November 24 Thursday
The streets of Shinjuku were busy as always as Yu followed Ren through the streets. Naoto's small stature could have easily been lost in the sea of the crowd, but luckily the detective was quite familiar at tailing people. Yu saw Ren dart off into an alley and quickly followed after him. The alley was fairly barren except for a woman sitting at a small table, a deck of Tarot cards in front of her. As soon as they entered the alley the woman locked eyes with Ren and had a surprised look on her face.
"Ren-kun!?" She quickly got to her feet almost knocking over the table as she stood. Ren quickly made a slick move to stop the table from being tossed to the ground.
"I need a fortune, Mifune-san" Ren curtly said as he moved to sit down at the table in front of the woman.
"A fortune, really?" Naoto seemed to grumble, but she didn't see what Yu saw, this woman was clearly a confidant of Ren's.
The fortune teller glanced towards Yu and Naoto with an uneasy look which Ren quickly picked up on. "Don't worry about them." Ren announced.
"Okay Ren-kun… Which type of fortune can I do for you?" Chihaya Mifune let a smile grow on her face as she picked up the tarot cards.
"A special fate reading." Ren calmly announced.
"Alright then!" Chihaya placed the cards out in a familiar pattern before slowly flipping them over one by one. There was a silence as she read the cards before her. "Trickster, you have evaded death once, but it would appear it is still on your heels. You have gained new friends that will help you. They will prove invaluable in the future. There is a problem in your near future, but it will be solved today."
Ren nodded as if almost expecting this reading. Yu had to admit it sounded pretty accurate with the information he had about Ren. Maybe this simple fortune teller held more power than it would first appear. Ren had seemed to be putting quite a bit of trust in her abilities. Also the fact she called him Trickster was a note that really hit home for Yu.
Ren took a deep breath before pointing to Yu. "Can you do his fortune? I'll pay the standard price for him."
Chihaya looked towards Yu before picking up her cards and once again. "Sir, can you please take a seat?" She gestured to the seat before her as Ren took one next to her.
Despite Naoto's scoff, Yu took a seat in front of the fortune teller. Naoto took a few steps forward to stand behind him, clearly not hiding her skepticism at the woman's abilities to predict anything. Yu didn't blame Naoto. For her everything could be explained with enough facts, even the fact they were persona users. Yu however, got the distinct impression the woman before him had powers that weren't something Naoto would be able to explain easily. Slowly the woman before him placed down Tarot cards and carefully flipped them over.
"You're a strong leader and have faced much adversity, but you are deeply scared of being alone so you keep those around you close." Chihaya started as she slowly flipped over cards. "You came here to solve a mystery but it would appear your fate became closely tied to the trickster because of this." For a second her eyes flickered to Ren before she looked back at the cards and slowly flipped over the last ones. "You will find some victories in the near future but..." Her face contorts slightly. "There is an unseen danger lurking, for death is on your heels as well." Chihaya looked to Ren. "You keep some strange company Ren-kun."
"Thank you Mifune-san, that's all I wanted to know." Ren said as he paid the fortune teller.
Naoto stared at the table as if analyzing it. Yu got up, his own mind going over what the Fortune teller told him. Unseen danger. The words just echoed in his head before he dismissed them and bowed to the fortune teller. He would dwell on those words later, but for now there was much too do. Ren threw his bag over his shoulder and looked at the two adults.
"Let's go" He clearly was unfazed by the predictions, or possibly it was more accurate to say he wasn't showing how the predictions affected him.
"Arcana?" Yu asked feeling he already knew which one of the teenager's confidant this one represented.
"Fortune," Ren replied as they all made their way through the streets once again.
"Huh." Yu looked to Naoto who had gone silent next to him.
Naoto noticed the look and returned with her own pointed one. "What?"
"You're a fortune." Yu remarked simply.
"I'm nothing like that fortune teller. I deal in facts, not sorcery. This persona arcana thing is rather nonsensical. Mr. World arcana. Or is it fool?" Naoto sounded as if she was scolding a small child.
