of those kids, aren't you?"
Yusuke blinks. "Kids?"
"The ones that Madarame guy stole from."
"You're... aware of that?"
He rolls his eyes. "It's been all over the news. I can put two and two together."
Yusuke clears his throat. Does he know about the Sayuri? It's right upstairs. "You are quite perceptive, it would seem." He nods. "But, you are correct. I am one of Madarame's apprentices. Or, rather, I was one."
Sojiro's gaze flicks towards the TV. "So, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry?"
"The guy, Madarame. He's dead, right?" He shrugs. "But, then again, he was real bastard, wasn't he?"
Yusuke feels himself bristle at the words, but only for a moment. He nods once more. "He was. He truly was."
And yet...
"And yet," Yusuke says. "I cannot help but wish he were still alive. It angers me to say it, because his greed rampaged unchecked and seemed infinite. He betrayed me. He betrayed my mother. He betrayed so many people."
When Yusuke looks up at Sojiro, he knows there are tears running down his face, but he doesn't care.
"But now he's gone, and I feel... I feel so sad. Why? He was a criminal of the highest caliber. He robbed me again and again. He never fed me. But when I think about our last exchange of words, I wish things had gone differently.
"Part of me, a not insubstantial part, wishes I knew none of it. That I had continued in ignorance, oblivious to his abuse and crimes. Because, even in the lie, I was happy, and I can't accept that a part of him wasn't happy either, even as he juggled all the sins." The words tumble from him, faster than he's used to. "What does that say about me? What does it say about me that a part of me wishes for that? That I wish he were here, now, eating this food with me? Smiling? Happy? Content? What does it mean that I want that?"
Sojiro shrugs. "I dunno."
Yusuke blinks, and some of the mist in his vision clears. "Oh." He wipes a sleeve across his face. "I was under the impression you'd have something more insightful to say."
Sojiro purses his lips. "Do I look like an insightful guy?"
He nods. "Quite. I believe it is the goatee and glasses."
Sojiro releases a deep chuckle. "I'll keep the look then." He steps forward and reaches for the plate. "Let me make you something fresh. Like I said, it's better hot."
"It's good regardless," Yusuke counters, but he lets Sojiro take the plate.
#
Before the school day can begin, an assembly is called.
The students file into the auditorium, among them, Akira, Ann, and Ryuji. Morgana is back in the classroom, napping.
They stand near the back, hands in pockets. Akira yawns.
"Hey," Ryuji says, and leans in. "How's Yusuke?"
Akira shrugs. "He says he's fine, but honestly? Probably not great."
Ryuji makes a face. "I did some more research last night, and rumor has it that the guy who killed Madarame was one of his former apprentices."
"You did 'research?'" Ann asks, a small smile forcing its way onto her face. "Did it involve a search engine and the first result?"
"Shut it," Ryuji replies. "But isn't it nuts?"
Akira nods, and runs his eyes over the surrounding students. No one seems to be listening. "If it's true. Madarame screwed over a lot of people. I can't say I'm that surprised."
Ann's face falls. "Still. Poor Yusuke."
"He'll get over it," Ryuji says.
"I mean, yeah," Ann replies. "But not soon. Madarame was a real creep, but he was like a father to him."
Ryuji scoffs. "Yeah. A father who didn't feed him."
"Like I said," Ann replies. "A creep."
Akira's mind drifts from the conversation, because the faculty ascends to the stage. Among them, is Makoto Niijima. He feels his blood speed up. What's she doing up there? He scans the faces of the faculty. There was Kawakami. Ushimaru moves towards the podium. Everyone is present, save for Kobayakawa. Where's the Principal? A brief, wild thought cuts through his mind, and he wishes he'd sent Morgana to check in on him. Could this be about Madarame? Why would it be? He can't shake the feeling that it is. That they slipped up. That they forgot about something and now it's too late. Calm down. It's a school assembly. That's all it is.
Then he realizes Ushimaru-sensei is speaking. "...heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Principal Kobayakawa."
There's a ripple through the crowd.
Ryuji swivels wide eyes towards Akira. "He's freakin' dead?"
"No way," Ann whispers.
How? Akira wonders.
Ushimaru continues. "In times such as these, those of us left behind must strive to both press on, and honor those who are gone. We will always remember Principal Kobayakawa's commitment to Shujin Academy, and to education as a whole."
