Chapter 49: Examining Layers

(A)

Last night, Mishima had given yet another concerning request, one of a cyber stalker that seemed to be threatening to kill her boyfriend. Despite that, her brother still insisted that they waited until a little after exams at least. She understood why, yes, but she couldn't help but wonder how much waiting was taking its toll on him, especially since he was probably "blocking" the worst of it from coming through their link. If she wanted to deal with the quests almost immediately...how much more for her brother? Ren seemed fine this morning as they went to school, so she might be underestimating his resolve. She could only hope he could maintain it...for his sake.

As they were waiting for the train though, all worries about that left her when a familiar voice said,

"Ah, good morning, Akira, Amamiya-kun."

Akira gasped and smiled. "Mornin' Akechi!"

"Good morning," her brother said.

"I see you're quite cheerful today."

"Heh heh. It's 'cause I'm glad to see ya, duh," Akira said. "How've you been? Work hasn't been much has it? You know, with the whole Kaneshiro arrest."

His smile became plastered. "Oh it's been fine. If anything, it's more the support the Thieves are getting now that's bothersome since I previously denounced them..."

Akira frowned. "Oh." She groaned. "Of course..." Of all the stupid...

"Ah, but I assure you, it's nothing I can't handle."

"That don't mean you should be dealin' with it..."

To her confusion, she felt some annoyance from Akechi that he hid with a somehow even more plastered smile. "But I can handle it."

"That don't change the fact that I hate that you're dealin' with it in the first place."

For a moment, Akechi was stunned and his expression stopped being faked as he said, "Well, it's to be expected. Despite them going after Kaneshiro, my...opinion remains adamant."

Akira gave him an inquisitive look. "Oh? For real?"

And then the pleasant smile returned. "Yes. I need more than just this action to prove their justice to me."

Damn it. She wasn't surprised that was the case, now that she thought about it, but still... She had hoped it would've convinced him, even a little bit...as the first step in that direction.

"Ugh...for real? What [is gonna convince ya?"

It was only after she said that did she realize her slip, as minor as it was.

"Akira!" Mona whisper-shouted.

She tensed. Shit. Akechi could end up suspicious of her reasons for wanting to change his mind so much.

Instead, he said, "...if I can confirm that they are actually not the ones perpetrating the mental shutdowns."

Akira perked up in interest, relieved he wasn't questioning her motives...for now. "The mental shutdowns?"

He smiled even more "pleasantly". "I was investigating the shutdowns before I was assigned to the Phantom Thieves case. So I can't help but worry the perpetrator is trying to throw others off their trail by pretending to be just."

So it was the cause of the mental shutdowns he was worried about... In other words, he was hunting the "Black Mask". Well, in that case, that made everything simpler.

Akira smiled under her mask. "Well then, you'll find out eventually right? 'Cause if the Phantom Thieves really are just, then maybe they'll even go after the one causing the mental shutdowns."

For one odd moment, pure panic shot into her heart, but before she could question it, the station announced their train's arrival and Akechi said,

"Ah sorry. I don't want to make you late. See you again."

And then he left and they had to board their own train before they missed it. Once they were inside, Mona whisper-shouted,

"Be careful with what you say, Akira! I thought you said you're tight-lipped with him!"

She glared at the panicking cat. "Oy! That's just one slip up! And it's not an obvious one anyway!"

"But that's all he needs and it could cost us!

She growled. "Shut up you stupid—"

"Speaking of slip ups."

They stilled.

"You missed a chance to ask Akechi directly if he wanted to join us in a firework festival."

Silence.

"Oh come on!"

"Akira! We're on the train!"

{R}

Despite Akechi still doubting the Phantom Thieves, he was grateful the conversation that morning confirmed the source of it. With that, they had all the more reason to solve the mystery of the "Black Mask". Plus, despite causing a minor scene on the train because of it, he got a chance to tease Aki about the missed opportunity to invite Akechi to their fireworks festival outing.