Ren slowed to listen to the conversations in the bustle of Shinjuku. "He's world. I'm fool. You're actually Judgment for me Shirogane-san"
Naoto smirked as if she had suddenly won an argument. "I can accept that more than Fortune!"
Yu let Naoto just win the argument because he honestly really didn't feel Fortune fit Naoto very well either. Fate was funny how it swayed. Nothing remarkable happened really after that. They made it back to their car and got Ren to his appointment with his friends. The other thieves invited him to stay, but they told them they had to get to the police station. They said good-bye and as Yu left, he heard Ren start to get bombarded with questions. He knew the kid could handle it.
Stepping into the police station, no one batted an eye at them except the bored-looking police officer at the front desk to which they showed their detective badges. A call was sent to Sae Niijima that they were on their way before the desk directed them through the station towards the prosecutor's quarters. Having already made this trek a few days before, they already knew the way. As they approached the room, there was one familiar face that Yu hadn't met yet but still recognized from the files.
"That's him." Naoto affirmed without stopping and keeping her voice low enough so only Yu could hear.
Both detectives entered the office as Yu took a more passive approach. They had agreed that Naoto would do the talking like always. Not that Yu couldn't be trusted, it was more that Yu was a trump card and the less anyone knew about him the better. Also he was far better at playing the strong silent type than Naoto. A conversation Akechi and Niijima seemed to be having was cut off with the arrival of the two detectives.
"Forgive us. Are we intruding Niijima-san?" Naoto asked.
"No, I was told you were coming." Sae beckoned both of them into the room. "How has the case been?"
"We are still following up on some leads. Nothing concrete." Naoto explained as she reached into her leather bag and pulled out some files to hand to Sae.
"Niijima-san who are your new friends?" Akechi asked as Yu felt his eyes study the both of them. He was being sized up, but Yu remained cool.
"Oh forgive me Akechi-san. These are some private investigators that have offered their time on one of my cases. They were the reason I called you here, maybe you might be able to assist them better than I can." Sae explained before motioning to the two of them. "Please introduce yourselves."
Naoto turned to Akechi and gave a slight bow to the boy detective. "I'm Naoto Shirogane and this is my partner Yu Narukami." Yu watched as Naoto quickly leveled her gaze off at the detective prince. "You're Goro Akechi I presume?"
"You're presumptions are indeed correct. Shirogane..?" Akechi acted as if he recognized the name before he blinked. "Ah you're the first detective prince are you not..? Granted I didn't expect a prince to be so beautiful." The smile he gave Naoto was warm and if Yu didn't know better he'd even say it was genuine.
"Correct." Naoto smoothly affirmed with a good natured smile.
"It's an honor Shirogane-san. I never thought I'd get the honor to meet my predecessor. What case are you two working on if I may ask?" Akechi questioned.
"The phantom thief one. You have only caught their ring leader correct? There are several still on the loose and I won't let them escape into the shadows. That's not how justice works." Naoto brought a little passion into her voice as she spoke.
"Shame the ring leader decided to commit suicide, we still don't know much about their methods." Akechi lamented.
Naoto glanced at Yu. "We have a theory on that. This isn't the first time I've dealt with something supernatural."
"Oh?" Akechi perked up.
"I'd like to hear this theory as well." Sae interjected from her desk.
Naoto let a smile come to her face, as if she was letting down her defenses a bit. "Are any of you familiar with a criminal named Tohru Adachi?"
Silence.
"I thought not." Naoto quickly said. "This case might be a bit personal for me. He was a part of a case I was involved in five years ago, he caused the murder of several woman but his MO was… peculiar. He claims to have thrown them into the television. Absurd I know, but none of his victims show any evidence on how they died and they all appeared on roof top antennas with no supporting evidence on how they got there. No matter how you look at the case it would have been impossible to convict Adachi, but he took the fall for the crime. Further interviews with him revealed he had been gifted the power to throw them into the TV where, we'll call them shadows, within the TV actually killed the woman and that there was a whole world within the TV. He threw them in knowing they would die. He stated he got a 'kick' out of it."
