2.
I'm back already~
Because I got asked about it; the signs from the last chapter actually are quotation marks. These are commonly used in German books (yes I'm German haha) and I replaced the normal marks a long time ago because I thought they look prettier, but I actually changed them back now because I'm only writing English FFs these days anyway.
Enjoy!
"Are you okay?"
Akira scratched the back of his head when Akechi's head snapped up and he looked at him, startled. However, the surprise was quickly replaced, hidden behind a polite smile, causing him to frown.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why are you asking, Akira-kun?" – "Ah, no, it's just…" He stopped, thinking carefully about his answer. "… you've been really quiet." He mentally scolded himself for this lame excuse and quickly added, "And you look tired. "
The look Akechi gave him let him know the detective didn't buy his words, but he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he hummed quietly and took a small sip from his cup.
"How unusual. " – "What?" Akechi chuckled. "It's quite uncommon for you to start a conversation, and even less common to ask about my condition." Akira didn't answer; it was the truth after all. It was usually the brown haired boy who would start a conversation by asking him about his day, his friends, his opinion on the recent actions of the Phantom Thieves (although these questions have become less common, now that he thought about it) or simply talk about his own day, knowing Akira would listen and give him a small piece of his opinion. Normal, every-day talk between two associated high schoolers.
If only it would be that simple.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell", he said, not meeting Akechi's gaze, instead focusing on cleaning the dishes left by the last Leblanc regulars who had said goodbye when Akechi had arrived; they always did, knowing the two boys would spend most of the evening together. It's become that normal for him to come here, huh, Akira thought. It felt like it had been just yesterday when Akechi had first come to visit. It was October by now; a lot had happened since back then. Including the most recent event…
"I can't believe Okumura-san actually was killed." Akira frowned, but didn't react to Akechi's muttered words. They were soon followed by a question directed at him, "Akira-kun, can I ask you something?" He looked up, tilting his head.
"What is it?" Akechi smiled.
"As expected of you. You don't seem very affected by the news of Okumura-san's death."
"…"
"I really admire this part of you. Although, maybe I shouldn't think like this. It wouldn't be very good influence on my job if I stopped caring about these incidents after all."
"I think you're free to think what you want." Akechi slowly raised an eyebrow, but didn't respond. He rested his chin on his gloved hands, not taking his eyes off Akira. He really did look tired; more tired than Akira had ever seen him before.
If only I didn't have a hunch as to why he looks so tired...
"...I'll cut straight to the point. I'd like to ask your opinion on something concerning this case. Akira-kun, do you think the Phantom Thieves are responsible for Okumura-san's death?"
There was something sharp in Akechi's eyes, and Akira knew he couldn't slip up right now. Especially if the hunch he had harbored for months now would prove to be correct. He couldn't afford to mess this up.
So he answered truthfully.
"I don't know." Anymore.
Akechi sighed, as if he was expecting an answer like this. "How about you?" – "I'm not sure either." He didn't elaborate; Akira figured he wouldn't be allowed to say any more. He still waited for the other boy to keep going, but the detective just continued to stare into his cup, something close to listlessness in his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?"
He wasn't sure if there actually was annoyance flaring up on the other's face for a split second or if Akira was turning paranoid, but no matter which one it was, Akechi now tapped a finger against the counter desk with increasing speed, smile returned to his face.
"It's cute you're worried about me", Akira could feel his cheeks heat up against his will; this was the second time he got called 'cute' by another guy. "…but it's nothing unusual. It's just been more stressful than usual at work... everyone is suddenly trying really hard to capture the Phantom Thieves, as if they noticed the danger they pose only now after something actually happened." His eyes snapped back and locked with Akira's, who almost flinched out of instinct.
Ever since they had stolen Okumura's heart – and ever since his death a few days ago – the mood between the Phantom Thieves had been tense. Everyone was wondering if it really was their fault Haru's father had to die; if they had done something wrong, abused the powers granted to them by who-knows-who.
Akira wished he could be worried about that, too.
Instead, he worried his own suspicion of who the murderer and the one behind the mental shutdowns was would become reality.
No, it can't be. He thought as he stared at Akechi who was now complaining about his incompetent coworkers, not noticing Akira wasn't really listening.
Akechi, who had sworn he'd catch the one behind the mental shutdowns, who was searching more desperately than anyone else, who he spent many evenings with talking about random things, who smiled at him and complimented him on the coffee he made, Akechi…
… who heard Morgana talk.
"Uwah!" His dark musings were interrupted when Akechi suddenly almost knocked his cup away. He quickly found the cause of what had startled the detective; Morgana, who had shown up out of nowhere, jumped onto the counter, warily eyeing Akechi before turning to Akira, blinking.