Come after school, she was still grumbling about missing the chance to invite Akechi on their way home. Ann and Ryuji needed to do some errands before they studied, so were going to do so by themselves instead of with Aki and him at Leblanc. Well, Ren would at the very least study. Mona didn't want to stay inside Leblanc for the afternoon so he went on ahead for his stroll. Meanwhile, Aki was definitely making plans to ask Akechi in person instead of, say, texting him, because it was the perfect "excuse" to spend time with him, so there was a chance she wouldn't. It was then that Makoto came up to them. They ended up chatting about Dr. Maruki, which reminded both of them that they hadn't seen him in a long time, so they also recommended the counselor to the brunette, who had been curious of his capabilities. So now Makoto planned on seeing him tomorrow.

Oh and she reminded them that they might not go to the fireworks festival if they had low scores.

Ren and Aki sweatdropped.

Makoto chuckled. "Just joking."

"Ha ha...sure," they said before sharing a nervous look.

She definitely had not been joking.

With that, they parted ways. But once again, they were caught by someone on the way home.

"Amamiya-senpai, Akira-san. What a pleasant surprise."

"Hey Yoshizawa!" Aki said, eyes brightening. "What's up?"

"Not much. Just heading home. Although..."

"Though what?"

"There is something I'd like to talk about with both of you, if you have the time."

"Yeah, I'm fine with that. What 'bout you, Big Bro?"

Ren nodded.

"Okay then! We're up for hearin'."

Yoshizawa smiled. "Thank you. Why don't we have a seat somewhere?"

Before they took a step though, Aki's eyes brightened even more and Ren knew she was smiling just as brightly when she said,

"Akechi!"

The teen in question chuckled as he came up to them and Yoshizawa, who was briefly startled by his sister's outburst.

"We saw each other this morning, you know," he said, eyes soft and smile amused.

Aki laughed. "Hey, I get to see my busy friend twice in one day. Of course I'd get excited."

The detective chuckled again until he spotted their red headed friend, his expression turning neutral.

"Oh, and you are..."

Ren couldn't help but snort at his mood change.

"It's been quite a while, Akechi-san."

"And the same for you. Yoshizawa-san, correct?"

"Oh right. Yoshizawa told me you know each other," said Aki.

"Oh? You two know each other as well?"

"Yeah. We're classmates and she's also our friend."

"Yes. They've also helped me out of a jam before and now have been offering me guidance."

"I should've known. Were you going on an outing together then?"

"Oh right! I was just about to share some exciting news," said Yoshizawa.

"Heh heh, hey, I thought you wanted to take a seat first," his sister said.

"Oh, uh, well..."

Ren smirked. "You're not much better when you're excited, Aki."

"Oh shuddup."

Yoshizawa giggled then took the invitation to share. "Well, it's about that summer competition I mentioned to you before. Do you remember?"

"Yeah, a bit."

Ren nodded. Though, unfortunately, he could only vaguely recall the gymnast mentioning it.

"I was chosen to be our club representitive!"

"For real?! That's great!"

"Congratulations."

"My congrats to you as well, Yoshizawa-san. Isn't your club's team considered to be quite prestigious?"

Aki scoffed. "Well, I wouldn't know, with how much the school sucks..." she mumbled.

Ren hid his amused snort with a rub of his nose.

"And you're their representivie? I must say, that's extremely impressive."

"Thank you! I'll do my best to make everyone proud."

Akechi smiled politely. "I'll be cheering you on as well. Ah—I have an idea. How about we do a little celebration for Yoshizawa-san's success?"

"That would be wonderful!"

"Yeah! I'm all for that! What about you, Big Bro?"

Ren nodded. "I agree."

"Then that's settled."

"I'm guessin' ya got a place in mind?" said Aki to Akechi.

"Ha ha. Sharp as always. Indeed. There's this wonderful little café I know about..."

Aki gasped dramatically. "There's another café you like besides Leblanc?! For shame, Akechi! I thought you would be loyal to ours!"

For a moment, Akechi was confused, but soon caught onto what his sister was doing with a laugh and a small smile. "Oh don't worry. Leblanc is still my number one café, I can assure you that."

"Good. Or I'd be pulling out the big guns to keep you there."

Akechi turned inquisitive as he smirked. "Oh? And what would these 'big guns' be?"

Which Aki returned, of course. "Well, I won't need to tell you since I don't need 'em."

Ren chuckled as the two laughed at their banter, heartened to see his sister so uplifted. Now the only question he had was how long it would take until she remembered about her planned invitation.

