It started when they first met. He met the boy detective and had felt... things. The flowers came after their first "date" of sorts. He'd helped to disguise Akechi from his fans, and they'd hung out a bit afterwards. Sure, they were secretly enemies, but a little crush couldn't hurt, right?
It should have stopped when he learned of his true nature. It should have stopped when they began to plan against him. It should have stopped when he tried to join them, knowing he was only there to take the thieves out from the inside.
Yet here he was,
Coughing up roses in Mementos.
Akira silently prayed none of the other thieves saw him like this, especially not Akechi. Futaba and Sojiro knew, and Mishima, Ryuji, and Yusuke found out during their time in Hawaii after they brought up crushes. He knew if Akechi found out, he'd only use it as more blackmail for the theives.
He cleaned himself up, the blood and roses blending in with the surrounding labrynth, and returned to the group, continuing the way towards the depths.
...
He wasn't fully sure how he ended up here. Arrested on mostly false charges, and face to face with the source of his problems.
Goro Akechi.
Akira's time was over. He knew it, Akechi knew it, and the theives...well if they could see it they'd know it too.
"I...I just have one last thing to say."
"Then say it."
"..."
The flowers came up again, stronger than ever in the past, blocking him from even breathing. He could feel his vision blurring as he began to black out. The last thing he saw was Akechi, smiling down at him in victory.