Chapter 36: No Greater Tyranny Than...

[G]

"You'll be going after the Phantom Thieves, but be skeptical of their existence for now. We need to make sure the public aren't swayed to their side and not reveal the Metaverse."

Akechi sighed as he mentally reviewed what he was supposed to do while waiting for the cameras to roll. Expected though it was, he still wished he had better spent his time yesterday on something other than getting debriefed on something that was very obvious to do now that he was "assigned" to the Phantom Thieves case. Akira sharing the pictures she took of Featherman Land certainly didn't help with his annoyance. He knew that if he had been free, he would've actually been there and, at the very least, in entertaining company.

Oh well... He glanced at the live audience before him, putting up a pleasant smile that was easier to maintain than usual. ...at least he would finally chase after them, providing him a variety of opportunities...including some entertainment during a tedious interview. He suspected Akira would take some offense to his "stance" on the Phantom Thieves when she was one herself, especially when it was clear she was excited to see him be interviewed. He could see her shifting in her seat behind her brother and friends, talking to them.

She ended up glancing his way and, in typical Akira fashion, waved at him in her excitement. Unsurprisingly, the other girls, and some boys, from her school noticed and followed Akira's gaze to realize she had just greeted the Detective Prince himself. So in their jealously, they stared daggers at her. Akechi restrained his snicker as Akira, still unaware of his celebrity status, was confused at the sudden hostility directed towards her. But despite the intensity, she was not cowed. Instead, she matched it with a burning gaze and some words he couldn't hear but only knew were spoken thanks to the shifting of her mask.

Whatever it was, it made the more timid of his fans back off but the more obssessed determined as they retaliated. It was then, to his surprise, Akira's brother also fired a stern look, its frigidness matching Akira's burning gaze. That outright silenced the rest of his fans, though Akechi could tell it was begrudgingly for some. Akira settled down and likely said thanks to her older brother, whose cold expression melted to a smile that was so clearly affectionate even from his distance as Amamiya-kun replied to her.

It seemed the quiet, generally nondescript and seemingly pushover older brother shared a backbone like his sister. Not only that, the intensity of his rebukes equaled Akira. Perhaps they were more alike and much closer than he had initially concluded. If that was the case...

The interview would be more entertaining, and perhaps more enlightening, than he had thought it would.

The staff counted down for everyone to prepare and with that, they were on air and the show began.

It was a simple affair as they introduced him and he pretended to be embarrassed, even though he enjoyed the attention...as well as Akira and her friends' continued confusion at his treatment from their classmates. He then informed them of his interest in the Madarame case, which led them to segue into the actual topic this interview was for:

"What do you think of these justice-oriented Phantom Thieves?"

Hmph. They're weaklings who have a childish view of justice... Changing people's hearts won't change anything.

I wish we could've been like them and know how to change hearts. We could've saved people's lives.

"If they are heroes of justice, I sincerely hope they exist," he said with his best practiced smile.

"Oh, so you don't deny the possibilty that they're real?"

"I may not seem like it, but I sometimes wish that Santa Claus actually existed."

But he doesn't. So it doesn't matter whether you believed.

"Although if he did, I'd have to arrest him for breaking and entering," he said, ignoring how much he wanted to cringe.

It took quite a bit to maintain as the two hosts laughed for the show, though it helped that he noted that Akira shared his opinion, definitely unamused as she rolled her eyes at "his" joke.

"But, hypothetically speaking, if these Phantom Thieves are real..."

And now the moment of truth.

He put up a stern front even as he nearly stumbled in saying, "...I believe they should tried in a court of law."

"What?!"

Akechi fought a smile as Akira and her friends grew bewildered and the male host said,

"That's quite the statement. Are they comitting crimes? Some people even say that the Thieves are helping their victims abandon their evil ways. "

Pfft. In the eyes of the 'law' they're 'evil'...which is no better than us.