With Akechi leading, they soon found themselves at a comfy little café, which seemed to be called "Miel at crêpes". It wasn't rustic like Leblanc, but he could guess why the detective liked it. The design was elegant in its simplicity and carefully chosen color palette, while the café itself had its tables mostly filled, but did not have too many lined up. After they took their seats—Yoshizawa to his right, Aki to his left, and Akechi diagonally before him—as they were looking through the menu, Akechi said to Aki with a smirk,

"Do you want me to pick something out for you again?"

His sister glowered at her friend. "Ha ha, very funny. You know what? How about I pick something out for you so that we're even?"

"Oh? So sure about your chances?"

"You bet I am!"

Ren wasn't entirely sure why they were talking about who ordered for who, but it was very amusing to watch them. Aki eventually decided on a doppio and Akechi, though he masked it, was surprised at the choice, so Ren assumed she did get it right on first try. It was even more amusing when Yoshizawa seemed so baffled at the sight and was trying her best not to show it. Thankfully for her, neither seemed to notice, but they noticed something else.

"Yoshizawa-san, you drink hot beverages even in summer?" Akechi said after they all ordered.

"I'm sorry what?" Aki said, staring.

"I have to prevent my body temperature from getting too cold, since the meet's coming up rather soon."

"I see, you make sure you cover all your bases."

"Ugh...I can't believe you can stand that... I can barely stand the heat..."

Ren smirked. "Well, you still drink hot coffee even though it's summer."

"That's different!"

"Well, some people say that coffee can cool you off, even when hot, so that might be why. I try to avoid coffee because of that as well."

Aki smiled. "There. See?"

Ren rolled his eyes. He prepared to quip back...

"That's just confirmation bias."

...but Akechi beat him to it.

"Yeah—hey! No it's not!"

"Oh no, you're right. It's just bias."

"Hey, I can't help it if coffee's horrible to drink cold!"

"You do know there's iced coffee, right? And that it is a matter of taste?"

"Nothing beats a good cup of hot coffee."

Ren couldn't contain his laughter this time, which triggered Aki to laugh as well. When they stopped though, oddly, Akechi's smile turned a bit plastered.

"Well, what about you, Akechi-san?" said Yoshizawa before his sister could question the boy's look. "Akira-san ordered coffee for you, yet you've always presented the image that you enjoy sweet things. Is that untrue? I swear I saw you eating sweet fried bread on TV the other day..."

His sister frowned as the detective said, "It's all part of a marketing strategy. That sort of stunt is an easy crowd-pleaser."

"You seem to have all your own bases covered as well."

Aki scoffed. "Of course it is."

Ren agreed wholeheartedly.

Yet Akechi seemed amused by their annoyance. "Are you surprsied?"

"Not really. Just sucks they're making you do that..." his sister said.

"Presenting oneself in a favorable light is nothing surprising. More surprising is how innocent you seem to be."

Aki glared at Akechi. "Oy. What are you implyin', you smartass..."

"I'm not implying anything. Just making an observation."

"Well then I'm observin' that you're makin' fun of me hatin' the thought that the stupid idol industry is being applied to you too."

Silence.

The two just stared each other down, Aki looking pissed while Akechi looking nonchalant. Ren, however, felt such a cocktail of emotions from both that it was hard to tell at first what they were feeling, especially Akechi. But in Aki's case, he didn't even need their link to know. He knew that his sister was upset that Akechi was dodging what she considered to be an issue. And it seemed that the brunett still was, not making any more comments. But still, the quiet continued to stretch on to the point of becoming awkward.

Before he could attempt to break it, Yoshizawa said, "Um... I've been wondering for while. How do you two know each other?"

And it was the perfect chance he needed.

"Oh, it was a pretty normal meeting," he said in a sing-song tone. "Just Aki nearly dying and Akechi saving her, that's all."

"Huh?!"

It was no surprise Akechi also seized the subject change as he said with his pleasant smile again, "I didn't save her from anything dramatic, if that's what you're thinking. She was merely having an asthma attack when she lost her rescue inhaler and I returned it to her before she could succumb."

Aki, meanwhile, glared at him, likely having planned to press the issue with Akechi. But Ren hoped she figured out by now that, at this point, her friend won't talk about it and if she had pressed on, an argument was likely to have exploded.

And it seemed she did as when Yoshizawa said, "Really? Is that true, Akira-san?"

