His light blue hair braided elegantly from one side of his neck, interweaving with other strands and stopping on the other side with his neck, completed with his hair brass ornaments keeping the braids in place. The well-known Eternal outfit, completed with the white cape, showed that he is one of the most powerful people in the skies. His expression looked calm at the moment, however, that doesn't fool Akechi. He has seen times when Quatre has lost it in his rage and destroyed everything in his path.

"Interesting interview. I only managed to caught the end of it though."

"Ha ha, I am honored that you took time to watch even a part of it Quatre-san."

"Cut the pleasantries. You know that I don't care about those things."

"Ah, Well then what brings you out here to Tokyo Quatre?"

"An assignment of course. There's no other reason I would bother coming here to this city."

Quatre is an outstanding fighter, but what he really excels in is assassinations. He's really quick on his feet and knows the best way to make usage of his huge twin blades. What made him special was the ridiculous amount of debuffs he knows or perhaps, that could be due to the blades' special power(?). Akechi is still curious on what Quatre's power was exactly and how much of it came from his weapons. Oh well, a thought for another time. Akechi did hear some interesting rumors about him recently though that he wanted to address.

"I heard something interesting that I was hoping to confirm with you. Did you recently joined another skyfarer crew named Grandcypher?"

"I rather not talk about this kind of stuff in the middle of the street. Treat me out first if you want to get any information out of me."

Akechi almost forgot that they were in public. He could get accosted at any minute by fangirls or by random people due to the bold statement he made at the end of the interview. Even with all of the nonideal possibilities that could happen because of his presence, Akechi couldn't help but smile genuinely for the first time today at Quatre. 'Quatre never changes. Although it might be called stingy to some people, he tries to save every single rupie for the children of his hometown. How admirable.'

"Ha ha. Sure, what do you want to eat?"

"Meat. Since you're paying, I want good yakiniku."

"Hmm, I know a spot then. Let's get going then Quatre."

They got a few strange looks along the way to their destination. Tokyo doesn't have a lot of skyfarers in their full gear. Akechi finds it unlikely that any of them recognize who Quatre is even though his crew is well-known. The Eternals don't really deal with situations around Japan and the crew members are usually scattered out in various islands.

"Manpuku…? I've heard about it before. They have the famous meat that melts in your mouth, Kobe beef." Quatre muttered as he paused to look at the restaurant. He glanced at Akechi and said "good work Akechi" before walking in the restaurant.

Akechi just laughed in response as he followed.

"You going to eat that?" Quatre looks intently at one of the Kobe beef being cooked on the grill.

"Ha ha, you can take that one Quatre."

Akechi didn't even blink and he barely saw the meat leaving the grill. Quatre's speed will always amaze Akechi, even if it's used for something other than fighting. He couldn't help but to grin at Quatre.

"What are you smiling about? It's gross, stop it." Quatre mumbled as he continue chewing on his delicious Kobe beef. "It really is good. Maybe one day, I can give it to the children…"

'His ears twitched! That's kind of cute. Thankfully he can't hear me or he would beat me black and blue.' Akechi tried to hide his smile as he concentrated on putting more meat on to the grill. It might not have been as successful as he thought. He could feel Quatre staring at him before shrugging and continue eating.

"So, about our previous conversation, did you really joined another crew?"

"Something like that. Their captain, Djeeta, has the revenant weapon, Four-Sky Blade, and I had to challenge her to a duel her. She won."

Akechi almost dropped the meat onto the table as he stared wide-eyed at Quatre.

"...do you think it's mostly because of the weapon?" Revenant weapons are legendary weapons from the great War, perhaps even earlier. They were described as weapons that could break the heavens and pierce the skies that they had to be sealed and hidden throughout the sky. To hear that someone managed to find one and even to break the seal impressed Akechi.

Quatre shook his head. "It's not quite that simple. I think Captain can beat me even without using that weapon. So I'm currently traveling alongside them to learn the secret to true strength."

Akechi stared at him, trying to absorb the information. 'Someone stronger than one of the Eternals? I believe this crew was just recently formed too. This captain doesn't sound like a Persona user. She seems to rely on her weapon and skill set.'

"That's...interesting. Have you learned anything yet?"

"She's naturally strong, but she's also a hard worker. She's always trying new ways to increase her strength. Unlike someone I know." Quatre's face scrunches in disgust as he thought about that specific person. Quatre complains about this person a few times already so Akechi knows who he was talking about and can understand his frustrations.