"What the artist Madarame did was a truly an unforgiveable crime," he said. "However, they are taking the law into their own hands by judging him. It is far from justice. More importantly, you should never forcefully change someone's heart."

It was easy enough to say when he agreed with some of it, not that most of those here needed to know.

"You have a point. These people are calling themselves the Phantom Thieves after all."

It was then Akechi noted that Amamiya-kun's expression was particularly blank now, making it hard to tell what he thought about all of this, compared to his sister whose simmering gaze grew more heated. He wished he could don the same mask as hers as he nearly cringed from the host "praising" his "radiant charisma", but doing so would shatter the image he built as Detective Prince. What wouldn't break it was him admitting that he "hoped" the Thieves were real, lest he face embarrassment and make a simple report, letting those who were skeptical of their existence believe he had realistic expectations tempering his curiosity.

With that out of the way, the host finally said,

"Now then, let's try asking some students the same age as Akechi-kun about the Phantom Thieves! First, please press your button now if you think the Phantom Thieves exist!"

The display behind him showed eighteen out of the fifty or so students attending pressed their button, which he wasn't surprised of, though he acted otherwise. Not only were the students from Shujin Academy, but Akira, her brother and her friends were in attendence. They would most certainly press their buttons. Even without considering how impulsive the bespectacled girl was, she had shown interest in the Thieves before, so he knew it was likely that she knew that he would get "suspicious" of her if she suddenly said she didn't believe in them just to "hide" her secret identity from him. And just as he thought, she did.

Now it was his chance.

"I'd love to hear more detailed opinions on the Phantom Thieves' actions."

With that, the female host stood up and scanned the crowd to choose. Most of the students were hoping to be picked, but Akira and her friends were displeased one way or another. The only one in the host's immediate vicinity who wasn't either was Amamiya-kun. He deduced that she would pick him because of his unassuming and reserved demeanor, much like what he had assumed of him, and he was correct, the woman saying,

"Let's ask this student here." Then she brought her microphone out to Amamiya-kun. "Hypotherically speaking, what are your thoughts on the Phantom Thieves, if they were real?"

"They do more than the police," he said, his answer immediate as he met Akechi's gaze.

Until Akira leaned forward and said, "My thoughts exactly!"

Takamaki-san was shocked and likely scolded her from her expression, the host was surprised at the rude intrusion and his other fans' ire rose once again at the seeming disrespect. But Akechi couldn't help but laugh.

Of course Akira would take the chance to make her opinion known, even if it wasn't in her best interests.

It wasn't until he noticed the host staring at him did he remember he was still on stage.

Akechi pulled up his pleasant smile as the man said, to divert attention away from Akira's minor scandal,

"That goes completely against the opinion you had of them being tried by law, Akechi-kun."

"Indeed. It's rather intriguing to hear such a strong acknowledgement," he said, slipping a bit but only so that he could lead into: "If that's the case, there's one more question I'd like to ask..."

Akechi restrained a smirk as he said,

"If someone close to you, let's say...your friend behind you. If her heart suddenly changed...wouldn't you assume it was the work of the Phantom Thieves?"

But instead of answering, Amamiya-kun side stepped it entirely and said, "What would you think?"

"Ah...Throwing the question back at me? Well, this is my opinion on the topic." Akechi allowed himself a brief chuckle and smirk. "Whether the Thieves' actions are good or not, I believe there is a more important issue at hand."

"Hmm?" the male host said as the woman returned.

Then Akechi appeared to be troubled as he said, "The matter of how they change people's hearts. If they honestly have that ability...it could be used for more than just extracting confessions. It could be that what seem to be ordinary crimes are actually being perpetrated by these methods..."

There it was. And as he expected, Sakamoto-san was quite incensed by it, and Amamiya-kun continued to show no outward sign of his feelings on the matter. Takamaki-san, on the other hand, was somber. If he had to guess, it was because she had started to second guess their own methods, which amused him somewhat. But that amusement was undercut by the fact that, while he could see Akira's increased rage from her trembling form...