His sister sighed in resignation and answered. "Yeah, it's for real. I was walkin' around Shibuya when somethin' triggered my asthma and I dropped my inhaler 'cause it was so damned crowded. That's when Akechi came and gave me my inhaler. I gave him a chocolate as thanks, and I thought he might get hungry since he was headin' for work."

"I see... It's quite an unusual meeting. Though somehow I think it's quite fitting."

Aki gave a flat look. "Why? 'Cause I'm the 'damsel in distress' and he's the 'prince' that came to save me?"

"Is...something wrong with that? You were in danger."

"Yeah...but it makes me sound like some 'helpless maiden' that can't handle herself."

Yoshizawa was startled. "Oh, no! Nothing like that. I more meant that...I can imagine that's how you two would meet. You getting in trouble and Akechi coming to save you since I imagine you get into trouble a lot."

Ren laughed.

Akechi scoffed in amusement.

And Aki said, "Hey! What's so funny?!"

Ren stopped just to say, "She's right, you know. You always get yourself in trouble."

"I'm not surprised that your brother says that," said Akechi.

"Hey! He's not much better!"

"But at least he doesn't have a chronic health problem that could get worse depending on what kind of trouble he finds himself in."

Aki opened her mouth to speak, but stopped, realizing she had been beaten. So all she could do was sulk and glower at the detective as she said, "I'll get you for that."

And the detective just chuckled and smirked and said, "I expect nothing less."

He and Yoshizawa chuckled in tandem before the redhead then said to Akechi,

"And what about you and Amamiya-senpai?"

"Oh, we met a few times through Akira, but haven't had a proper conversation until their social studies trip."

Yoshizawa smiled in amusement. "You mean the one where Akira-san caused a minor incident?"

"That's the one."

Aki mumbled something in annoyance but otherwise made no comment.

"He and I exchanged opinions during the shoot and his way of thinking intrigued me."

"I can definitely see that. Amamiya-senpai's take on things often helps me as well."

"Hey! Don't forget me!"

The red haired athlete laughed. "Of course not. You help a lot too."

"That reminds me, Yoshizawa-san. You had mentioned they have been providing you with some guidance."

"Yes—like you just said, their way of thinking is intriguing. I figured I could benefit from their input."

"In that case, let's play a little game..."

Ren shot him an inquisitive look.

Aki was much the same. "A game?"

"Would you mind if I posed the same question to you that I first asked him?"

Ah. This will be interesting. And it was working as a perfect distraction for Aki, who sat up straight with eyes alight in intrigue.

"Hmm? No. Go right ahead," said the current center of attention.

"So, my question was... What do you think of the Phantom Thieves, Yoshizawa-san?"

"The Phantom Thieves? You mean in the case that they do in fact exist, yes?"

The brunett nodded.

"Well...I admit that the assistance of others in need is a truly great act... But I simply can't agree with their methods."

"What."

That... That was unexpected.

"I see. Care to explain why?"

"I suspect the Phantom Thieves's existence isn't going to be beneficial to society in the long run."

Ren frowned. There it is again... The long run... he thought, remembering his little fishing outing with the other guys.

"How so?"

"Like, for example, when someone's faced with a problem to overcome, I believe they need to do it themselves. Getting help from others is totally fine, but in the end, it takes a person's initiative to truly create lasting change."

Ren flinched, remembering Dad.

"If people relied upon a safety net like the Phantom Thieves, I worry that people would stop making a conscious effort."

"Oh..." Aki said, somber.

"Granted, this depends on how severe the problem is, and it's inaccurate to apply a generalization to an entire population..." With resolution, Yoshizawa said, "But I believe a society where everyone simply leaves matters to the Phantom Thieves won't last very long."

"I see... So, in the sense of a person's growth, their actions actually hinder it.

Quite an interesting take on the matter."

While it was, admittedly, quite jarring to hear it consider his identity, he would agree with that.

So it was no surprise Akechi said, "Let me ask you two then—what do you think of Yoshizawa-san's opinion?"

"It was helpful," he said.

At the very least, it was reminder that they needed to be careful with their actions.

Though Aki summed up his feelings on it rather succintly. "Felt like I've been slapped, but only 'cause I didn't think of it 'till now."

"I have to agree. It was quite inspiring for myself as well."