Right, Akira thinks. He loved Shujin so much. Too bad he didn't give a shit about the students. An errant thought worms its way through his mind. I wonder if he had a Palace. It was too late to check now, but the possibility gnaws at him.
Ushimaru continues. "For those of you wishing to pay your respects, services will be held..." and so on and so forth. He gestures to the gathered faculty and Makoto, and reiterates the commitments of each. He speaks to doing Kobayakawa's memory proud.
And it goes on, and on, and on.
And then it's done.
Makoto had hardly done a thing, save a brief nod when Ushimaru notated her. She shuffles off the stage with the remainder of the faculty, and the students are told to return to their classes.
"Dude," Ryuji says, as the assembly breaks up.
"I know," Akira says, and pats the air. "I know. We'll talk after school, yeah?" He looks over at Ann, who nods.
What does this mean for us? Akira wonders. He joins the procession heading back into Shujin's halls. If Kobayakawa was dead, what was going to happen to the file on the Phantom Thieves he'd shown Makoto?
#
Once they exit the subway, and enter Yongen-jaya proper, Ryuji releases all his pent up questions. "How'd you think he died? Heart attack? That dude's cholesterol must've been through the roof! Oh, but what does that mean for us, you know? If he's for real dead, then does that mean the investigation is off?"
Ann makes a face, as they turn the corner towards LeBlanc. "How should we know, Ryuji?"
"Hey, I'm just putting these questions out there!"
Morgana pops his head out of Akira's bag. "Ryuji has a point. We don't really know what this means. It might mean nothing."
"Hold on," Ryuji says, and stops. There's a frown sketched across his face, and he shuts his eyes tight.
"What're you doing?" Ann asks, brows raised.
"Thinkin'," Ryuji replies.
"You seriously think like that?" She asks.
"Would you shut up?" Ryuji growls.
Akira sighs. "Let's let him think."
They stand there as Ryuji goes through whatever motions he needs to. A few moments later, he opens his eyes, and begins to speak slowly. As he does, he pats the air with his hands, as if he were setting his words carefully onto a table, in a proper order. "So, if Kobayakawa figured we were Shujin students, and asked the Prez to look into us, wouldn't his death mean that the Prez isn't looking into us anymore?"
Morgana lets out a groan. "You made us all shut up so you could think, and that's all you came up with?"
"Can it, cat," Ryuji replies. He looks at Akira. "But isn't that right?"
Akira shrugs. "As much as I would like to believe that," he begins, and makes a point to not glance in Ann's direction, "we don't know. Kobayakawa could've told someone else about his suspicions. Other than Makoto."
"Like the police?" Ann asks.
Akira shrugs. "I don't know about that. I want to err on the side of caution, but you'd think if the police had a whiff of us they'd have closed in already. After all, we're becoming pretty big. Especially after Madarame."
Morgana clears his throat. "That reminds me. We should check on Yusuke."
"Right," Akira says, and leads them the rest of the way to LeBlanc.
When he opens the door, it takes - as it always does - a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim light.
They focus just as he hears a voice call, "Hey there, cuz."
Ohya sits in one of the far booths, a smirk on her face, hands folded together beneath her chin. There's a steaming cup of coffee in front of her, and Sojiro leans against the bar a few feet from her, and the look he shoots Akira gives him the impression that he's just interrupted a serious flirting session.
He runs his eyes over the cafe. No sign of Yusuke. Either he wasn't in, or he was upstairs.
"Dude," Ryuji whispers. "What's she-"
"Could you take my bag?" Akira asks, and slides it off his shoulder. Morgana shifts around inside it. "I'll be up in a few minutes." As he hands the bag to Ryuji, he whispers, "If Yusuke's upstairs, text me."
"Is everything okay?" Ann asks.
Akira glances back at Ohya. "I think so." But I never know with her.
The two blondes nod to Sojiro and make their way upstairs. Akira comes to a stop at Ohya's booth.
"Have a seat," she says, and gestures at the spot across from her. Then she looks up at Sojiro. "Sorry, Boss. I've got to borrow my apprentice here for a while. But I'm still seriously considering your proposal."
Sojiro smirks, and heads back around the bar.
Proposal? Oh god, what proposal? If they got together, that would be too much! Way too much! Dammit! Focus! He steadies his breathing. His phone vibrates.
"Sorry," he says, and makes to pull it out. "One sec."