...her expression looked thoughtful.

For a brief moment, he feared if she figured out his motives but dismissed the baseless notion as the host said,

"You know, you're absolutely right."

Of course he is. We're the ones doing it after all.

And he quickly clarified he was speaking "hypothetically". From there, he announced how he was already assisting the police in catching the Phantom Thieves, and then answered a few questions relating to that before the interview was finally over. But while everyone else made to leave, most notably a fuming Sakamoto-san, a still blank faced Amamiya-kun and a somber Takamaki-san, Akira stood and waited by the audience seats.

{R}

Understandbly, everyone was rather upset with Akechi's interview.

"I thought he was your friend!" Ryuji said.

"I thought so too! I knew I should've trusted my instincts!" Mona said, Ren deciding to let his outburst slide this time.

They had stood up along with the crowd to follow them through the sidelines until Ryuji spoke. He didn't blame him for that though. Akechi's words during the interview were exactly what he had been concerned would become reality when he first learned of his job. But well...

"He is. I just didn't know that was his opinion," Aki said, then she glared at the non-feline. "And don't you go takin' back stuff you said yesterday just 'cause of that interview, Mona."

"Then why'd he say that stuff?! I don't like how he made us sound like the bad guys..." Ryuji said, thankfully not actually shouting.

"And what about that stuff about the police? Do you think it was for real?" Ann said, worried.

"Well, that's why I'm gonna talk to him," Aki said.

...he trusted his sister and knew she would want to talk to Akechi after this, so he wasn't worried. He would let her handle Akechi.

Mona huffed. "Well, he can say whatever he wants. The justice of it all will be decided ourselves."

Though perhaps he would calm his team down.

Before Ren could even try though, Ryuji said, "Ugh... I gotta take a leak. I'll be right back."

And he broke the tension as he ran off.

"Oh my god..." Ann said, exasperated at the faux-blond, but Ren would take that over her earlier mood. "I'm gonna go ahead, okay?"

Ren nodded at her before eyeing Aki, who was signaling to Akechi to come near them. The detective noticed and as he made his way to them with his more pleasant, but less genuine, smile, Ren prepared to leave.

But Akechi said, "I was hoping you two wouldn't leave yet."

Ren gave the boy an inquisitive look. He wondered why Akechi wanted to talk with him until he spoke once again.

"So? What did you two think of the interview?"

"Is that really what you think?" Aki said, voice grave.

For a moment, Akechi was taken aback. "Pardon?"

"You're askin' what I was thinkin'. That's what I'm thinkin'. Is that really what you think?"

Now Aki was glaring. Again, it was brief, but the brunett looked unsure before he continued.

"Am I to assume you didn't like it then?" he said, still pleasantly polite.

"Damn it, Akechi, answer the question!"

"Akira, not so loud."

"Not gonna answer? Okay, fine! I'll answer yours. I wanna know if that's what you're really think about the Thieves Akechi, 'cause if it ain't...if it ain't...uh..."

Ren had to resist his giggle at Aki's momentum stalling for a bit.

"...I'll think of somethin'! Whatever I'm gonna do, I'm gonna be mad at ya if you're huntin' down the Thieves 'cause your police buds say so and not 'cause you think it's the right thing to do."

Ren stared.

Akechi stared.

And then Mona said, "What?!"

And Ren scrambled to cover it up as Akechi was shaken from his stupor.

"Excuse me, I think Mama might be calling," he said, before walking away a bit, his back to them as he pretended to take a call.

That was easy enough to do, as long as he whispered.

"Mona...you shouldn't have shouted."

"But what Akira said..."

"Don't you trust her?"

"Nngh..."

"Then let her be."

Luckily for him, he could still hear their conversation as Akechi said,

"I can assure you, Akira, that I'm doing this because I want to."