It's hard to defend others or even yourself when you're malnourished. Akechi knows the background of Quatre and his sister, Esser. The struggle to survive when there were no adults around to support you, when you have to resort to stealing just to live to see another day. Can't trust anyone, they will only betray you in the end. It was all very….familiar to him. However, it really confounded him that Quatre not only managed to support himself, but the other street children too. It would have been easier to just abandon them and ran away with his sister...perhaps, that's why he was willing to spend time with Quatre even though by doing that, it won't help him towards his goal.

'I wonder if I would have also done that if I was in his shoes… to reach out and help someone else in a situation that's similar to my own. Ha ha honestly, I doubt it. I wonder what is it about me that he found intriguing? He chose to help me on that day even though I wasn't anyone special to him. He said it was for one of his assignments, but I find myself doubting it.'

The person Quatre was complaining about, Six, who was another Eternal crew member, was naturally strong and talented but doesn't want to work to improve himself. It must be frustrating to see someone else having what Quatre desires, only to find that they detest it and avoid using that power.

While Quatre went off into a tangent about Six, Akechi shook himself out of his thoughts and tried to concentrate on the conversation.

"Then that dumb mask bastard had the audacity to say that he didn't mean to scare the kids! How about don't wear a mask in the first place?!" Quatre ranted as he stabbed a cooked vegetable on the grill.

"He seems very...ah, peculiar." Akechi replies weakly as he grab some meat. He would like to meet this guy at least once just to see how much of what Quatre says was true and what was exaggerated by his hatred for the guy.

"Peculiar doesn't even come close to what he is! He is an inconsiderate asshole -" ...and there he goes again now complaining about Six's "dumb ugly face mask". It was funny how the conversation somehow went from his new crew to Six. They haven't had many conversations, but, the conversations either lead towards his sister, Six, and more recently, his hometown and the children living there. Even though it was well-known that Quatre and Esser became part of the Eternals for the safety of their hometown, it still felt interesting to hear him openly talk about the issues that they have been having recently. What was more surprising was when Quatre ask for his opinion on certain issues. It was a nice feeling….to be useful for someone.

After Quatre took the last meat, he dropped a question that Akechi would never see coming.

"Hey some of the kids are curious about you. Do you have time to come visit Stardust Town?"

Akechi blink rapidly a few times, before saying "Oh. Uh, sure?

After they cleaned up and Akechi finished paying, they left the restaurant together.

"So Jacob said that he doesn't believe that I know any normal people outside Captain's crew. Well, to prove him wrong, I'm going to show you off. They might also recognize you on television too. I don't know. Nee-san was also curious about you too."

Akechi mentally sweatdrop at how childish Quatre was behaving. One of the children apparently told him that he likes hanging out with weirdos (well it seems that most crew members of the Eternals are a bit eccentric from what Akechi heard) and he got annoyed by that statement. Akechi thought he was originally invited because of his detective celebrity status. Well, he was curious on the Quatre's hometown when he mentioned about it before. It would be an experience to see his home.

"This is Akechi Goro. Everyone, come and say hello." Quatre saying softly as he entered the biggest house. It turns out to be the dining hall and there were long tables for the kids to sit together and talk to one another. It was amazing that there are so many children here. 'It truly was a town made up of children.' he thought. It seems that everyone just finished eating dinner and was helping each other with various chores.

Many of the children looked at him and the chattering slowly stopped as they took him in.

"Uh, good evening everyone. My name is Akechi Goro, it's nice to meet you."

Silence.

"Quatre has said a few things about but I'm hoping to learn more about everyone."

Only the sounds of crickets could be heard.

He looked at Quatre in confusion. Did he do something wrong? Why haven't anyone said anything yet?

"Hey, it's not nice to keep silent when someone's talking to you. Show your manners!" Quatre barked out but his voice seems to hold a bit of amusement.

"Hello" they finally said as a few kids ran up to him and stared closer at Akechi.

"Are you really Akechi?" "Did you really solve cases by yourself?" "How old ARE you?"

Multiple questions were being thrown left and right, making Akechi feel overwhelmed.

"How will you beat Ca Ong?" one child chirped curiously.

'Crap, those words are already coming back to bite me.' Akechi hid his grimace well.

"Hey hey, one at a time." Thank goodness for Quatre even though he was smirking now.

