Catch-22: The Thin Red Line
By: M14Mouse
Summary: It has been awhile since Yu and Akechi had a talk.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Many thanks to AKatsinTcups for betaing this chapter.
"For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first."
― Suzanne Collins
"It has been awhile. You seemed stressed since the last time, we had talked," Yu said as he took a seat next to Akechi at the counter.
"While it isn't my area of expertise, Medjed and Phantom Thieves have made things complicated around the office," Akechi said to him.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, the phone calls have been senseless. Mostly, it's Medjed has hacked my account or computer or The Phantom Thieves have taken my friend's heart. Of course, we have to investigate each case even if proves to be nothing."
He nodded his head. Sojiro approached the pair.
"What can I get you, kids?" Sojiro said.
"A coffee, please. Three sugars and cream," Akechi answered.
"Tea," Yu said cheekily.
He saw a brief smile play on Sojiro's face.
"One of these days, I am going to kick you out for that answer," Sojiro said as he adjusted his glasses.
"You would miss me if you did. Since you don't have tea, I will go with coffee and three sugars."
Sojiro chuckled then moved away from the pair.
"I didn't know that you came here often," Akechi said.
"Your fault."
Akechi laughed.
"I suppose it is since I did introduce you to this place."
Yu grinned at his friend. Sojiro returned with two cups of coffee and set the cups in front of them.
"Thank you," He said to Sojiro, who waved it off and went back to cleaning some mugs nearby.
Typical Sojiro.
"Going back to what we talking about. The media doesn't help either. I have never seen so many reports of misdirection and misinformation."
Akechi sighed.
"As long as it's a good story."
"…and it sells papers," He added as he took a sip of his coffee.
He didn't know how much he can press Akechi about his involvement with Medjed without revealing his involvement with the Thieves.
"Truly. One of those supposed "hacks" turned out to be an employee who forget unlock the system in the morning."
"From my morning reports, one of the hacks turned out a company who hadn't updated their systems since I was in high school."
"Pitiful."
"Truly."
He shook his head and chuckled.
"We are doing it again."
Akechi chuckled softly.
"Yes, we are."
"So, I had an interesting time at a party I had to attend."
"Oh?" Akechi said with interest.
"Yeah, I meet Kunikazu Okumura and Masayoshi Shido."
"What is your impression of them?"
"Kunikazu Okumura is lost. He wants power but has no idea what to do with it once he has it. Of course, I pointed that out to him, he was insulted. Although, that hasn't stopped him from calling my company, I get the impression that he wants to prove he's right. So, I decided to invite him and his daughter to one of my research facilities and he invited me to one of his facilities. It will be interesting to see what happens."
"From what I read in the papers, Okumura has political aspirations but doesn't speak on what he will do once he gains a position. It was insightful of you to pick up on that."
"I read my company reports and the papers. As much as I stand by the truth, I know rumors can have a grain of truth. There are too many for me even to ignore."
"Very true. Even in my line of work, I hear the rumors. It is pitiful. Hopefully, he will realize his mistakes before it leads to his downfall."
"We can hope."
"And what do you think of Masayoshi Shido?"
There is that tone again. Goro's voice changed just a little bit when he said the man's name. Yu wondered what that was about.
"Interesting."
Shido was charming enough. He knew his name and his company. He knew little things to make the conversation engaging. He knew the man was intelligent enough. He spoke on his own company's research and its holdings. Clearly, he wasn't just a figurehead.
Still…something felt off about him even Isis spoke up about Shido.
That man has two tongues.
That was enough to put Yu on guard.
"Come, my friend. By reports, he is our future Prime Minster. There should be more to your interesting comment."
"I had a ten-minute conversation with him before he had to go. I don't think that's enough time to judge him. But, like the media has reported, he is charismatic and intelligent. He has a way with words to draw you in."
"But?"
"He is interesting," Yu said as he took another sip of his coffee.
He could tell that he was baffling his friend. Goro's eyebrow almost disappeared into his hair line.
"Good or bad interesting?"
"Interesting enough for me to pick up the phone if he calls but not enough to seek him out."
"Why?"
"I have enough to do. Right now, my focus is on my work. You have seen my table, Goro."
Akechi chuckled.
"I have. I attest that you work too much. What about that vacation that you were talking about?"
"Vacation? You jest, my friend. Although, Theo has cleared a few days in my schedule to go visit my cousin and my uncle. He has been very insisted about it. It even has big bold letters in my calendar. And you?" He said with a grin.
Akechi chuckled as he slipped his coffee.
"You jest, my friend. You can think of this as my vacation. I think that I'm rather enjoying it."
"I'm honored but I do think you need one. Sometimes, you worry me. I know some of those texts you send me aren't on a delay."
"Perhaps, after the thieves are captured, I will go on a vacation."
Yu hummed for a moment.
"I will hold you to it. Oh! I know. Perhaps, a day then…no work…nothing. I will take you this wonderful sushi place that my students suggested to me and fishing. There is a fishing pond in the area that I have been meaning to try"
Akechi blinked for a moment.
"Fishing?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I like to fish."
Akechi laughed softly.
"You continue to surprise me. Very well….sushi and fishing."
He beamed slightly. It would do Akechi some good to relax.
Both of them needed a day off in some form or another.
"Good. Text me the day that you are available and I will add it to my phone," He said to Akechi.
Akechi smiled for a moment before the smile turned into a frown.
"Akechi…Goro? Food for your thoughts?"
"How about coffee? No…I…thank you, you are truly a good friend. One of these days, I will repay you for that friendship."
Akechi's tone sounded strangely sad. He was wondering what bothering him.
One of his cases or….one of things that happened in Mementos…or maybe even his students.
"I try to be. You know you can talk me if you want…even if it is one of your cases. Naoto did it from time to time. You don't have to be strong and perfect all of the time especially for me, Goro."
Akechi jolted back for a moment at his comment.
"Thank you. Perhaps, one day, I will take you up on that offer."
Yu smiled softly.
"Good."
-P4P5P4-
When he reached the door to his apartment, he felt his phone vibrate. He looked at the screen and smiled.
It was his uncle.
He hit the answer button and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello, uncle."
There was a moment of pause over the phone.
"Hello, Yu. Uhh…how are you?"
"I am fine? Are you okay? Is Nanako okay?" His voice raising panic.
"Oh, yes! We are fine! Everyone is fine. I just wanted to call you before you find out."
"Find out what?" He said in confusion.
"Adachi is dead. Killed in some type of fight. I don't know all of the details yet. I…."
He didn't hear his uncle next words. He felt a cold lump down in his stomach.
He was pretty sure that Akechi investigated his background. It was in his nature.
He was acting strange this afternoon.
Dear god, Akechi, what have you done?
End of The Fine Red Line
Next Chapter: Break in Play: The World Within
A/N: -steps slowly away and hides- Okay, guys. You knew that this was coming. Afterall, I did warn you. It should be interesting to see Akechi and Yu's friendship goes from this point. I am totally glad everyone liked the last chapter. It was a toughie to write because Yu isn't very wordy unless he is pissed. Both from the game/anime, he is very much on point. I even cut some of his dialogue to reflect that. I told you that I would introduce Haru early. She will pop up again soon.
Anyway, thank you for the wonderful reviews, favorites, kudo, etc.