Their next treks to Tartatus swap things on their head quite a bit. Mitsuru, delivered from her support role, can finally join her fellow SEES members into the tower, Fuuka needs to build confidence in providing assistance with Lucia, and Minako elevates her twin as a second leader.

Over the last few months, the more silent Arisato has positioned himself as a level-headed presence everyone respected, not to mention a complete powerhouse of raw force. Akihiko nods at his junior in approval. Minato somewhat smiles in reply, hanging blue hair in the way, then requests the presence of Junpei and Mitsuru in his execution crew.

The promotion of his close friend doesn't seem to sit well with Iori at first glance, especially once Mitsuru backs Minato's call immediately, but he grumbles and makes his way over to him, nonetheless. Better to smooth those creases now, while they still had time, than during a full moon encounter.

It's almost time to deploy so Akihiko gets up to join Minako and Yukari, conversing together animatedly near the teleporter, when a hand holds his shoulder. Face to face, blue and steel share a loaded glance.

"Sanada, you know what to do."

He nods, squeezes his arm firmly in return.

"You bet. Let her unloose, and we'll call it even."

His head twitched toward Mitsuru as he spoke. Twin smirks, a mutual clap on the back and they split to their own teams. They both have a role to fulfill tonight.

The exploration ends with no major damage and quite a few satisfied smiles. Despite his earlier misgivings, Junpei has respect and awe splattered all over his face while he glances at Mitsuru, who in turn is conversing in hushed tones with Minato like old friends. The tension in her shoulders looks mellowed and she has a cat-found-the-cream pleasant expression.

In his own trio, Takeba has been steadily improving her aim and speed, less bodies around meant an easier time to snipe in between them all. For once, she had been able to flex on offensive instead of playing medic. His own kit was versatile enough to cover multiple bases, so Akihiko had danced between offense and defense with Minako all night, providing her with numerous opportunities to unless spells and swing her weapon with glee for a change. Nothing ever came close to touch her, he kept his promises.

Shinji was slurping his ramen, eyes on the counter, not reacting to anything he has been telling him. Akihiko fell silent, expecting a grunt at some point. Somehow, yesterday's satisfying expedition had brought with it a pang of nostalgia for the good old days and companions of youth, so he had kept an eye open near the strip mall for his childhood friend and invited himself along.

The gruff teen next to him took a bite of his egg, mumbling.

"Moron."

Coming from anyone else, he would have punched him in the face right there and then. Shinji finishes the rest of his treat, smiling grimly.

"You just made the best elevator pitch ever as to why I don't need to come back. Seems you guys got everything covered already with those twins and new recruits around."

Akihiko sighs, this isn't how he expected things to go.

"We're more aggressive now, things have changed."

Another pause, another grumble.

"Not interested."

"Just… think about it Shinji. Don't let your power go to waste."

His friend laughs deprecatingly.

"My power ain't worth shit."

"Shinji!"

The brooding teenager eyes him carefully, as if looking to get the jump on him. Turning to the streets has made Agaraki more vicious and Akihiko, despite knowing him quite well, sometimes has a hard time anticipating his reactions. He tenses in frustration.

"I made up my mind a long time ago. I ain't going back."

Silver hair hanging down in defeat, he pushes out a shaking breath.

"You have to let the past go. What's done is done. It's time you moved on."

"Like you're one to talk."

Smirking ominously at him, he finishes his thoughts as he gets up.

"Trust me, you don't want me anywhere that little firebrand pixie of yours, for your own sake."

His mind blanks out at that statement. Before he can assemble a reply that is not composed of punches in the gut, Shinji is halfway out of the door, throwing a last jab his way.

"Hook, line, and sinker. Figure it out Aki."