There was a pause as Aki took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry about shoutin' then."

"O-Oh, it's fine," Akechi said, surprised. "You disagree with me, after all. It's understandable to be upset."

Ren couldn't help but smile in amusement at the stutter.

Aki laughed. "Nah, it's fine. Actually, if that's what you really think, then I actually like the interview."

On instinct, Ren covered Mona's mouth, which was good as he felt it open, proving his hunch right.

"Oh? Even though you don't like my opinion?"

"Well even though I don't like it, it's your opinion, ain't it? And you're my friend. As long as it's yours, then I don't mind. Besides, you got your reasons for it and you ain't wrong about 'em. It'll keep the more stupid fans in check at least."

Then Akechi laughed, much softer and more free than most of his laughs during his interview, save the one he did after Aki's outburst during the interview.

"Well, to paraphrase Hegel, advancement cannot occur without both thesis and antithesis, so I'm grateful that you stated yours honestly. And your brother as well," he said, cheerful but then grew somber as he continued. "Few people are so willing to speak their minds as freely as you two did earlier."

Aki scoffed. "Course they don't. Bein' a celebrity definitely doesn't help with that." Then she laughed and said with a teasing tone, "Good thing I don't see ya as celebrity then, or else I'd just agree with ya just to get on your good side."

Once again, the brunett laughed as he said, "I guess it is."

"Though, you really workin' with the police? Is that really allowed for you? I mean, they probably just think you're just a kid."

"Yes, thankfully it is. At the very least, I'll be a consultant if I'm not actually part of the invesitgation."

"Heh. You really are a detective, huh?"

Akechi raised a brow mock offense, his smile belying him. "You doubted I was?"

Akira laughed. "Maaaaybe..."

Ren decided it was a good time to put away his phone and get back in the conversation. But by then, Ryuji had come back from the bathroom.

"Hey guys, thanks for wai—Akechi?!"

"Oh hey Ryuji!" Aki said, her smile anything but happy. "Let's get goin'!"

"Wha—wait! Ack!"

"See ya Akechi!" she said, her smile bright again.

She gave the bag with the bento from last night to the brunett, before dragging a complaining Ryuji off.

And Akechi stared, stunned at the abrupt departure.

Ren couldn't help but laugh.

The young detective glared, snapped and said, "What's so funny?"

Ren snorted. "Sorry..." he said as he forcefully settled his mirth. "Don't worry, she's not secretly upset or anything. She's just making sure Ryuji doesn't blow up in your face. I'm sure just Aki's enough blowing up for one day."

Akechi wasn't amused. "That much was obvious. Sakamoto-san has as much of a temper as Akira does. But unlike her, he is still upset with me."

Ren smirked. "Just making sure. I wouldn't want you two to fight just after making up."

The detective turned thoughtful with that, then said,

"Well...I don't blame him, or any of you truly, for supporting the Thieves."

"Hmm?" Ren tilted his head and gave him a curious look.

"Adults are only interested in using the young, while they simply do as the adults say. And there are too many irressponsible people in these modern times. So I can understand why you, Akira and your friends support them."

Ren nodded. "I sense a 'but' though."

Akechi briefly smiled before he turned...almost sad actually.

"But while it's possible that this group is as you believe they are and they are acting with good intentions...that, thanks to their special talents, their hearts they may be burning with a sense of justice and duty..."

Then Akechi gave him a firm look as he said,

"That justice could merely be a façade to hide their lack of true strength."

Strength...

"That's why I believe, if a truly powerful opponent were to corner them, they would flee without a second thought."

That was a fair assumption. Would they truly not crumble should a powerful foe, or maybe even the world, face against them? None of them have experienced something like that, even if all of them were outcasts, one way or another. So, on some level, they wouldn't really know if they were up to the task.

But still.

"They'd fight 'til the end."

"Oh?"

"Because they are Phantom Thieves, and if they plan to live up to Arsène Lupin, then they wouldn't give up."