Both Niijima and Akechi exchanged concerned looks before Akechi spoke. "And you believe this TV theory somehow connects to the phantom thieves?"
"I can't reasonably rule it out. If the thieves were able to pull hearts out from this TV world, it might be able to explain the change of heart. The mental shutdowns have been the suspect's first excursions as they feel infantile in nature and they eventually progressed to stealing hearts after gaining experience." Naoto informed calmly.
"That's quite a theory Shirogane-san…" Akechi responded, his tone seemed to denote he was impressed on some level.
"Still a theory though, I have no supporting evidence. Possibly you could give me the name of the ring leader as it would help me." Naoto asked.
Akechi shook his head. "That isn't information we want released to the public, but I'm surprised if they are working for you that you haven't told them Niijima-san."
"That's why I asked them in today. I had to get approval to release that information." Sae explained before she looked at Naoto with a pointed look as she folded her hands in front of her. "His name was Ren Amamiya. He was a minor at the time of his death. Had an assault on his record and was on probation. Please be considerate to his family."
"Of course." Naoto nodded before she put her hand to her chin and gave Yu a sideways glance. "He was a minor. That fits my profile. It's possible that his accomplices are also minors, but I doubt all of them are."
"You already had a profile?" Akechi pressed, trying to pull information out of Naoto.
"Yes. By the crude nature of the calling card left at the Kamoshida incident it's safe to assume this is the first time they decided to go public. Accounting for those mass mental shut down cases as nothing but them learning the ropes, Kamoshida was the first case they wanted everyone to talk about. To know of Kamoshida's crime I believe it's safe to assume they would have had to have a connection to him. Kamoshida's crimes were a blatant open secret, but still a secret to begin with. Students, teachers, and even parents of that school all became suspects. The appearance of the phansite and the sites needing to validate the Phantom Thieves seemed to suggest that we are dealing with minors who's concept of crime hasn't been fully established." Naoto explained calmly.
"Those are some brilliant deductions Shirogane-san, where were you six months ago?" Sae asked.
"I'm sorry I arrived so late, but I still believe there is much of this case left to solve." Naoto explained, there was a confidence to her tone Yu couldn't deny.
"Well you are definitely spot on. I look forward to working with the first detective prince from now on." Akechi switched his brief case to his other hand and reached out to shake Naoto's hand.
"The honor is mine Akechi..kun? Also please call me Naoto." Naoto tested the water trying to be welcoming with her young protégé.
While the action might have seemed empty, Naoto's pure intention was to connect to Akechi. She had already read his file, he was an only child of a single mom that had committed suicide. He had been passed around from foster to foster until he was able to stand on his own with his detective skills. Naoto, who's parents had died in a car crash and left her in the care of her grandfather, could understand the loneliness that came with all that. She wanted nothing more than to save Akechi and Yu would do whatever it took to support her as her partner.
"Naoto-senpai please teach me, I'm sure there is plenty I could learn from you." Akechi smirked.
"I look forward to teaching you all I can, but there are still some things I myself need to learn." Naoto modestly smiled.
"Perhaps we can go over the case later tonight? Over dinner?" Akechi started. "I know a place not far from here."
Naoto thought about it for a minute. "My partner and I have a few leads to go over, but maybe I could send him off so I can clear up my evening. What do you think?"
Yu nodded silently, not speaking.
"Alright then can I get your number so I can give you details later? I have a meeting to get to." Akechi asked as he pulled out his phone.
"Of course!" Naoto pulled out her phone as well.
The two exchanged numbers and Akechi excused himself from the office. Naoto watched him go as Yu stepped up to Sae. The prosecutor had a particular look on her face as she had silently watched the interaction. A look that quickly faded as Yu stepped up to her replaced by the look of a seasoned prosecutor cross examining a witness.
"Our deal still stands." Yu reiterated speaking for the first time in a while.