"Take your time," Ohya replies.
ANN: He's here.
Akira begins to type a response.
AKIRA: Tell him that next time we'd appreciate a head's up!
He deletes it instead. No need to give Yusuke a hard time on what must already be a hard day for him. He texts a quick 'thanks,' instead, and slides his phone back into his pocket.
"So, what's up?" He asks.
"'What's up,' he says," Ohya replies, and shakes her head. "I think we both know." She leans forward and whispers. "It looks like the Phantom Thieves of Hearts were successful. But, the question is, how successful?"
"What'd you mean?" Akira asks.
"I can buy that these mysterious friends you've got managed to get Madarame to confess. But let me ask you this. Did they kill him?"
Akira's eyes widen. "What? No, of course not!"
Ohya raises her hands, palms out. "Hey now, take it easy."
Akira glances back towards Sojiro, but if the man heard his little outburst, he doesn't show any sign. "The Phantom Thieves don't kill people. You saw the news, didn't you? It was someone else. People online are saying it was a former apprentice of his. One of those drug addicts you told me about."
Ohya lifts her cup of coffee and brings it to her lips. Her sip is slow. Very slow. Once done, she lets out a long, "Ahhh," before saying, "Sure. Makes sense. Asshole painter comes clean about his scam, and some unstable young man takes his revenge. Nice and clear cut. Nice and easy." She sets the cup down. "A little too easy, if you ask me."
"What'd you mean?"
Ohya shrugs. "The Phantom Thieves can change hearts, right?"
Akira nods. "Right."
"Well, what else can they do?"
"Huh?"
She brings her hands together. "I'm asking if the Phantom Thieves can do things to people, other than change their hearts. For instance, could they compel someone to kill another person?"
Akira doesn't realize his hands are fists until he looks down at them. "That's not-"
She cuts him off. "Just, hear me out. Don't interrupt. Don't get mad. Just listen. The Phantom Thieves wanted to change Madarame's heart. Or, rather, they wanted Madarame to confess to his crimes, which we both know were horrible. So, somehow, they make that happen. Ichiryusai Madarame gets on TV and tells everyone how shitty he is.
"Perfect. Wonderful. All according to plan. Everything played out the way the Phantom Thieves wanted. Only, what if that's not the case? What if Madarame didn't have a change of heart? What if he'd been blackmailed? What if he was going to recant at a later date? What if he knew something about the Phantom Thieves? Something that could expose them, or hurt them, or whatever?"
Akira opens his mouth to protest, but Ohya soldiers on. "The Phantom Thieves already got their confession. They succeeded as far as the public is concerned. But, what if, to protect themselves, they knew they had to shut Madarame up for good? And what better way, than with a former apprentice?" She holds up one hand, palm towards the ceiling. "Madarame confesses. The Phantom Thieves are heroes in the eyes of the public." She holds up her other hand, the same way. "Madarame dies. He gets what he deserved in the eyes of the public." She brings her hands together. "And the Phantom Thieves remain anonymous. Remain mystical. Remain heroes."
She picks up her cup of coffee, and takes another very long sip.
Akira waits until she's said, "Ahhh," again, before he begins to speak. "So, the Phantom Thieves were willing to do what exactly? Ruin the life of a drug addict by framing him for a murder?"
Ohya's smile widens to a smirk. "You know, I was hoping you would bring him up." She taps her skull with her knuckles. "Whatever else you think of me, you should know I've got a pretty damn good memory. I've got a list of Madarame's former apprentices tattooed across the gray matter between my ears. So, once the rumor mill started churning, it didn't take me long to track down who it was. Daiki Aoe."
"You work fast," Akira says.
"That's the job, cuz," she replies. "Here's the thing about Daiki Aoe." Her smile falls away. "Yes. He was a drug addict. But he'd been going through a program. As of three days ago, he was thirty days clean."
"How'd you know that?" Akira asks.
"Because I spoke with people who are in the program with him. Apparently, Daiki Aoe was adamant about 'this time' being different. He wanted to turn his life around. And from what I could gather, he did everything right. He was clean, Akira."
Akira doesn't like where this is going. "Okay, so...?"
"So, I have a hard time believing he would snap like that, relapse, and then go murder someone. Why would he do that? Because his former master confirmed what he knew to be the truth all along? Daiki Aoe should've been vindicated the moment Madarame confessed, and instead, he went out and murdered him."
