Catch-22: The Cracks

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Akechi and Yu have a talk. Yu is starting to see the cracks.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Gambling makes boys selfish and cruel as well as men. -Thomas Hughes

"I never asked but what is your opinion on the Phantom Thieves? I believe that your outlook would be different since you do work for the police department." Yu said as he took a sip of his coffee.

"They have definitely made life interesting. Annoyedly so," Akechi said as he stirred sugar into his coffee.

"Oh?"

"False leads…phone calls…shouts that they are the Thieves. It has die down a little since the first incident."

"I can imagine. So, you think that it is a one-time thing?"

"No, I don't think so. I think that there will be another incident. They know that the first time was a success. I don't see them letting go. There will be another to keep their names in the papers."

"That is where I disagree with you," He said.

Akechi jerked a little and blinked at him if he was surprised.

"I believe that it is personal. From the papers and the news, the abuse has been going on for years. It was going to boil over sooner or later. As for the group…maybe, they knew someone that he abused. Maybe, someone in their group was being abused. Finally, they did something about it."

"Then they should have gone to the police."

"Do you believe that the police would have done something?"

Something crossed Akechi's face and then it was gone. The look was followed by silence.

"I would believe that the police would have handled this situation."

"That doesn't answer the question."

"You put me in a very hard spot."

"Not really. I put you in an honest one."

Akechi laughed.

"What a spot to put me in."

He hummed softly as he waited for an answer.

Akechi sighed softly.

"Based on the evidence, I believe the police would have ignored any accusations. The word of teenagers against the word of a highly-decorated coach. It would have been swept under the rug," Akechi said.

"Justice isn't blind. It just sees what it wants to see."

"Oh, yes. Justice sees the rich, the poor, and everything in between. It only values power. The power to use and abuse it."

He nodded his head slightly as his body tensed up. He caught the look in Akechi's eye. There is darkness there.

"Interesting thought for a detective."

"It is a thought that I want to change. Justice should remain blind and free for all…not a select few," Akechi said before he took a sip of his coffee.

"A noble thought," He added. Something felt off about his words…the sentence…Just everything.

"Easy to say…"

"But it's hard to do."

Akechi chuckled softly.

"But you are the first to believe that this isn't some prank. I found your thoughts insightful and something worth noting, my friend."

"The same."

A ringing noise came from Akechi's side. Akechi sighed softly.

"Duty calls." Akechi said as he got his phone out of his jacket pocket. Akechi frowned as he looked at his phone.

"I am making lasagna tonight. So, expect a container at your doorstep tomorrow," He said with a nod.

"Honestly…you don't have to keep feeding me."

"And allow you the pleasure of eating convenience store dinners? Never," He said with a grin.

Akechi laughed.

"I look forward to it then. But at least, allow me to pay for your coffee."

"Thank you," He said as Akechi got up from his chair and paid their coffee to the older gentleman at the counter. Akechi waved good-bye and he waved back. He watched as Akechi left then turned his attention back to his coffee.

"That kid got to lighten up a little. Of course, he seemed to perk up a little when you were around," The older gentleman at the counter said.

He turned to the gentleman to get a really good look at him. His hair was slick back into a ponytail. He wore an apron around his waist. He pushed a pair of glasses back to the bridge of his nose. His body was kind of leaned over like he has been working for a long time over a hot stove.

"Oh?" He said.

"Normally, he comes in and has a cup of coffee. He has a habit of looking into the cup like it had all of the answers. My coffee is good but not that good."

He chuckled softly.

"Your coffee is alright. I prefer tea myself," He said with a grin.

The old man barked out a laugh.

"You came to the wrong place. I don't serve tea here."

"I don't know…your sign outside said café. I was terribly disappointed that there was no tea on the menu."

"Well…sorry to disappoint you, kid. Just to say that there is a Starbucks around here somewhere and I am sure that it will have your tea."

"I doubt that you are," He said with a grin.

The older man shook his head and chuckled.

"Kids, these days think that they are so funny."

He grinned.

"Hey, Boss! How about a refill?" Another consumer said at one of the tables.

Boss grumbled as he moved toward the table with a pot of coffee.

He chuckled softly before going back to his coffee. He heard the door ring behind him. He turned his head toward the door to see a familiar pair. It was the boy from before and the talking cat. The pair didn't seem to see him as they walked past him.

"Honestly, we have work to do and you want to hang out with Ryuji," Morgana said.

"He needed help with something. You can wait one day," Ren said.

"He always wanted to do something. Next, it will be Lady Ann…"

"And I thought that you liked Ann…" Ren said as he walked up the stairs.

…

Hmmm…

….So, what kind of job does a talking cat have anyway?

End of the Cracks

A/N: Yes, I am very aware that Akechi show up earlier at our favorite spot than in the game. Akechi probably want to bring his friend without annoying eyes and ears around. Boss/Yu interactions are the best. There will be more of them. Thank you for the favorites and the reviews. You guys rock.