For some reason, Akechi chuckled at that and mumbled,

"You two truly are siblings..."

Ren frowned.

His expression looked so...wistful and, dare he say...lonely.

That disappeared as soon as he remembered Ren was there, replacing it with a pleasant, and now very plastered, smile.

"Oh, it's nothing," he said, as if it truly was. "Just that you and your sister truly are intriguing. I wouldn't mind getting to know you as well."

And yet, he didn't ask...

"Want my number and chat ID then?"

"Oh, I don't wish to presume..."

Ren rolled his eyes. "I'm not mad at you either, if that's what you're worried about. Here," he said as he took out his phone.

"Ren..." Mona said, warning.

Ren's lips quirked up slightly as he ignored the not-cat and said,

"Well?"

"Very well, since you insist..."

With that, numbers were exchanged and the familiar female voice said,

I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall be the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Justice Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.

Ren chuckled. Once again, his and Aki's Confidant with the same person matched Arcana.

When they returned their phones, Ren smirked and said,

"Oh, and if Aki's ever bothering you, you can ask me to help."

Akechi attempted to cover it but he saw him smirk as he said,

"I'll be sure to remember that. She is a bit of a handful."

Ren laughed. "Yeah, sure, if you say so."

"Oh, there you are, Amamiya-kun. I've been looking for you," Ms. Kawakami said as she made her way to him.

"Good-bye, Akechi," Ren said and left with his teacher.

"What was that all about?" she said when they were a good distance away from the detective.

"He just had some questions because of the interview."

Though with Ms. Kawakami here, it reminded him to call her that evening, as well as...

"Thank you, by the way."

"Huh? For getting you?"

He shook his head. "No, for helping us yesterday. With that man hitting on Ann."

For the nth time, his teacher was surprised at his words, but this time she looked away with a frown. "No problem. It hardly makes up for anything anyway."

Ren frowned again and was about to tell her to give herself more credit when he was interrupted once again.

"Hey Big Bro. What took you so long?" Aki said.

"Was that Akechi botherin' you?" said Ryuji.

"No, not at all. If anything, I could ask the same to you."

He looked rather sullen, especially considering his earlier indignation.

The faux-blond huffed. "I still don't like his attitude, but Akira made her point..."

Ah. That made sense. She was looking rather smug right then.

"Come on, let's go. I wanna go home," Ann said before any of them could delve into further conversation.

[G]

Akechi looked around, hoping to spot Akira or even Amamiya-kun among the passengers waiting for the train, but so far he hadn't any such luck.

He had hoped to return the bento Akira had given him yesterday. With everything that happened during and after the interview, Akechi hadn't expected her to give it to him, nor the fact that she made him dinner in the first place. Of course, Akira told him when he had messaged her about it that he could return the bento later, if not outright keep it. But he thought it would be best to show he was still amiable with giving it back to her as soon as possible because of yesterday. So he decided to make her denial an opportunity to add a surprise factor to returning it.

But of course the world was against him.

It always has been.

Akechi scoffed. It was then he spotted Shujin students nearby. He went close to see if Akira or her brother was among them, but instead all he got was gossip about yesterday.

"I can't believe we got to be on TV yesterday! And with Akechi-kun! It was so amazing..."

"Hmph. You know what I can't believe? That transfer student yesterday."

"Oh yeah. I can't believe her... Did you see how she acted? Who does she think she is? Acting like she knows him..."

No, she doesn't. But she certainly knows more about me than you.

Akechi set his jaw and turned away, ignoring their talk. Unfortunately, as soon as he did, he bumped into someone.

"Oh! My apologies, I didn't see you...there...?"

"Oh! Akechi-kun! It's okay! I'm fine."

It was Takamaki-san, smiling warmly at him.

Akechi cleared his throat and smiled pleasantly.

"Still, again, my apologies."