He shook his head ever so slightly, causing the black not-cat to sigh.
"Uhm… this is your cat, correct?" His attention flipped from Morgana back to Akechi, who had calmed down and now curiously looked at him.
"Ah…yeah, he is. His name is Morgana." Why is he here? Although he never told him so, Akira guessed Morgana must have noticed the pancake incident too, because for some reason he never was around when Akechi spent the evenings together with Akira in Leblanc.
Said detective slowly reached out and tried to pat Morgana; however, the black cat hissed and backed away. Akechi pulled the hand back and instead scratched the back of his head with it. "I have to admit, I've never been popular with cats. He's really cute, though."
"You're popular with humans though. Ever since Okumura died your popularity shot up big time again, didn't it?" Fall for it. It wasn't a mental plead, it was an order.
"Ahh, well…" He hesitated, as if he felt uncomfortable talking about this topic. "I guess so. Although it doesn't feel right to sacrifice someone else's popularity for my own." Right. "It's been quite the hassle, really. I get recognized and talked to everywhere I go. "
"It doesn't seem to bother you much though." When he didn't get an answer, he continued, "Isn't this what you wanted? You wanted to expose the Phantom Thieves and bring them to justice, but shortly after you said that, their popularity drastically increased, while you became hated by the entire net as the one opposing those bringing justice. Still, you didn't give up, and now everyone believes they're murderers; you got publicity's trust back. Everyone trusts what you says, everyone thinks you are just and the Phantom Thieves in the wrong." Akira knew he was being incredibly out of character. He knew, and he knew Akechi would notice, and he also knew this would make it even easier to get what he wanted from the ace detective.
A short silence followed with Akechi just blankly looking at him. Then another smile and,
"If I wouldn't know you better, I'd think you're actually angry about this turn of events, Akira-kun."
Perfect.
He let his eyes widen slightly, lowering his gaze and shuffling his feet bit, like a child embarrassed over being caught lying by an adult. He raised a hand and twirled the strand of hair hanging into his face between his fingers.
"Then again, you are a loyal Phantom Thieves follower. I suppose seeing your idols fall like this isn't very nice either. I apologize; I should have realized that even if you're not directly involved, it may hit you hard as well." – "…" He looked to the side slightly, sharing a glance with Morgana, who nodded knowingly. "Although… say Akira-kun, do you remember how you told me you aren't sure if what the Phantom Thieves are doing is right anymore? Have you made up your mind by now?"
"Huh?" He returned his gaze to Akechi. Has he always been this close?
"I'd think this turn of events would shake your belief in them even further if you were already wavering." He put a hand to his chin and tipped his head forwards, thoughtful. "It's been a few months already, hm… time sure flies." He laughed cheerfully, folding his fingers on the counter. "So?"
"…" The detective was being awfully pushy, as if he didn't even try to hide how suspicious he was of Akira. Two can play this game, Akechi. "I already changed my mind shortly after we talked back then, actually. I've been wondering this before Akechi, but why are you so obsessed with solving these mental shut down cases? And why do you spend so much time here in Leblanc?" He could feel Morgana's unbelieving look and the unsaid 'are you a complete idiot?!' reached him loud and clearly, but this was a gamble he was sure he'd win. He could already predict the answers Akechi would give.
"And here I thought I already said it often enough. Are you consciously fishing for compliments?" He chuckled, but Akira just gave him a dead stare.
"And are you going to dodge the questions?"
"I am not. I already told you before."
"How about the real reason?" If they would have been alone, Akira would have laughed at the utter disbelief and bewilderment radiating from Morgana, increasing in power with every word he said. But in the current situation he had to be satisfied with mentally laughing at the annoyance showing on Akechi's face, most likely against his will.
He wasn't provoking the detective without a reason, of course.
It was simply a fact there was something off about him, and Akira knew what it was. As much as he tried to think of a different option, it just fit too well, and as much as he enjoyed Akechi's presence, for the sake of the Phantom Thieves- no, screw those; for the sake of his friends – the first real ones he ever had – he had to gather the necessary intel; had to put a hold on Akechi if he wanted to protect them.
He had picked up on some of Akechi's habits and puzzled them together as well as he could, until he got an idea on what could be his motives. Firstly, he was always trying to please others, and while it didn't show on first glance, he was trying it quite desperately.
Then, Akira believed him when Akechi said he enjoyed their talks, but he also didn't miss the dirty looks the other gave him at times; how he slightly loses his composure when the Akira talked about his friends or family in general, how he stiffened up at certain times…
Akira had always been a good watcher. He couldn't handle words well, but this was something he had always been good at.
So, he came to one conclusion; if he really was the culprit, he wasn't the master mind. It was more likely he acted under someone, and that someone was a person with a huge emotional influence over Akechi, but also likely someone he despised judging from the bitter expression on his face whenever he received a message from his "boss". Another victim. Probably.
