It wasn't difficult to convince Sojiro to allow Ren to take a day off the following Thursday. In fact, convincing perhaps was the wrong word. Convincing implied negotiating was involved, which was not the case at all. Ren simply said that he had tentative plans and Sojiro told him to have fun.

Futaba, on the other hand, was a much harder sell. She quickly figured out where he was going, especially after he asked if she could keep an eye on Morgana for him. Although it was a school day for her, he argued that there would be little difficulty in her bringing the not-cat to lessons, as he managed it for the better part of a year without anyone noticing or caring. Eventually, she reluctantly agreed after he promised to take her shopping for character goods that weekend.

However, the hardest member to convince was Morgana himself. The poor not-cat didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to accompany Ren on his journey and Ren couldn't tell him that Akechi wouldn't approve of or appreciate his presence. Morgana argued that he could 'be quiet as a mouse' and that 'no one would notice he was there,' but Ren didn't want to risk it. He knew his friend wouldn't be able to keep his cool if he knew who Ren was spending time with. So, Ren tried to appeal to him that Futaba could use the support, and when that failed turned to bribing him with a promise of fatty tuna upon his return.

When Wednesday evening rolled around, he found himself counting down the minutes until the end of his last moment shift at Triple-Sevens. His coworker who normally covered the shift had called out with the flu, and Ren had no excuse not to take the extra hours– and extra cash, by extension. Between customers and restocking the shelves, he managed to send off the occasional text to his friends, though he had yet to receive one that day from Akechi.

Ren Amamiya 18:39

[We still on for tomorrow? If so, is there anything you want me to bring?]

He waited, but when no reply came, he went back to stocking the refrigerator case. It was when he was almost done refilling the canned coffees that he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Taking it out, he saw it was a message from his boss.

Hasegawa Mngr (3x7s) 18:56

[Evening, Amamiya-kun. Thanks again for helping out today. Sorry to ask, but think you can cover tomorrow too?]

Ren put down the canned coffee he had been holding, to free up both of his hands. While he normally would have jumped at the chance for a few extra hours, he had been really looking forward to visiting Akechi.

He left the message on read.

Ren then sent another text to his former rival. He decided to give Akechi until the end of his shift and if he still hadn't heard from him then, he would take it as a sign that their plans were canceled.

Five minutes before he was due to clock out, he received another text.

Azuma Takanashi 20:55

[Apologies for not responding earlier. Unfortunately today has been quite trying, to put it mildly. I just woke up from a nap and noticed your messages.]

Ren Amamiya 20:56

[It's fine. You ok?]

Azuma Takanashi 20:56

[I'll survive. The headache's mostly cleared up.]

Ren Amamiya 20:57

[Oh shit. Need to reschedule tomorrow? You shouldn't push yourself if you're not feeling so well.]

Azuma Takanashi 20:59

[That won't be necessary. But thank you. Unless you need to reschedule for some reason?]

Ren's coworker, a tall high schooler with mousy brown hair, tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the clock. His shift was done, so he nodded and made his way to the back room to take off his apron and to change into his street clothes.

Ren Amamiya 20:05

[I'm okay to swing by if you're sure you're feeling up to it. And you still haven't answered my question.]

Once he was ready to go, he replied to his Manager's message.

Azuma Takanashi 20:08

[I will see you tomorrow then. You need only bring yourself.]

Then, as Ren was waiting for the train home, he received another message.

Azuma Takanashi 20:17

[I need to take care of a few things, so I might not be available to chat this evening. Do try and have a good night.]

Ren chucked to himself. Coming from Akechi, that last message was downright warm and cuddly. He half wished he could tell someone. In response, he sent an emoji and made his way home.

The next morning, Ren woke a little earlier than usual. He didn't get out of bed right away, instead spending ten minutes staring at the ceiling. Morgana had already left with Futaba, so the room was quiet and just a tab bit chilly. Morgana gave off heat like a miniature furnace, so Ren rarely bothered turning on the heater at night.