"Of course," Sae nodded as she pulled up the folder Naoto had handed her when they had first arrived.
"I'll let you know when we have more information." Naoto turned to Sae her expression returning to a straight business-like demeanor.
"I believe in you. Be careful though. You seem to be playing a dangerous game with Akechi," Sae's voice was low.
"This is a risk I need to take, if you'll excuse us." Naoto tipped her hat to Sae before they both exited the office.
The pair made a beeline through the police station straight for their SUV. Naoto got in and unlocked the door before Yu also got in. As soon as Yu shut his door, Naoto sighed and let her head fall to the steering wheel. Naoto just sat there for several long seconds before Yu reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. Naoto gave another sigh before picking herself up and looking at Yu.
"He likes me?" Naoto asked to confirm her suspicion.
"He likes you." Yu affirmed with a nod.
"I mean we are only three years apart. He is a young man and I guess..." Naoto started trying to analyze everything.
"You are attractive." Yu finished, knowing it would be hard for his partner to do so. "Are you going to join him for dinner?"
"I feel I could get valuable insight from him if I did and our keyword, but Kanji would flip if he knew. Akechi isn't someone on the right side of the law." Naoto groaned letting her head fall onto her steering wheel again.
"Then we should tell him." Yu stated with a shrug as if the answer was that simple. "I always have your back."
Naoto paused for a second seeming to think things over. She pulled herself up and started the car. The rest of the drive was rode in silence as Naoto seemed to take the time to just think of what she was going to do. They really needed that keyword, but her feelings for Kanji couldn't be overlooked. She loved him despite everything. They were a real beauty and the beast couple but they just clicked if anyone actually saw them together. Yu let Naoto have her silence to think even as they arrived back at Rise's condo.
As they stepped into the condo, they were greeted by the shouts of Yosuke and Teddie apparently playing some fighting game on the living room's large screen TV. The living room had been reset to how it normally looked and Rise was lounged not far from Teddie and Yosuke her nose in one of the current issues of tabloid magazines. Yu understood as an idol it was important for her to keep up on the latest gossip, but personally he hated such things. Yosuke and Teddie didn't look up from their game as he and Naoto stepped in, but they both seemed pretty absorbed into it. Rise on the other hand lowered her magazine and smiled at the two.
"How did it go?" Rise asked warmly.
"… Rise, can I talk to you a moment..?" The hesitation in Naoto voice was evident and caused a concerned look to instantly appear on Rise's face.
"Sure... Let's talk in the office." Rise rose to her feet and tossed the magazine onto the coffee table.
It was at this moment Yosuke seemed to notice the tension Naoto suddenly brought into the room. He paused his game with Teddie and glanced over the group. After not getting clues what was going on he gave Yu a confused look as if searching for answers from his best friend. Naoto and Rise retreated into the office and closed the door as Yu moved to sit down next to his guy friends.
"So what was that all about?" Yosuke asked, glancing in the direction of the office.
Yu sighed. "Naoto thinks she can get the keyword out of Akechi, but there's a problem."
"A problem? Is something wrong with Nao-chan?" Teddie asked confused as he put down his controller, concern appearing on the face of his bear costume.
Yu paused not knowing if he should fully explain everything. Their group always had an unwritten rule that they were honest with each other, sometimes painfully so. But Yu didn't know if this was something the whole group needed to know. Kanji had calmed down considerably in these past five years, but if he had even a clue someone was even looking at Naoto like that, let alone that Naoto had agreed to dinner, it would both hurt Kanji and awaken that side of him that wasn't so nice. Kanji in most cases had a bigger bark than bite, but that was lost when it came to Naoto. He had worked too hard to secure his relationship with her that he was just down right protective. Still, it wasn't fair to Kanji.
"Let's leave it at that for now." Yu tried to hide everything behind a smile.
"Okay…" Teddie seemed to whine.
"If you say so Yu." Yosuke shrugged quickly dismissing it. "Alright Ted pick your character. This next round belongs to me!"