For a moment, Akechi had worried when Takamaki-san's smile was replaced with a frown and she said,

"Is something wrong?"

He kept up his smile even when a part of him snapped.

"No. Nothing's wrong."

She didn't look convinced even as she said, "Okay..."

Annoyed at her concern over nothing, and seeing the chance, Akechi said as he lifted his package,

"Though since you're here, do you mind bringing this with you?"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Just a bento. Akira gave it to me yesterday and I had been hoping to give it to her on the way to school."

"Wait, a bento? Did Akira cook one for you?"

He chuckled in good nature. "Yes, she did. She said it was because I had missed lunch."

At least, that had been the reason she gave last night when they were chatting.

"Oh. I had thought..."

"Thought what?" he said, his curiosity getting the better of him.

He wished it hadn't as Takamaki-san said,

"I just thought you were upset or something because of all the gossip around. I know what it's like to have people talk behind my back. I try not to let it bother me, but sometimes it gets too much..."

Akechi's widened his smile to hide his displeasure.

Of course people would talk about Takamaki-san. But what would she know about gossip? She was what many would consider beautiful. A lot of people would sacrifice much to have what she had naturally. They probably were just jealous of her. That was nothing compared to what he's been through. He didn't need her pity.

"Oh don't worry. It doesn't bother me."

It's nice to hear people talk about us. They wouldn't otherwise.

"Really? Wow. You really are strong," Takamaki-san said, awed. Then she chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I guess I really need to get stronger. Even after all this time..."

That...comment had been unexpected, but he appreciated the compliment.

But at the rate they were going, he might miss his chance, so he reminded her.

"Why thank you. So, will you take this back to Akira? I would like to return it sooner."

"Oh sure."

And with that she took the bag with the bento in it, just in time for their trains to arrive.

"See you, Akechi-kun!" Takamaki-san said with a wave.

He smiled pleasantly back and said, "Good-bye, Takamaki-san."

A shame he couldn't give it to Akira himself, but handing it to her friend was close enough.

(A)

Well, okay, now Akira would have to apologize to Ryuji later for scolding him yesterday.

"I hear he was an orphan."

"You know I'm starting to wonder why'd those Thieves go after Kamoshida. Like, isn't he small time?"

"Did you know his father's the head of some big financial conglomerate?"

"Those Thieves are definitely not real. I mean even Akechi has doubts."

"He hates the media. That's why he doesn't use his social media a lot."

"I hope these Thieves are real! It'd be cool for Akechi to catch them!"

"He's so cool! He's a high schooler moonlighting as a detective!"

"I think he's right. The Phantom Thieves are a threat. I mean, what if they start going for us next?"

"He's like...the second Detective Prince. So smart..."

The school was absolutely full of gossip, all involving Akechi one way or another. Not only that, they had been talking about him in the streets, like last night when she helped with Yoshida, or when Ms. Kawakami mentioned such talk when she came back to Leblanc after helping her mentor.

And she didn't like it one bit.

And it wasn't just because now more people were against the Phantom Thieves. That was always going to happen one way or another while they were trying to build up a following. And it wasn't just because it was for unfair reasons. No, it was mainly because, even if a lot of it was more positive than the rumors about her, her brother and their friends, the other rumors were about Akechi's private life, when he hadn't shared too much of with her yet.

That ticked her off more than anything.

He clearly was a private person, if not slow to open up, and yet he was stuck in a position where that wasn't easy to keep up. And not only that, lots of people were probably just siding with him only because of his celebrity status instead of actually agreeing with him because they thought the same. So this felt like the biggest slap in the face to her, almost as bad of being reminded of...their false charges.

"Amamiya-san...? Are you all right?"

Akira blinked to see Yoshizawa looking at her with concern.

She smiled. "I'm fine. Well, mostly fine. Just stupid things I should be ignoring, but having a hard time right now."

Understanding crossed her features. "Oh. That. Yeah, the glares at you seemed to have increased for some reason..."