"Huh? 'Slapped'...? Wait..." Yoshizawa turned shocked. "...are you two actually be fans of the Phantom Thieves?!"

Akechi looked a bit surprised. "Oh? You didn't know they're supporters of the Phantom Thieves?"

"No, I didn't! And here I was dismissing them..."

To his further relief, Aki laughed. "It's fine, Yoshizawa."

"But I..."

"We're friends with Akechi, ain't we? So really, it's fine. Like I told him, as long as it's your opinion, it's fine."

Ren nodded, giving a reassuring look to her.

Thankfully she calmed down. "... Still, I didn't think you would be fans. It's just a rumor after all. Why are you fans of them?"

And they said in tandem,

"We'd probably be in jail for real if it weren't for them..."

"We wouldn't be here if they hadn't changed Kamoshida's heart."

It was just their luck that their orders arrived then.

The detective sighed and said, "I didn't mean to start an argument. I just can't help myself sometimes. Let's change the subject to something a bit lighter."

Luckily, despite the change being rather obvious, Aki perked up and said,

"Crap! I almost forgot! Again!"

Both Akechi and Yoshizawa were confused.

"Forget what?"

And finally Aki asked them if they would like to come to watch a fireworks festival along with their other friends, surprising both. Unfortunately, Yoshizawa likely couldn't because of her training but if the date happened to coincide with a free day, then she'd try. Akechi, however, said he'd make the time.

"Just tell me the date."

Aki smiled softly. "Got it."

And so that was set and they did end up talking of lighter topics...or rather Aki and Akechi did, with them talking about whether they were going to wear yukatas before moving on to Aki asking if she got his coffee preference right. All the while, neither seemed to realize he and Yoshizawa were still there.

"Those two really are close, aren't they?" Yoshizawa said softly.

Ren chuckled as he sipped some more of his drink. "They are," he said as Aki went on to tease Akechi about indeed getting his preference right...

...before Akechi teased her back over her still lacking ability on brewing his prefered coffee right.

He smiled. Aki wouldn't be teasing Akechi if she didn't feel comfortable in doing so. He hoped that it was similar for the detective considering how smug he was being while "ticking off" his sister.

But before long, Yoshizawa's father called and she had to get going before they worried more. So they bid each other good-bye, as well as good luck to Yoshizawa from each of them, before they made their way home. Unlike the light atmosphere of when they left off, the trip to Leblanc was somber.

He knew why.

"What do you think of what Yoshizawa said, Big Bro?" Aki said, much less vibrant than usual.

"She has a point. It's like what they say about the butterfly. The caterpillar can't turn into a proper one if it can't break out of the chrysalis. But we do what we do because something, or rather someone, isn't even giving people that option. So it's just a reminder to stick to that," he said. He glanced at her. "But I know that you know that, so I'm assuming that's not what's bothering you."

His sister looked startled but then laughed. Even though she still wasn't back to normal when she was done, he was still glad to hear it.

"How'd you know?" she said, already knowing the answer.

"Because we're family," he said, giving it anyway.

Another chuckle before they turned quiet.

Ren gave her the time to think.

Aki sighed. "I never really thought how long we'd be doin' it and...it made me realize I didn't really think about what I wanted to do when I got older, y'know?"

Ah... The long run...

Ren scoffed and bitterly said, without thinking, "Not that we have many options in the first place."

He only realized what he had done when Aki laughed hollowly and her exuberance was further drained.

"Yeah...'cause we're fuckin' nobodies."

Ren cursed himself...and the truth in that.

But there was another truth he could point out.

"But at least we're not alone. We have Mama, Dad, Mona, our friends...and each other. So I don't mind."

Aki looked at him, startled, before she burst out genuine laughter. When she was done, his sister pulled down her mask just to show of her cheeky grin.

"That was cheesy as hell, Big Bro," she complained, her tone and shining eyes saying anything but.

He smiled and gave a short bow with a small flourish. "It's not if it's the truth."

They chuckled, his mission to cheer his little sister up successful.

As they waited for the train, Aki said,

"Thanks, Big Bro."

"You're welcome."

(A)

Akira stared at her phone, reading, editing, and re-reading her message as she once again ignored Mona's attempts at getting her to go straight to sleep.