He stretched and grabbed his phone off the charger. He checked for messages– there were none– and started to get ready for the day. After finishing up his morning routine, he returned to his room to pick out his clothes and grab his bag. He ended up deciding on a heavy blue pullover and jeans, along with his usual winter coat. He also grabbed his charger and threw it in his bag just in case.

Thinking, he looked around his room to see if he was missing anything. He racked his brain on if there was anything else he needed when a thought came to him.

He slipped into the kitchen and found the old thermos he used to bring whenever his team ventured into Mementos. It was in a cabinet over the sink, behind several mugs, one of which read World's Best Dad. He took it and washed it in the sink just to be safe.

Two and a half hours later, he was getting off a train at Toda Koen and following his phone's GPS to Akechi's apartment.

Ren Amamiya 11:26

[Bit early but I'm here. Should I wait downstairs or come up?]

Azuma Takanashi 11:27

[I'll leave the door unlocked. No need to wait outside in the cold.]

He took the stairs two at a time until he was on the third floor. He knocked on the door before opening it, "Hey, I'm coming in."

He slipped in, shutting it behind himself and redoing the lock. He took off his shoes and hung his coat on a hook near the door. Apparently, Akechi liked his apartment on the warm side, so Ren rolled up his sleeves.

"I assume you remember where things are. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be done in a moment," Akechi's voice came from the wet rooms.

Ren nodded before he remembered that Akechi couldn't see it. "I brought a little something. Where do you keep your cups?"

"You didn't…" he sighed, "In the cabinet under the stove. Right side."

Ren gave his thanks and squatted down to look in the cabinet. Right where he said they would be, Ren found two mugs– one a faded Featherman Neo design and one white with a simple beige and orange geometric design. Taking them out, he brought them and the thermos into the living room. While he waited, he poured some of the contents into each cup.

A minute later, Akechi came out of the kitchen, dressed in a comfortable looking brown sweater and black jeans. "Sorry about that, I woke up later than intended and… is that coffee?"

Ren nodded and swept a hand over the cups. The geometric cup was placed close to where Ren sat on the Sofa-bed, leaving the Featherman one free for Akechi. "I made it this morning. It's the house bend, literally. Thought you might like some because it's been a while."

Akechi looked taken aback for a few seconds. He looked at the thermos, to the cup, and finally to Ren. He blinked twice and sat down. He took his cup, but instead of drinking it, held it in his lap. Slowly, his left arm raised enough to rest on his thigh, the fingers of his hand just touching the warm ceramic.

"You can use it," Ren muttered, amazed. Instantly, he realized how that sounded and rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, I mean… sorry."

"Don't be," Akechi said simply, looking at the coffee on his cup. "The doctors said that I'll never regain full function in that arm because I waited too long to have it looked at. But with time and physical therapy, I should get some use out of it."

"Does it hurt?"

"Everyday."

The two stared at their respective cups in silence. Ren was the first to drink from his.

"Akechi, I'm–"

"Don't you dare apologize. You didn't do this to me. My own poor choices did." Akechi scowled.

"Still. I wish there was something I could do," Ren replied. He drank more of his coffee.

"You know, I didn't invite you here for a pity party. I can do that much on my own."

"I know," Ren finished his coffee and went to pour more. "Aren't you going to drink that?"

Akechi gave him a tight smile, raised his cup and took a tiny sip. His eyebrow twitched and he brought the cup back down again. The action would have normally been hidden behind the curtain of his hair, but with the new style it was much easier to spot. That, or he stopped caring.

Ren let out a small gasp as a thought hit him, "You don't like coffee?"

"I… do not," Akechi sounded apologetic. "It made for an easy in when I was investigating you and the Phantom Thieves. Once I found out that you were living in an attic about a coffee shop, it was only natural I should visit and integrate myself there."

"So, it was all part of the lie," Ren muttered. Part of him wondered what else had been in service of Akechi's grand plan, but honestly, he found that a bigger part of him didn't want to know.