Akira drums his fingers across the table, and thinks. "But, it's like you said, he was a drug addict. That stuff can mess with your head. It can make you do crazy things."
Ohya reaches across the table and grabs Akira's hand. He blinks and almost yanks it back, but doesn't. He lifts his eyes to hers'. "Akira, come on," she says. "Think. Does this really make sense to you?" She glances over his shoulder, and he realizes she's checking to see if Sojiro is close by. "There's something else. Apparently, Daiki Aoe is insistent that he doesn't remember doing anything. He doesn't even remember seeing or hearing about Madarame's confession."
"And how do you know that?" Akira asks.
"Because I've got sources in the police." She nods at whatever she sees on Akira's face. "I know, I know. I'm very impressive. But that's not the point, Akira. The point is, something is off about all this."
"What?" Akira asks.
Ohya takes her hand from his and leans back in her seat. "That brings me to my next point. Your Principal is dead, right?"
Akira is about to ask her how she knows about that, but realizes he doesn't wish to sound like a broken record, and really, he should just stop questioning her investigative prowess.
Instead, he nods. "There was an assembly today. They told us then."
"I don't suppose they told you how he died?"
Akira tries not to let his eagerness show. "They didn't. But, you know?"
She nods. "I do. And I want to tell you."
"You want to tell me? Why don't you just tell me?"
And then Ohya's grin returns in force. "Hey now, I thought you were catching on. You scratch my back, and I tell you how your Principal died."
Akira sighs. "Fine. I'll tell you what I can but-"
"Uh-uh," Ohya says, and raises an index finger which she waves from side to side. "That's not what I want. What I want is your continued assistance."
"With what?" Akira asks. "Madarame's story is done, isn't it?"
"Not really, but your role is." She takes another frustratingly long sip of her coffee. "Here's the thing, Akira. You've managed to, in your own awkward and bumbling way, to somewhat, kind of, fragmentally so, impress me. I'm not going to ask you how you got those photos from Natsuki Storage, because, honestly, I'd prefer not to know." She giggles. "That's a lie. I'm actually dying to know, but I'll restrain myself for the good of our relationship."
"Our relationship?"
She nods. "I'd like to keep this little partnership of ours going. You hit the bricks with me from time to time, follow up on leads, and work whatever strange magic you've got that let you get those photos."
"And what do I get?"
"Besides a crash course in investigative journalism? You'll get what I know, when I know it. I won't give you the names of sources. I won't betray confidences. But if there's something you need to know, or something I think you need to know, and I can get it for you, I will."
Akira stares at her. Isn't he done with this? He'd reached out to Ohya for the sake of the Madarame investigation, and that was over. What else could she give him? But, as evidenced by this very conversation, she had information to give him. Information that might be more relevant to him than she even imagined.
And, when he thinks about it, the idea of helping Ohya with another assignment, was an enticing one. Sure, she was quirky. Yet, he liked spending time with her.
And if she does have sources inside the police, those might come in handy later.
"Okay," he says. "It's a deal."
Ohya lets out a sigh, and looks more relieved than anything. "Good. That's good. Because I really wanted to tell you what happened to your Principal."
"So what did happen?"
Ohya meets his eyes and says, "He killed himself."
Akira blinks. He looks right back at her, but doesn't say anything.
"He threw himself off of his apartment's balcony."
All Akira can think to ask is, "Why?"
"He hit the pavement, and the police were called. Naturally, they figured foul play might've been involved. They went up to the apartment and investigated. They found the door locked from the inside, and no indication of a struggle. Given his size, if there had been a struggle, there would've been a damn clear sign of it." She bites her lower lip, and almost looks nervous. "But, they did find a note."
"A suicide note?"
"No, Akira. A fucking grocery list. Yes, a suicide note."
Akira feels his cheeks redden. "Sorry."
Ohya shakes her head. "No, that was my bad. This is probably hard to hear." She stares down at her coffee. "God, do I need a drink. So look, they found a note, and it said something. My source in the police gave me the details."
"So, what did it say?"
Ohya takes a deep breath. "It said, 'I'm sorry. I knew all along. The Phantom Thieves were right.'"
I'm sorry.
I knew all along.
The Phantom Thieves were right.
The Phantom Thieves were right.
The Phantom Thieves...
...were right.
The Phantom Thieves...
Phantom Thieves...
Suicide note.
Oh, shit.