"Huh?"

Akira looked around to see that, yes, a lot more girls, and a few boys, were glaring at her now.

"Huh. Didn't notice. They're probably mad at what I did yesterday."

"Yesterday...?"

Akira chuckled in amusement. "You didn't watch the Akechi interview?"

"Akechi interview...? Well, Father didn't mention anything happening yesterday so I didn't bother..." Her dad? Akira pinned that for later. "...but I heard the ones who went to the TV station yesterday talk about it. They mentioned about someone interrup...ting..." Her eyes widened in realization. "Wait, it was you that was rude during the interview?!"

Akira smirked behind her mask. "Guilty as charged. It wasn't big though. Just talked into the mic when they were actually talkin' to my big brother."

"Oh wow...I can't believe it... That's...quite bold of you."

Akira smiled and shrugged. "It's fine. It was minor anyway." She chuckled. "Besides, I know Akechi doesn't mind."

Yoshizawa frowned in confusion. "Akechi...? Akira-san, do you...?"

Akira flinched. Whoops. She let it slip. But, well, thinking on it, after yesterday, it didn't matter much. But people from Shujin might try to get to Akechi through her, as small of a chance that was, so it would be best for them to just think she was just a disrespectful fan, or even a disrespectful hater. So she leaned forward to whisper.

"Yeah, I'm friends with him. As long as you keep quiet 'bout it, I don't mind talkin' to you 'bout him."

She was stunned. "Wait? Really?"

Akira nodded.

Before they could go further on that topic, there was knocking, followed by Ann of all people calling for her to give her something.

"What is that?" Yoshizawa said after Akira retrieved Ann's delivery and returned to her seat.

Not wanting to take a chance, Akira took out her phone to text her.

Akira: The bento I gave to Akechi yesterday. He returned it through Ann.

Yoshizawa stared at her phone then at her.

Yoshizawa: I can't believe this. I can only imagine how crazy would fans go if they knew you did that.

Akira huffed in amusement.

Akira: Yeah I know. Which is why I hope you keep quiet. Last thing I want is to bother Akechi cause of me.

Yoshizawa: You really are friends with Akechi, huh?

Akira smiled.

Akira: Yeah, and I'm glad I did before I found out about his celebrity status.

Though, understandably, when lunch came around and all the Thieves bar Ann gathered together, Ryuji wasn't happy about it.

Bang!

"Ugh! This pisses me off! This is exactly what I was talkin' 'bout yesterday! Akechi made us look like a goddamn threat when we're just helpin' people! Well, if he thinks we're so bad, I'd like to see him try!"

Akira glowered, though it held no heat. "You know he did actually."

"Huh? Did what?"

"When I told him about Kamoshida, he wanted to help. But we were already done with his Palace when I did."

And as she thought, Ryuji was quite mixed on that, his shifting expression showing that clearly, before he said,

"Well, even if he did, what good would the police do? If they could've helped 'em, we wouldn't be doin' stuff as the Phantom Thieves in the first place!"

"Ryuji!" they all said.

Meanwhile Ann arrived and slapped him for all of them.

"Ow!"

"You're being too loud."

"Who cares? Everyone's talkin' 'bout this stuff anyways. It'd be more suspicious if I was quiet."

"That's just tempting fate!" Akira said.

Ryuji sighed...before he asked Ann to share the snacks she was eating, but by then it was too late. She ate it all. Mona sighed.

"You two are too laid back. You should really learn from these two, the police are getting involved you know."

"Oh yeah, did you find out if it's true, Akira?"

She grimaced. "Yeah, pretty much. And they're probably serious about it too since they're sparing nothing for it for once."

"Damn..."

"Is it okay to keep going then...? Are we really going to be okay?"

"We can't let the cops scare us outta bein' phantom thieves."

"But...what about that guy Madarame mentioned? Isn't there a lot we don't know?"