As much as...his words pissed her off, from implying she was naïve to just letting his managers do whatever they thought was "best" for him, that didn't stop her from feeling bad about it afterwards. It was only worsened by Yoshizawa's opinion on the Phantom Thieves later on in their café outing. The reminder of her lack of a future...while her friend was already a famous detective had her envious of him, despite knowing his job and celebrity status carried its own set of problems just as being a "teenaged criminal" did. Not to mention that, though her brother did cheer her up afterwards, that she wasn't alone...

...it also reminded her that Akechi didn't have anyone else.

So she felt that he was due an apology that wasn't just the peace they settled on after their argument, even if it was going to be through text. But she felt the sooner, the better, and if this was the best way for that, then it was enough.

Akira: Hey Akechi. It's fine if you don't answer. I just wanted to let you know. That fireworks invite wasn't because of that argument okay? I've been meaning to ask you for a couple of days. So...even though it kinda is sorta a peace offerrin, don't think it's ONLY that. I invited you cuz I wanted to spend time with ya. And sorry for gettin mad. I was just worried yknow.

Akechi: I see.

Akechi: Then thank you for inviting me.

Akechi: It's no problem. I was unintentionally antagonizing you after all.

She sighed in relief.

Akira: No prob! You're my friend. Best you remember that.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but it felt like the detective hesitated in that moment.

Akechi: I'll be sure to keep that mind.

Akira: See ya later Akechi!

Akechi: Good-bye Akira.

Safe in the knowledge that Akechi was truly coming and wasn't mad about yesterday, she was still smiling come the afternoon of the next day, making her way to Haru-senpai after her brother told her he would be seeing Takemi for another clinical trial and restocking her meds. Thankfully, Haru-senpai was still in school, at her rooftop garden as she thought.

"Senpai!"

"Oh, hello, Akira-chan. Did you want to help with the garden? I think I have a new harvest coming soon."

"For real?" Aki paused and shook her head. "Ah, well, sure I'll help, but first I gotta ask before I forget."

"Hmm? Ask about what?"

"I'm gonna be goin' to a fireworks festival with my brother and our friends and I was hopin' you'd come with."

"Oh. Really? Um..."

"Can't make it?"

"Well...more like I actually had planned on seeing a fireworks festival."

"Oh..."

"But!" Haru-senpai said, startling her. "Have you already picked a festival to see?"

Akira grinned. Ooooooh... "No, we haven't yet. When's the festival you were plannin' on goin'?"

"July eighteenth. Oh. Do you have your phone?"

"Uh...'course I do."

"I believe you can search it up yourself. I'll help."

"Sure thing, Senpai!"

One search, and several chats with her friends and brother, later, the date was set and all participants informed of each other's inclusion. With that, Akira helped her senpai out with the garden until it was time to go home and study.

Right before they studied though...

"Son of a bitch!"

...Ren told her what had happened with Takemi.

Simply put: some jerk named Oyamada decided to get back at her for "stealing his patient"...by telling her that the patient she had been doing all her clinical trials for...was dead.

Akira groaned and ruffled her hair in frustration.

"Damn it... If only we didn't have exams tomorrow! We could just change that jerk's heart already!"

"My thoughts exactly!" Mona said.

"About that..."

"Huh?" she said, confused at his hesitant tone.

"I was...thinking we would deal with it after the festival."

"Say what now?"

"... Well, if you think that's best, then so be it."

"But...!"

"Do you really think you'll be up to doing anything like that so soon after exams? Or the others?"

Akira grumbled. As much as she hated to say it...

"No..."

...her brother was right on that.

Plus no one's lives were in immediate danger...even that abused girlfriend, since Mifune-san didn't mention her fortune happening so soon. So they could afford to put these missions off, unlike some...as much as it sucked to even think about it like that. But it wasn't as if this wasn't going to happen at some point, where they just couldn't save someone immediately, not without consequences. She would just have to start learning to accept and work with it.

"Then that's what we'll do."

Akira sighed. "Still..." She scrutinized her brother. "Are you fine with waitin' so long?"

She might be able to deal with it, since it's already been days since they first learnt of the abused girlfriend. "What's a few more days of waiting?" a more cold, and ruthless, part of her said. But she knew Ren, of all people, would really want to help now, especially for a friend.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Not really. But the timing isn't exactly something we can change..."

Akira huffed and set her jaw. "Then let's study so that we can show these exams they can't stop us!"