Teddie took the bait and quickly grabbed his controller. "You're on Yosuke! GRRRR!"
Yu smiled as he settled down on the couch to watch his two friends play. The tension for now was cut as Yosuke and Teddie dueled it out on some fighting game Yu was vaguely familiar with. Both of them were evenly matched and seemed to really enjoy beating each other. The cheerful banter between the two blasted but in the back of his mind he kept drifting off to speculate on the conversation Rise and Naoto were having. It was the sound of his phone going off that pulled him from his thinking and back into the present. Pulling out his phone it was a text from Ren.
Joker: We got the keyword. It was 'ship.'
Phase one of the plan was going well.
Kingpin: Will you be needing our help?
Joker: I don't think so but we should talk in person soon. How's your end?
Kingpin: We might have a lead but it has some complications we need to overcome.
Joker: Leblanc tomorrow? Futaba and Morgana will join us.
Kingpin: How about here at the condo? We can pick you guys up and that way we won't disturb Sojiro
Joker: Sure. See you then
"Was that Ren?" Yosuke asked as he leaned in to glance at Yu's phone.
"Yeah, keyword was ship. Now we just need our keyword." Yu acknowledged as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
It was this moment the door to the office opened and Naoto and Rise stepped out, Naoto had a phone up to her ear as she stepped into the room. The small nod Rise gave him spoke that they had sorted everything out. Naoto let out a sigh as she stepped up to Yu and handed him her phone, Yu gave his partner a confused look but he took the phone anyways.
"Hello?" Yu started.
"Yu, I need ta talk to ya. Man ta man." The voice of Kanji echoed from the procured cell phone.
"Go on," Yu glanced at Naoto who gave him a slightly nervous but apologetic look.
"So this Akechi person… is he handsome? I want an honest answer from you. The girls won't give me one." Kanji asked and Yu could almost imagine him pacing his mom's store back in Inaba.
"Yes," Yu decided he'd not mince words with one of his best friends.
There was a swift inhale from the other side of the phone followed by several expletives. "Alright, Alright… Yu I know you have Naoto's back but..." There was a pause that was filled with several more expletives. "Naoto insists this punk is someone she wants to save and sounds like this kid is in a bad way. Also those other kids… Ya know the thieves need him to have a change of heart… Fuck… Look Yu can ya just do me a favor and say you'll keep an eye on Naoto for me?"
"I'd give my life for her Kanji. You don't need to worry." Yu stated plainly earning him a look from everyone in the room. It wasn't an answer he wouldn't give for any of his friends so it was more surprising to him that everyone was so shocked about those simple words.
"What? Really?" The startled tone of Kanji echoed on the other end of the line. "I mean… Wow... I didn't really expect that answer but that answer kinda fits coming from you."
"Is there anything else you need Kanji?" Yu asked so calmly after such a bold declaration.
"Naah man, can ya give the phone back to Naoto?" Kanji said to which gave Yu gave Naoto back her phone.
"See I'll be fine, nothing to worry about." Naoto tried to reassure her boyfriend. "Yes..." A smile. "Alright I'll see you than. I love you too." Naoto hung up and let out a sigh of relief.
"Give your life?" Rise questioned him with a look.
Yu shrugged then stated in the most matter of fact tone as possible. "It's the same for anyone in our group, you all should know that."
Suddenly Yosuke tackled Yu from behind locking him in a head lock, instantly cutting all tension there had been. "Already got a steady girlfriend and still the best smooth talker I know! I still have so much to learn from you oh sensei."
Yu quickly moved to reverse the grab and knocked Yosuke to the couch, standing over him victoriously. "You got Yukiko, so my lessons have paid off have they not?"
Yosuke was quickly on his feet and coming out swinging. "Yeah, granted that charm of yours is hard to master."
Yu caught his arm in midair, a mischievous smirk appearing on his face. "Keep at it Partner." Yu spun bringing up his leg which Yosuke ducked low and moved to sweep Yu's legs.