He looks at Ohya, and she nods. "Do you see? Do you get it?"
Akira does. "I... but-"
"Akira," Ohya says. "Please. Be careful. I don't know what this all means. But if it means the worst thing it could mean, then these Phantom Thieves you hold in high regard are not who you think they are."
#
After Ohya leaves, Akira trudges up the steps to his room.
Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke meet him at the top.
"Is she gone?" Yusuke asks, and Akira notices that he appears to be vibrating.
He nods. "Yep."
"Excellent," he replies. "When she entered, I was heading upstairs to gaze upon the Sayuri once more. I recognized her at once from your description of her appalling taste in clothes. I thought it best to keep myself hidden. I did not want to give away any unnecessary details of our escapades."
Akira smiles and pats him on the shoulder. "Good job, Yusuke. By the way, are you okay?"
Yusuke leans against the railing. "Ah, well. I have had to urinate for some time now, but with her downstairs, did not deem it safe to do so."
Ryuji bursts out into laughter.
Ann scowls. "Oh, gross."
Yusuke glares at her. "I will not be shamed by the functions of my body!" And then he bounds down the stairs towards the bathroom.
It is a decent amount of time before he returns. Akira waits until he does.
"So, what'd Ohya want?" Ryuji asks.
"Aside from a new wardrobe?" Ann asks, giggles, and raises her hand for a high-five from Ryuji.
The blonde boy just shakes his head and says, "Weak."
Ann pouts, but Yusuke nods. "I too, would like to know why she came here," he says.
Akira sits down on his bed, and then leans back until he's staring at the ceiling. "Where to begin?" He asks.
He does his best to recount everything Ohya told him.
"Wait, wait, wait," Ryuji says, and shakes his head. "She thinks we killed Madarame?"
"And Principal Kobayakawa?" Ann asks, mouth gaping. "That's... that's..."
"Reprehensible," Yusuke growls. "To think that we would stoop to something so low? How could she-"
"Guys," Akira says, and pushes himself up to a sitting position. "I get it. But think about it from her perspective. Madarame confesses, and then gets killed. Kamoshida goes to jail, and Kobayakawa, who knew about the abuse, also dies, after writing a note declaring that the 'Phantom Thieves were right.'" He shrugs. "Honestly, when it's all spelled out like that, if I wasn't a Phantom Thief, I'd think something weird was going on too."
"Hold on," Morgana says, from where he sits on the desk. "Do you think something weird is going on?"
Akira looks at each of them. "The way I see it, there are a few options."
He makes a fist, and lifts his thumb. "Option One. The Phantom Thieves killed Madarame and Kobayakawa."
"Which is bullshit," Ryuji growls.
"Crazy," Ann shouts.
"Erroneous on both counts!" Yusuke puts in.
Akira nods. "Guys, I know. Just listen. Option One. The Phantom Thieves killed Madarame and Kobayakawa." He lifts his index finger. "Option Two. The Phantom Thieves didn't kill Madarame or Kobayakawa. A drug addict killed Madarame, and Kobayakawa killed himself."
"That has to be it," Ryuji replies.
Akira catches Morgana's eye. The cat looks very uncomfortable. "What's the next option, Akira?" Morgana asks.
Akira lifts his middle finger. "Option Three. The Phantom Thieves didn't kill Madarame or Kobayakawa. Someone else did. Or, they did in one but not the other."
No one says anything for a time. One by one, the Phantom Thieves glance at one another, eyes wide, mouths shut.
Then, Ann breaks the silence. "What, exactly, makes you say that?"
Akira frowns. "I can't help but think Ohya's right. But not for the reason she thinks. To her, there's only Option One and Option Two. But think about it, guys. Madarame confesses, and then two hours later, someone else - who can't remember either hearing or seeing the confession - kills him? And two days ago, the Principal of Shujin Academy, where the Phantom Thieves struck first, kills himself, but not before writing a suicide note where he mentions us, specifically?"
He looks at each of them. Only Morgana's eyes flicker with realization. The others look confused. "Pretend you're not Phantom Thieves," Akira says. "Pretend you don't know anything about the Metaverse, or Palaces or whatever. If someone just spelled everything out to you, like I just did, what would you think?"
It clicks for Yusuke first. "I would think the Phantom Thieves might've had a hand in Sensei's death, as well as the supposed suicide of the Principal."
Ann looks down at her feet. "No way."