He was right, I really don't know him.

"I'm afraid so," Akechi replied, putting the rapidly cooling cup on to the table. "Though I'll admit that it's grown on me somewhat. At first, I could barely stomach the stuff. Made it incredibly difficult to put on a pleasant facade while having to choke down cup after cup of it. However, Sakura-san's is definitely more tolerable than most. Don't get me started on the tar they served at the police station."

"I… don't know what to say to that. You had me fooled."

"That was the goal."

"Next you're gonna tell me you don't actually like jazz or going to the aquarium or playing darts," Ren joked weakly. At least, he hoped he was joking.

"As if. I may no longer be able to play pool, I can still beat you at darts no issue."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Let's test that theory then. Where's the nearest dart board?" Ren quickly finished off his coffee and made to close up the thermos.

Akechi stood up and pulled out his coat from the closet. It was a long sleek black coat. After that he pulled out a cream colored neck warmer. "As fun as that sounds, we do have other plans."

"You never said what we're doing today." Ren said, getting up and gathering the cups and thermos to bring into the kitchen.

"No, I did not." Akechi said over his shoulder, with a smirk. He brought his things into the kitchen as if expecting Ren to follow, which he did.

Fifteen minutes later, the two were walking down the street side by side, and Ren still had no idea where they were going. He simply followed Akechi as he weaved his way through side streets, over a pedestrian bridge, and along a small river that ran through town. The older man didn't even look at his phone for directions. His sense of navigation was impressive and Ren was reminded of the time it had been only him and Akechi in the Metaverse, before the others had come to their senses. Then he remembered that the man he had fought alongside was not the same man walking beside him now. Though, they did share a lot of the same qualities.

"It's not much further now," Akechi said, leading Ren through a busier part of town. There were shops to their right and left, along with a handful of eateries, a post office, and a few office buildings. If Ren had to guess, they had to have been in what constituted downtown.

"Where are we headed anyway?" Ren hurried to keep pace as they crossed the street

"I pass this place whenever I have a doctor's visit. Been meaning to try it for a while."

"That still doesn't tell me where we're going."

Akechi slowed his pace and pointed ahead of him.

The green space– Ren wasn't sure if it was big enough to qualify as a park– was fit snugly between two five story office buildings. There were a handful of trees, along with a nice smattering of bushes and raised, but empty, flower beds. In the center was a food truck and a few tables with wrought iron chairs. In other places, there were a couple of benches set under the trees. However, as it was mid-January, the branches were barren, save for winding strings of faerie lights.

"This place must look amazing at night," Ren commented, looking around.

He followed Akechi to the food truck and together they looked over the menu.

"While it isn't overly cold today, I think I'd prefer something hot," Akechi said, looking at the long list of teas on offer. He stood with his weight on one foot, hip cocked. Ren thought he definitely would have had his left hand to his chin, if his shoulder allowed it.

"Same. That hot chocolate is looking pretty good." Ren pointed at the picture tacked onto the board. Next to it were a few other pictures taken on polaroid film, laminated, and tacked with colorful pins.

Akechi leaned in closer to Ren to look, "I didn't take you for a lover of sweets. Had you pegged as the savory type."

"I don't eat them all the time, unlike some people," he teased, moving to bump into Akechi's shoulder before he thought better of it. It left him incredibly close to the older man, so he shifted to take a step backwards, letting Akechi get a better look at the menu board. If Akechi thought it weird, or even noticed at all, he said nothing about it.

"I told you and Yoshizawa-san before, that was simply to maintain a certain image. I don't actually put much care or effort into what I eat." Akechi moved to the counter to order, "I'll have one citrus honey tea and a hot chocolate, please."

"Certainly." The man in the truck nodded and wrote the order on a scrap of receipt paper. He was a hefty man in his fifties, if Ren had to guess. Over his puffer jacket, we wore a bright pastel yellow apron. "To stay or to go?"

Ren fished his wallet out of his pocket, but Akechi waved him off. "To stay. Also, is it alright if I take one of these?"