"There they go again." Naoto sighed.
Rise shook her head. "Hey take it outside!"
Yu was too distracted by Rise that he fell for Yosuke's leg sweep. He landed with a hard thud on the ground no doubt shaking the ceiling for Rise's neighbors below. Yu wouldn't lie that it was painful, but he was used to this and it wouldn't be a true brawl without a little pain. Yosuke's and his fights were known though the whole investigation and nobody but Kanji seemed to get it. Still, Yu knew he'd have to appease his girlfriend in this situation. Yu put his hands up that signaled he conceded to Yosuke. Something Yosuke smirked at and put his foot on his best friend's chest.
"Kind of whipped aren't ya partner? You got two girls controlling your life." Yosuke chided as he leaned down over his best friend.
Yu wasn't having any of his best friend's snarky quips. He quickly grabbed Yosuke leg and threw it up and off balance causing him to collapse next to him with a thud. Yu got to his feet first and calmly dusted himself off and looked down at his still reeling friend.
"Two women. Not girls." Yu corrected in his most matter of fact tone as he stood over his friend.
"Heh," Yosuke grinned from his position before Yu reached down and pulled his best friend to his feet.
"Are you guys done now?" Teddie whined.
"Yeah I think so." Yosuke looked to Yu who nodded in conformation. "This; that other world and dancing I still need to keep in shape if I'm going to keep up with ya partner."
"You've kept up so far." Yu concluded.
"Junes keeps me on my feet and helping old ladies carry out things can be quite the work out." Yosuke turned to look at Teddie. "Also not eating just candy for lunch must help."
"Hey I'm still an extremely sexy beast! All the ladies love Teddie!" Teddie struck a pose as if to prove his point, but he wasn't winning any points with either Yu or Yosuke.
Yu noticed for the first time that the girls had disappeared from the room. As Yu looked around, Yosuke quickly took the hint and seemed to pick also on the fact the girls had disappeared. "Where did Rise and Naoto go?" Yosuke voice his concern before Yu had the chance too.
Teddie rolled his eyes. "While you guys were deciding dominance. They went to get Naoto ready."
Yosuke groaned. "Teddie don't put it that way ever again."
"I see..." Yu looked around to figure out what direction they headed off in. It just so happened Rise returned to the living room in that singular moment.
She glanced at the boys before looking squarely at Yosuke. "Yosuke did you bring any nice clothes?"
"Nice? Define nice." Yosuke folded his arms across his chest.
"Something you'd wear to go out with Yukiko to a nice place." Rise clarified.
Yosuke shook his head. "Nope, I got things to blend into the Tokyo streets. Nothing that fancy."
Rise stepped up and grabbed Yosuke arm. "Well then…Yu I'm stealing one of your suits for Yosuke." Yu watched his girlfriend start to drag his best friend away.
"Wait what!?" Yosuke protested, but was quickly dragged away.
Yu just watched his friend get dragged away before he glanced to Teddie. The bear had left his costume and was now also staring in the direction Rise had dragged his best friend. It took a moment of consideration before Yu just decided to sit down on the couch. Clearly a plan was being put into play and he'd be told his part in this if he just relaxed. Teddie plopped down next to him and picked up the controller before handing the one Yosuke had been using to Yu.
They got through a game and half before Naoto appeared in the living room. Yu put down his controller as his partner appeared. She looked good. Well most of her clothes for this winter had been professional pant suit, she now wore something a bit more business casual. A white blouse and a longer skirt for the colder weather with a blazer. The whole thing really showed off her figure but didn't compromise Naotos innate feelings of sexuality by being overly sexualized. It was a perfect balance. Yu nodded his approval to his partner.
"Looking good Naoto." Yu remarked.
"You look positively beautiful Nao-chan." Teddie nodded in agreement.