Ryuji's brows furrow, and he shrugs. "Okay, but so what? We know the truth. We know we didn't do anything to those guys, so what's the problem?"
"That's not what he's saying, Bonehead," Morgana hisses. "Think about what it all means!"
Akira nods. "Maybe Ohya's half-right. Maybe someone really did kill Madarame and Kobayakawa. She thinks the Phantom Thieves did it, but we know that's wrong. But we're the only ones who can prove that. And if that's the case, and someone else did kill Madarame and Kobayakawa, then-"
Yusuke interrupts. "Then they're looking to hoist the blame for their deaths onto us."
"Exactly," Akira says. Ryuji mouth drops open. Akira gives him a small smile. "Sorry, man. But that's not the worst of it, either."
"For real?" The blonde asks.
"If someone is able to do that? Kill Madarame and Kobayakawa and blame it on us, then that would mean-"
This time, it's Morgana who interrupts. "That would mean someone else knows about the Metaverse."
Ryuji's mouth hangs open. "Dude," he says.
Everyone drifts into silence.
#
But what can they do?
They can plan, and they do, but to what end? They make decisions. They decide. And then that's all they can do.
Ryuji and Ann leave at the same time.
Yusuke sticks around for a bit. He's got to pack the remainder of his sparse things before he heads to the Kosei dorms.
Akira doesn't know what to say to him. Given the bomb he dropped on them, he hasn't even gotten to talk about Madarame's death, and how it has affected his friend.
And then, Yusuke picks up the Sayuri and brings it to Akira. "Here," he says.
Akira reaches for it without thinking, and only after it is in his hands, does he ask, "What're you doing?"
"I would like you to have it," Yusuke says, with a nod.
"Yusuke, I can't, come on-"
Yusuke lifts a hand to stop him. "Please. It deserves a place of honor. And I can think of no better place than the headquarters of our little group of troublemakers." He rubs the back of his neck with one hand. "Besides, I feel that, were I to hang it in my dorm room, it would draw regrettable attention, given the 'Great Sayuri Scandal." He grins. "For me, it will be enough to see it when we convene to discuss our thievery."
Akira glances away. "You know, you don't have to just come over for that."
"Yeah," Morgana says, from the bed. "You're welcome here, anytime!"
"Thank you," Yusuke replies. "I am aware. Boss stated that seeing as how I was the one millionth customer to his establishment, I would have a year's worth of free curry."
Akira opens his mouth to say, "That's not-" and then he shuts it. "Cool," he says, instead. He looks down at the Sayuri. "But I'm just going to hold this for you, got it?"
"Of course," Yusuke says, and shoulders his pack. He glances at the other paintings, shoved away in the corner. "I shall endeavor soon to relieve you of them, as well. We still have Sensei's mirrored GPS, yes?"
Akira nods.
Yusuke hesitates before he reaches the stairs. "I felt hopeless, you know," he says.
"Huh?" Akira asks. Morgana hops off the bed and walks up alongside him. The two glance at one another.
"When Madarame kicked me out, and got me expelled all in one stroke of villainy. I felt utterly hopeless. And yet, here I am. I have come out the other side, not unscathed, but whole." He looks back at Akira. "I can see the worry on your face, my friend. But we will make it through to the other side. Because we are the Phantom Thieves. And that is what the Phantom Thieves do. Escort people through, as they escorted me. All we must do, is escort ourselves."
Akira smiles. "You know, I'm gonna miss having you as a roommate, Yusuke."
Yusuke shakes his head. "I'm afraid I do not feel the same way. As I've said, you snore." He nods to Morgana. "You have my sympathies, Morgana. Farewell."
Then, he turns, and heads down the stairs.
##
A/N: Yeah, it's a little early, but who cares, right?
Gotta say, while the first four episodes really didn't do it for me, I kind of enjoyed this last episode. Got some Makoto. Got some Sae. Got some Akechi being a straight-up bitch.
Also, fun fact: turns out I spent my honeymoon in the hotel the Phantom Thieves partied in! That's right! You heard it here first: I'm one of those shitty adults Ryuji is always complaining about! Who knew?
Now, today was the Kentucky Derby, so I've had a few drinks. I'll try to be as succinct as I can. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for telling your friends about Crimson. Thank you for talking about it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It means so damn much to me.
The next chapter will be up on Wednesday! I'll see you then!