He would try his best to save the detective if it ever came to that, but if he got in the way of his friends he wouldn't hesitate to…
To what? Could he really put an end to someone? Was he capable of such an act?
'Ruin is what awaits you ahead on the road you're walking on. It will result in your death.'
"Death…", he muttered.
"Excuse me?" Wait, did I just say this out loud? Surprised by himself, he stared at Akechi who was looking back, clearly confused. Then, he chuckled again, and for the first time in a while his composed attitude seriously pissed Akira off. "I'm sorry, but I really don't know what else to tell you. I-"
"I believe it was them." He lazily let his hands slip into his pockets. "I believe it was the Phantom Thieves who killed Okumura." Silence. Morgana let out a sound which sounded suspiciously close to a groan.
"…Why?" Akira shrugged.
"If someone doesn't shy away from completely altering one's ideals, then they also wouldn't shy away from murdering someone." Akechi opened his mouth; however, before he was able to say something Akira's phone buzzed. He muttered an apology and looked at the screen. It was a message from Sojiro.
'Close up the Café immediately. I don't care if that boyfriend of yours is there, I'll be heading over soon and I can't have any costumers staying'.
"Sorry Akechi, but you have to leave for today." In the end, he didn't get what he wanted to hear out of him, but there would be other times. Probably.
Akechi eyed him, wariness in his eyes. "I apologize for phrasing it this way, but you were acting a bit weird today, Akira-kun. Did I do something to anger you?"
He held back the guilt gnawing on him, pushing it away with full force, keeping an indifferent expression. "Nah."
"… if you say so. I'll be taking my leave for today, then." Shortly before he reached the exit he stopped, and Akira felt reminded of that one evening all those months ago; the one he had first probed Akechi and tried to get his real opinion on the Phantom Thieves out of him, as well as transmitting his own thoughts on the matter.
"Akira-kun… I suggest to not try and force personal information out of me." A sinking feeling spread inside of Akira at the coolness in Akechi's voice. "Do you remember how you told me your problems aren't anyone's business and you like to handle them on your own?" He glanced over his shoulder, and Akira never saw his eyes look as dark and clouded as they did now before; not even his bright smile could help out there. "The same applies to me." Then he was gone.
Well, this didn't go as planned.
"It looks like I really overestimated your interrogation skills. Or rather, your common sense. How much of an idiot can someone be?!" He almost rolled his eyes when Morgana's shrill voice kept increasing in volume next to him. "Were you actually trying to sell us out?! Was that your goal?! Because jeez, you did a really good job if that was your goddamn plan!" A tail wacked him across the cheek. "Are you even listening, Akira?! Geez, what's wrong with you! You're-"
"He already knows", he grumbled, rubbing his cheek. Those words caused Morgana to stop and stare at him with narrowed eyes.
"Explain."
"He already knows. I'm sure of it. You know just as well as me he heard you talk back at the TV studio. And there are other things which point towards it. What I don't understand are his motives."
"So you tried to get him to say it on accident?! Look, I know you kinda have the ability to make all kind of people spill the beans about their pasts, but if he really is the culprit then I think you're underestimating-"
"I'm not", Akira said cautiously. "That's why I did it." Morgana kept quiet for a morning again, thinking, before letting out a desperate sigh.
"I really don't get you sometimes, you know. I still don't know what you were trying to do, but I trust your judgment to be correct. Still, please be more careful; I don't want to…" He hesitated. "I… I don't want to lose the only place I belong… to someone like him. " Akira closed his eyes, feeling a strange, familiar feeling of loneliness spread through him; a feeling he had often felt in the past before moving to Tokyo and meeting Ryuji and the others. In a sudden moment of weakness, he patted Morgana's head. The black cat had its ears down and didn't protest.
"Me neither, Morgana. And we won't." I'll find out why you're doing what you're doing Akechi, and when I do I'll stop you. Then we can enjoy coffee together without having to be afraid of suddenly having a knife stuck between our rips at any moment.
"Hey… are you sure you're okay? You were really acting out of character; you seemed so upset. Don't try to tell me it was an act; I know you're a better actor than that. " Akira blinked.
"I sounded upset? " He tilted his head. "I guess I still don't want to suspect Akechi. I mean, I really do like him." He shrugged. "But if he is the culprit then we can't do anything against it." A content laugh echoed through the room.
"This is why I like you so much. You're always so bold with your words. Now, let's clean up a bit before the chief arrives! Akira? Hey, are you listening?"
He smiled slightly and complied.
He couldn't get upset with Morgana because he knew the cat had no idea of knowing his "boldness" had caused him more trouble than anything in the past.