She smiled as Ren laughed at her antics, glad to have cheered her brother up.

[G]

Akechi frowned.

He had known Akira and Yoshizawa-san were classmates from making his Phantom Thieves "suspect list", and considering the bespectacled girl's disposition, it should be no surprise the two ended up friends, if not acquaintances. And of course that led to introducing her brother to the girl, just like with him. Yet still, he had hoped that wouldn't be the case. The girl was delusional. True, he didn't know her personally, but from what he had gleaned from various traffic accident reports, her behavior since a certain incident, and her own parents' treatment of her...he knew she was fooling herself into being someone she was not.

As if YOU'RE any better.

As such, he didn't want her anywhere near Akira, much in the same way one was cautious around drunkards on the streets. But he knew there really was no precedence for that. Even if she was acting, Yoshizawa wasn't a danger to anyone, except perhaps herself. And they were already friends, so Akira would be even more resistant to leaving her alone. Especially since...

"Well then I'm observin' that you're makin' fun of me hatin' the thought that the stupid idol industry is being applied to you too."

...he knew that if Akira knew the truth, she would be more concerned than self-conscious about how she came off to strangers who'd see her.

I'm glad she cares.

We don't NEED any PITY from someone like HER.

He was jostled from his thoughts when he nearly bumped into someone on the way to his station. After apologizing, he internally grumbled and chastised himself for his slip. When he stood to wait for his train, he sighed, annoyed.

It had already been two days, yet here he was, still ruminating over Akira's association with Yoshizawa-san.

He really needed to stop. His persona as the Dectective Prince could be ruined at this rate.

And once again, fate played with him again as a familiar voice said,

"Oh, Akechi-san. This is a surprise."

And he turned to face Kitagawa-san with a trained smile.

"Indeed. I believe this is the first time for us to run into each like this." Or rather, by themselves, as there was that one time they unintentionally spoke of chaos theory with Akira, some time ago.

"Yes, I believe that is the case," the former pupil of Madarame said.

Silence.

An awkward silence.

Damn it.

Akechi prepared to fill it with small talk, but then Kitagawa-san said,

"I don't hate you, by the way."

Akechi was startled but he didn't let that show, beyond a simple "inquisitive" tilt of his head as he said, "Oh? What brought this on?"

"I'm sure you came to that conclusion youself since Akira speaks highly of your deduction abilities, but I wanted to make that clear to you, as Akira was worried about inviting you since she feared we would dislike your company until we told her we wouldn't object."

He kept up his smile, acting "curious". "Oh? Did you now?"

Why the hell are the Thieves just letting me more or less spy on them?!

"Of course. You are a dear friend to her, and none of us could deny her a chance to spend time with you, not after everything she's done for us."

Akechi was stunned.

"Wha—"

The announcer informed everyone of the train's arrival.

"Ah, that is my train. Farewell, Akechi-san. I shall see you at the fireworks festival."

With that, the student artist left as suddenly as he appeared.

Akechi nearly grumbled in aggravation, but thankfully kept up his pleasant demeanor as he waited for his train to arrive, ignoring the cacophony that was Loki and Robin Hood voicing their annoyance and gratitude and hate and happiness.

{R}

The exams passed by as uneventful as he'd hoped, with the only "incident" being Ryuji texting about a summer meat festival during the first day, hoping the team would go there together. So of course it had to be "balanced out" by the fact that, when exams ended, the gossip around Yoshizawa was harsher now, the gossipers jealous of her privileges. As such, when Dr. Maruki approached him to discuss about the "hypothetical" situation where someone doesn't meet high expectations and finding a way of "fixing" that, he knew he was speaking of Yoshizawa. It was a stark reminder of how time consuming and limited the counselor's services were against a world that could so easily break a person over something so small.

"Ugh... Assholes..." Aki said after he answered her question of what held him up.

Indeed.

So he was happy to get his mind off of it when they reached the Teikyu Building accessway...even if it was through the suffering of Ann and Ryuji.

"Exams are finally over... I'm so exhausted..." said the former.

"Ugh... I can get back to actually sleepin' in peace..." said the latter.

"Huh," Makoto said, pleasantly surprised. "You must have been studying pretty hard if it kept you up at night."

"Just watch that go down the drain..." Aki whispered beside him.