Akechi motioned to a small stack of business cards with the stall's social media information.

"Of course. Take as many as you want," the man replied. "The total comes to eight hundred sixty yen."

Akechi placed a thousand yen bill into the small plastic tray next to the register. When Ren tried again to give him his half, Akechi muttered, "Don't worry about it. I invited you, so it's my treat."

Ren put his wallet away, determined to pay next time.

In no time at all, their drinks were ready and the two were sitting at one of the tables. Thankfully, since the sun was at its zenith, it wasn't overly cold. The hot drinks, served in paper cups, warmed their hands. Ren slowly rotated his between his palms, letting the heat soak into the joints and muscles.

Maybe we should offer this sort of service at Leblanc. I wonder if we could set up a table or two outside in the warmer months.

He was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of Akechi putting his drink down and letting his hand fall against the plastic tabletop. Looking over, Akechi didn't look angry, just a little tired. Focusing on Akechi's hand, a question slipped out before he could stop it, "Why did you stop wearing gloves?"

Akechi looked at him a second, blinked, and then shrugged. "They're hard to put on or take off when one of your hands won't cooperate."

Ren winced, apology on the tip of his tongue.

"Besides, why would I? I don't exactly have to worry about hiding evidence anymore," he smirked. "Shido was the one who insisted I wear them to begin with. I argued that with the nature of my… job, they were unnecessary, but you've seen how paranoid he could be. When he wasn't too busy being an overly-cocksure prick."

I missed this Akechi.

"Makes sense," Ren took a sip of his drink. "You know, I still have that one you threw at me."

Akechi's hand– the same one that had once worn said glove– stopped just before picking up his drink. Ren glanced at his face to see surprise written clearly across it. The two made eye contact for a second and Akechi shook himself out of his stupor. He brought his cup up to his lips and took a long drink from it. If Ren didn't know better, he'd say the older man was hiding behind it. But Akechi wasn't one to hide from things… right?

"I mean, I don't have it on me right now," Ren added.

"I should hope not," Akechi brought the cup away from his face, which had started to pinken, either due to the chilly air or the hot drink. For the next few minutes, he continued to sip his drink quietly while his eyes took in the surroundings, looking everywhere but where Ren was sitting.

With a sight huff, Ren turned his focus back onto his hot chocolate. It was the perfect blend of cocoa and milk. He had been worried for a second that it might be too sweet, but he was pleasantly surprised. He wondered if he could convince Sojiro to add it to the menu during the winter months. That thought led to what other beverages might be good additions, thinking about people who like Akechi weren't big fans of coffee based drinks, and how he might float the idea by Leblanc's owner… though another thought flashed across his mind.

If and when I take over, I can add whatever I want.

Of course, he'd still get Sojiro's input– and probably Futaba's too, if he was being honest. But the idea had some merit, since it might attract more customers or at least a wider array of them. He made a mental note to bring up the ideas after he got home.

He looked up to see Akechi studying him from across the table, chin in hand and elbow on the table. "You seemed to be in deep thought. What about, I wonder."

Ren felt his face heat up and said the first thing that came to mind, "If we were to add tea to the Leblanc menu, which ones would you recommend?"

"That… was not what I was expecting," Akechi said slowly.

"Sorry, forget it."

"No, no," Akechi sat back in his chair and stared up at the sky. "The idea has merit. Well, if you are looking for my opinion, I would recommend…"

And that is how Ren learned about the most popular blends of tea, along with how long to seep each one and their supposed medicinal properties. He listened as Akechi spoke at great length about which ones he found the most appealing and Ren just nodded along wishing he had thought to bring a notebook. But a few of the names stood out and he figured that he'd be able to remember them to look up again later. By the time the topic was exhausted, both of their drinks were empty, and the temperature was starting to drop slightly.

Ren stood from his chair and held a hand out to take Akechi's cup to throw in the bin near the food truck. After the trash had been thrown away, he followed Akechi out of the green space.