All of sudden Akira's eyes were flashed with white.

"Gah! What the hell?!"

It took a bit before her eyes settled to let her see that the camera flash had been from Niijima's phone, because of course it had been. This day was just really hitting on the head for her that the consequences of yesterday were more than she anticipated, all because it had been her friend who caused it.

"The hell?" Ryuji said, displeased.

"You four seem to be having so much fun. I'm a little jealous," Niijima said easily.

Ryuji huffed. "Are you snoopin' on us again? We said before, we don't know nothin'."

"Why do you think I'm here to question you?" Niijima said, much too innocent to be genuine. "Could it be you're hiding something?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're hiding something since you're assumin' we're doin' the same," Akira said, annoyed at her obvious attempt at mindgames.

Ren muffled a scoff to her side as Niijima briefly glared before turning "friendly" as she said,

"Well, my ears are always open to the troubles of my peers, you know, if you are."

Now Ann was the one to scoff. "You're really that hungry for that letter of recommendation?" she said, her menacing tone reminding her of the Kamoshida fight and making Akira a bit nervous. "Of course you are. Nobody would take your annoying job if they weren't."

Niijima broke her façade to properly glare at the blonde. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you could enlighten us, oh most gracious Miss Prez?" Akira said.

"Yeah. You're student council president, right? You would know a lot of things ahout the school..." Ann's gaze burned hotter. "Wouldn't you have known about Kamoshida?"

"Of course not!" the brunette said, frowning. "He was honestly a good teacher until that day..."

It sounded genuine.

But that wasn't enough for Ann, not that Akira blamed her.

"Oh, but you always take the teacher's side. That's what a good student council president does, right?"

But of all the things Niijima did to retaliate...she said,

"Then...what about you? What did you do for your friend?"

And Ren snapped.

"Don't you dare."

Everyone save her was startled by her brother standing before the student council president with a frigid gaze and tone.

"Don't you dare bring Suzui into this, you coward."

Akira would give Niijima credit. Despite the intensity of Ren's wrath, she held firm and said,

"But it's true, isn't it?" Then she faced Ann. "You were much closer to her than I was, how did you help?"

"There wasn't any way to help! By myself... I couldn't do anything!"

Luckily for Niijima, she had the decency to flinch and look away in shame as she said,

"There's no need to shout."

Otherwise, she doubted Ren would've backed off just then and said,

"You brought this on yourself."

Before going to Ann's side to give her a comforting squeeze on her shoulder. The blonde smiled briefly at the gesture before joining them all in their stare down at the brunette.

"That's why we're with the Phantom Thieves, Miss Prez," Akira said. "We couldn't do anything, no matter what we did...but they were able to do somethin'."

"Yeah. If those Phantom Thieves are out there helpin' people...people like us... I'd root for 'em no questions asked." Ryuji glared. "They've gotta be more dependable than some people I know."

It was silent as Niijima said nothing to rebuff them and they said nothing more on the topic. But after a bit, and realizing they wouldn't talk anymore, the brunette sighed and turned.

"Just make sure to show up to your classes, all right?" she said as she walked away, as if nothing happened.

But it did happen and the first thing Ann said when she was gone was,

"You know what I said about if we'll be okay if we keep going? I take that back. I'd be ashmaed to let it end now."

Akira and Ren smiled, though she could tell her brother was still a bit worried about the blonde.

"Hell yeah. It's about time we found our next target too," Ryuji said.

"Heh. Good thing we don't got exams this time, we can start looking earlier."

"So let's all look for leads then?" Ren said.

"Yeah!"

"Goro Akechi denounced the Phantom Thieves, saying that even if they seemed to be doing good, they were still vigilantes, people working outside the law. In other words, they were criminals. As such, he wished to catch them, even more so as the Second Detective Prince.

Author's Notes: Chapter title is taken from a quote of Montesquieu, that goes "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice." I'll admit I don't know when and/or where he says it.