"Nah. I was up playin' video games. Slackin' off is just too much fun..."

"I know, right?! I kept cleaning my room instead of studying! It might even be too clean now..."

"Called it."

Ren chuckled.

And then Yusuke said, "You two are perfect exemplars of what escapism can mean."

Aki guffawed.

"Oh shuddup you!"

Makoto sighed. "And I can only imagine what the end result will be."

"Whatever, it's over now! Who cares about that anymore?!" Ryuji said, making him and Aki snicker. "What's real important is the Phantom Thieves' popularity! Ain't it amazin'?!"

Ann smiled. "It kinda feels like our time's finally here!"

Aki gave him a knowing look. "Don't you mean...it's show time?"

"Ha ha, very funny," he said, his smile belying his tone.

"I have even heard people excitedly speculating our next target. We will have to choose carefully," said a pleased Yusuke.

"Ha ha. For real? Then I guess we really are in the big leagues now," his sister said.

"Yeah!"

Makoto though reminded them. "There's no need to hurry. We should spend some time thinking it over."

Ren nodded. "I agree."

The last thing they wanted was to give the skeptics more reason to worry... Or rather, give Akechi more reasons to doubt them. He knew Aki wouldn't want that.

Of course, Ryuji chose that moment to say, "Hoooold up!The most important thing now is our celebration party! I hope you guys didn't forget."

"Course not! No way am I gonna miss it!"

"Great! I guess we're good in meetin' up in Shibuya, yeah? Let's say...five PM!"

"I'm fine. Lemme check with Akechi and Senpai if it's all right with 'em," Aki said aa she took out her phone.

"You sure are on top of these kinds of things..." said Mona.

Speaking of those things...

Ren looked to Ryuji and said, "When is the summer festival you mentioned?"

"Summer festival?"

"Oh crap! I almost forgot! It's tomorrow!"

Of course it was.

Ren internally sighed. He had hoped that wasn't the case. But since it was, he then said,

"Then I won't be going with you."

"What?! Why not, dude?!"

"I have to buy our clothes for Aki, you and I for the fireworks festival."

"Can't you just have her buy 'em or somethin'?"

"Hey! I never said I wasn't gonna come to the festival," his sister said as she put away her phone, done messaging as she glared at Ryuji.

The faux-blond sighed. "But I was hopin' that Ren would come."

"Wow, gee, thanks for the enthusiasm."

"You know what I mean! Y'know, the more, the fairer-er."

"It's merrier."

"What is this about a summer festival?" said the curious artist.

"Oh, there's a festival comin' up tomorrow. I bet you'd wanna come, yeah Yusuke? There's gonna be a whole lot of meat and stuff there."

"Meat?! Then I shall accompany you tomorrow!"

Ren chuckled. Of course he would.

Then, to his surprise, Makoto said, "Do you...mind if I come as well?"

"Huh? You like meat too, Makoto?"

"Well, I do, but I'm mostly curious what the festival is like. I've never been to one."

"Oh then you should totally come! I'm pretty sure they got other stuff like shaved ice and stuff too." Then Ryuji said, "Wanna come too, Ann?"

"No thanks. I'm going with Ren, remember? Besides, I've been meaning to go shopping with him."

He smiled. "I'd be glad to have you." His company decided, he then said, "So, what did Haru-senpai and Akechi say about the meeting time, Aki?"

With that, his sister informed them they were fine with five PM, and their plans for the next two days were set.

Author's Notes: Tl;dr of the argument in the cafe:

Akechi: I eat sweets for the sake of marketing.

Akira: Geez that sucks.

Akechi: Surprised?

Akira: No but it sucks.

Akechi: People pretend to look good all the time. I'm surprised you're still naïve enough to think otherwise.

Akira: Oy smartass what was that for?

Akechi: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Akira: Don't make fun of me for caring about you damnit! Let me care about you!

Akechi: ... (why would you care about me that much? That's a fact of life)

Akira: ... (is he really just gonna TAKE it? Argh... Don't DO that! I can't stand the thought of you suffering like that)

Did I have fun with Akira and Akechi's banter? Yes. Yes I did. Though I can tell you I certainly didn't plan on writing that "argument" of theirs. It just came up as I wrote it. But the wild cards have a tendency to do that when I write... Especially Akechi.