Naoto looked away from them but nodded. "It was Rise's idea I dress to impress. I find the idea rather ill-advised." Naoto sat down on the couch with Yu before she cleared her throat. "We are going to a place called Torch, Rise already called ahead and got a table for her and Yosuke…" Naoto paused and looked at Yu. "Rise said you wouldn't have a problem if she took Yosuke out to dinner. She would have taken you, but Akechi already knows you're my partner."
Yu shrugged. "Rise has dinner with attractive men all the time. It's part of her being an idol, I trust Rise."
"You are way too nonchalant about it..." Yosuke commented as he stepped into the living room wearing one of Yu's tuxes and fumbling with the tie.
While Yu had about two inches over his best friend, the suit fit him well. A red tie over a clean white undershirt gave the tux just enough pop to make the whole outfit quite appealing. Yosuke's hair was slightly slicked back and styled just enough to make the man wearing the tuxedo fit the class of wearing one. He looked sharp and someone an Idol wouldn't be ashamed to bring out in public.
Naoto rolled her eyes and stepped up to Yosuke helping him with his tie. "Rise and Yosuke will be there to keep an eye on me during the dinner. Yu, you will be staked out outside waiting on any signal to come and get me in the SUV. I figured dinner could be interrupted if my partner suddenly called and we needed to go after an urgent lead, so it gives me a way out without raising suspicion." Naoto finished Yosuke's tie and looked him over. "You clean up well Yosuke."
"Thanks," Yosuke nodded as he buttoned up the jacket of the tuxedo. "Yu's got some pretty nice suits here, I suppose dating an idol means stepping up your clothing game." Yosuke smoothed out the tuxedo and stood up tall.
"What about me Nao-chan? What do you want me to do?" Teddie asked.
Naoto glanced at Teddie. "You're going to stay here and make sure the thieves don't need help, I'm going to be routing their calls to your phone if they do need help. Can you do that?" Her voice sounded as if she was talking to a child.
"Of course! I won't let you or the phantom thieves down." Teddie nodded.
Yu couldn't blame the decision to leave Teddie behind, but he kind of felt bad for his bear friend. The situation they were entering was a very adult one and Teddie's antics would stand out and could raise suspicions in Akechi. Leaving Teddie here was the right move, even if it didn't feel right. Still being able to sit back and play video games and just chilling in the condo would probably be a more enjoyable evening for him than sitting in a car waiting for things to happen or going to an upscale snooty restaurant.
"I'll order pizza for ya Ted! It's not known if the phantom thieves will need help or not so you can do whatever, but you have to drop it if the phone rings." Yosuke said as he pulled out his phone.
"Roar-ger" Teddie nodded excitedly.
Rise entered from the hall and Yu smiled as she stepped into the room. She was in definite Idol mode, her hair was up in its signature style and she wore a stunning red dress that complimented every curve she had. Combined with just the right amount of makeup and jewelry Rise looked stunning. Yu had seen her wear that particular dress only once and it was when they went out on a date to a high end restaurant to celebrate the success of her newest album. Yu was almost jealous he wouldn't be escorting her but he trusted Yosuke as he did his other friends.
"Are we ready to get this show on the road?" Rise asked spinning around a set of car keys on her fingers, Yu recognized them as the keys to the idol's pink convertible. A car she only really took out when she wasn't afraid to draw attention to herself.
"You look great Rise!" Naoto blinked looking clearly impressed.
"You're dazzling Rise-chan!" Teddie exclaimed.
"Well I'm stepping out as Risette and not as Rise so excellence is expected." Rise smirked.
"And that's what you bring home at the end of the day… You dog." Yosuke slyly whispered to his best friend and slightly elbowed him in the gut.
"I am a very lucky man." Yu couldn't help but comment. "I think we are ready to go, what time are you meeting Akechi, Naoto?"
Naoto checked her phone. "30 minutes so we should really head out."
"Let's get this show on the road!"
So this is the second chapter of the week. Not going to say I'll just post it every Friday and Monday. I want to surprise you all... So I might just post them random days back to back... Even I don't know the chaos that is my schedule! Anyway I hoped you enjoyed... The first chapter with an Akechi speaking part! Yay!