"Ha ha, yes, I am Akechi Goro, everything I've said on television is true, and I'm currently 17 years old. About Ca Ong, I will try my best to fight it. It might take longer than I would want, but I promised everyone who watched it didn't I?" He gave a smile at the last sentence.

The children watched in awe. "Wow, you're so much cooler in person!" They started talking over each other again. He had a hard time listening to everyone, but he continued smiling.

"So what do you think Jacob? I do know someone normal." Quatre gave a proud smile as he said this.

"...well, I'm going to be his friend too!" Jacob declared as he took Akechi's hand. Akechi's eyes widen a little, it's not very often people would touch him. Even though he was wearing gloves, Akechi felt the warmth of the child's hands that grabbed his. It was a pleasant feeling.

"Me too!" more kids started grabbing onto his coat, or pants, one of the luckier kids managed to grab his right hand before someone else could take it.

"We need to show him the town!" "Ooh! Let's take him to the training room! We need to prepare him for Ca Ong!" They started dragging him. It was kind of funny since everyone was trying to latch onto him while walking, but they somehow made it work.

Their excitement was contagious. Akechi couldn't help but to grin at their behavior.

"Hey! You guys still need to finish your chores!" Quatre yelled.

They tried running out of the room, but since everyone was all huddled, it was quite difficult. Then one of the kids managed to trip and take the whole group with him. Akechi couldn't help but to laugh even though he was trapped under a few kids.

It was fun seeing everything in Stardust Town. The kids were so excited to show him everything that they forgot they were suppose to "train" him for the showdown between man and the infamous Shadow. He also got to meet with Esser for a little bit before the kids drag him off to a new location. She seems like a quiet type, but seems patient and kind with the kids. He hopes to be able to talk to her longer the next time they meet.

The kids groaned when Quatre announced that their guest had to leave before it gets too dark. He glanced at his watch, it wasn't too bad yet, but the sun is starting to set.

"Ha ha, I enjoyed meeting with everyone and I hope to see you guys again."

The kids were saying goodbye and one kid managed to yell out, "Good luck with Ca Ong!" Now the kids were also wishing him luck. It made him blush, hearing people root for him and seem genuine.

"Thank you!"

Quatre walked with him through town, leading him to the entrance of the town and the path to get back to Tokyo. Then he dropped something huge onto Akechi.

"I know that you're a Persona wielder."

Akechi eyebrows shot up as he tried to remain calm. "Whatever do you mean Quatre?"

"Nee-san and I saw your gun today, only Persona wielders would bother learning two completely different types of weapons, a close range and a far one. I don't care about the rumours regarding Personas and their wielders, but I shall warn you to not get cocky with this."

He stopped moving and turned fully to face the now silent Akechi.

"You may have a lot of experience with fighting, but Ca Ong has been known to exist for at least a century. It will not be like one of the other Shadows that you have fought before. If you really are planning on challenging it, I advise you to then set traps, do what you must to take it down before it notices you, otherwise you're dead meat."

"I will take that into consideration. Thank you Quatre ." Akechi tilts his head into a small bow.

Quatre just looked at him, like he was waiting for something that Akechi had to ask. "Is there anything else Quatre?"

"I don't mind helping you know."

"Hm?"

"That bounty is pretty hefty amount. I don't mind helping if you don't mind splitting the bounty."

"Oh." It would be nice to know that someone as powerful as Quatre would be helping him take down Ca Ong. They did work together a few times already so Akechi is somewhat familiar on how to maneuver his attacks around Quatres. However, if the news got caught of this, then they would just make it seems like Quatre did all the work while Akechi was in the area being the support unit. He needed to prove to them, to everyone, that Akechi Goro was got to where he was because of his skills. He didn't need anybody's handouts. He got to where he was because he refused to give up even though his situation was unfavorable from the beginning.

"No, but thank you for offering. I'll try my best to figure out the best kind of tactic to fight it." He responded, but he smiled at Quatre as he said this.

"Hmmph. I expected that reponse. I'm not sure who you're trying to prove to, but…" Quatre hesitated before continuing "...whatever, don't die. See you later detective. The children can't wait for your next visit." Quatre said as he turned away from the detective, gave a lazy wave as he walked back into his hometown, leaving Akechi to his thoughts.

Author's Notes: The story is done with it's first arc on AO3 if you're interested. I'm slowly putting the story over here atm.