"Where to now?"

"If you are up to it, there's a shopping center not too far from here. It should be significantly warmer," Akechi suggested, rubbing his left arm with his right hand, bringing to mind an image of Ryuji massaging his bad knee during the colder months.

"That sounds great. You mentioned before that you walk through here on the way to the doctor's. Find any other cool places?" Ren asked as he followed Akechi once more.

"That's right. I'm currently doing physical therapy once a week on Mondays, Tuesdays if there's a holiday," Akechi answered. He rubbed at his arm again.

"Wait, I thought you said it was bi-weekly."

"Oh, that's for a different kind of… treatment." Akechi picked up the pace. They walked another few minutes before a large department store came into view. "To answer your other question, I've found a few restaurants and things. My appointments are usually in the morning, so I rarely have time to eat breakfast. Eating afterwards tends to be more convenient for me."

The two entered, removing their winter accessories and opening their coats. As Akechi had promised, it was much warmer inside, almost overly so. After a few more minutes, Ren had to take his coat off completely, carrying it over his arm until he noticed some coin lockers near the elevators.

"C'mon. Let's put our stuff in there," he said, walking to the lockers. He selected a mid-sized one, removed his wallet and phone from his coat, and shoved the rest of his things inside. Then he gestured for Akechi to do the same. Once everything was inside, Ren locked it and pocketed the key. "Where did you want to go first?"

"Bookstore?"

"Lead the way."

They spent the rest of the day exploring the shopping center. First stopping at the bookstore, then the arcade and food court for a late-lunch-early-dinner. Ren insisted that Akechi decide his meal first, claiming he couldn't decide what he wanted. When his former rival ordered, he added his own, and paid before Akechi could even take out his wallet. The scowl he received was truly impressive, but Akechi's mood evened out once he had some food in him. After both were full, they wandered through the shops, commenting on items as they went. With the exception of the two books Akechi bought and their meal, neither spent much money. Instead, they enjoyed each other's company until evening.

"What time do you need to be back?" Akechi asked while they strolled through a Hawaiian goods store.

Ren looked up from a scented candle that definitely did not smell anything like a beach and said, "So long as I make the last train, I should be fine."

"So, your classes start late tomorrow?"

Ren felt himself go ridged and was glad to see Akechi looking at a particularly ugly looking shirt. He gingerly put the candle down. "Nah, I've got a shift at Crossroads, but that doesn't start until nine."

"Remind me again, is that the bar or one of your other jobs?" Akechi lifted the fabric between his thumb and forefinger like it was contaminated. His face screwed up in displeasure and he let the shirt fall back down again.

"That's right. Lala likes to call me in whenever she thinks we might get a weekend rush. Since this weekend's a three-day-weekend, it's probably going to be busy. We're expecting a lot of newly-twenties." Ren elaborated, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Akechi nodded and continued looking around the shop, "That's why today worked better for you, then."

"Pretty much, though working at Crossroads is different from other jobs. I get to set my own hours. If I'm not available or if I don't want to do it for whatever reason, Lala has a few other people she can ask."

"That's good."

Akechi picked up an air freshener in the shape of a tree. It was a swirl of pinks, purples, and oranges. He sniffed it, gagged, and quickly put it down, causing Ren to laugh. It reminded him of Morgana, who had a habit of sniffing the strangest things despite claiming admittedly not to be a cat.

Hmph, A-cat-chi.

Clearing his throat, Akechi turned around and glared at Ren. "You also work at a convenience store, the cafe, and run occasional errands for Untouchable."

"Yep. Keeps me busy enough." Ren replied, stifling his giggles.

Shaking his head, Akechi leaned against the shelf and crossed one arm in front of himself. It was not in a self conscious way, but a way that implied he would have crossed both if he could. He tilted his head, keeping eye contact with Ren, "Which leads me to wonder, when do you have time for your school work?"

"What?"

Burgundy eyes narrowed and bored into Ren as he continued, "You never did mention what you're studying these days."