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fabrications )
Akira hadn't thought seeing him in person would affect him as much as it does. After all, he's had two months to mentally prepare himself for this moment.
And yet, the sight of Goro Akechi, alive and in the flesh, perfectly put-together and looking like he was made to sit under the studio lighting, makes him feel... some kind of way. Unsettled, for sure, knowing what he knows now. Then again, there's a part of him that hasn't stopped feeling unsettled since he first (well, perhaps first isn't accurate) jolted awake to find himself on the train to Yongen-Jaya again. In one piece. Not bleeding out on the ground with a megalomaniacal pseudo-god bearing down on him. And, most importantly, as the only one with any recollection of all they'd been through.
It doesn't take Akira long to come to the most logical conclusion: That somewhere along the line, he screwed up. Somehow, it hadn't been enough, and now he has an opportunity to fix it—which would be a lot easier if he were to have some notion of what, specifically, he needs to fix, or even if this is a one-time deal.
At first, he tries copying his previous motions as closely as possible. People always talk about their regrets like they would change them in a heartbeat, given the chance, but the thought of altering the timeline as he knows it is overwhelming. The more Akira steps away from his previous path, the less accurate his existing knowledge may become, the bigger the chance that he may miss something important from the first time around.
That reasoning goes out the window pretty quickly. Akira finds that he can't watch Shiho Suzui jump off that building again, can't go through hearing that agony in Ann's voice a second time when he can so easily prevent it. So he stops her. It's what the Phantom Thieves would do. And things change... but not in a way that affects the flow of events in any profound way. Ann still stumbles after them into the Metaverse and finds the conviction to awaken her persona, somehow. He's not sure how it works out, but it does. What Akira does know is that fate is what you make of it. If he believes in his teammates, they'll end up where they need to be.
But for all of that, he still wavers as they're leaving the recording area. Up until now, the decisions to change things have been easy. Akechi, on the other hand... where to start? Is it even salvageable? Akira's not certain, but when he thinks of their last meeting in Shido's palace, Akechi's remark about the possibility of them meeting a few years earlier, the sounds of gunshots echoing from the other side of the bulkhead—he can't not try. It's not years, but maybe this handful of months will be enough.
Akira lets Ann go ahead with a nod, sliding his hands into his pockets as he tries to maintain his usual casual demeanor. Any moment now...
And yet, the sight of Goro Akechi, alive and in the flesh, perfectly put-together and looking like he was made to sit under the studio lighting, makes him feel... some kind of way. Unsettled, for sure, knowing what he knows now. Then again, there's a part of him that hasn't stopped feeling unsettled since he first (well, perhaps first isn't accurate) jolted awake to find himself on the train to Yongen-Jaya again. In one piece. Not bleeding out on the ground with a megalomaniacal pseudo-god bearing down on him. And, most importantly, as the only one with any recollection of all they'd been through.
It doesn't take Akira long to come to the most logical conclusion: That somewhere along the line, he screwed up. Somehow, it hadn't been enough, and now he has an opportunity to fix it—which would be a lot easier if he were to have some notion of what, specifically, he needs to fix, or even if this is a one-time deal.
At first, he tries copying his previous motions as closely as possible. People always talk about their regrets like they would change them in a heartbeat, given the chance, but the thought of altering the timeline as he knows it is overwhelming. The more Akira steps away from his previous path, the less accurate his existing knowledge may become, the bigger the chance that he may miss something important from the first time around.
That reasoning goes out the window pretty quickly. Akira finds that he can't watch Shiho Suzui jump off that building again, can't go through hearing that agony in Ann's voice a second time when he can so easily prevent it. So he stops her. It's what the Phantom Thieves would do. And things change... but not in a way that affects the flow of events in any profound way. Ann still stumbles after them into the Metaverse and finds the conviction to awaken her persona, somehow. He's not sure how it works out, but it does. What Akira does know is that fate is what you make of it. If he believes in his teammates, they'll end up where they need to be.
But for all of that, he still wavers as they're leaving the recording area. Up until now, the decisions to change things have been easy. Akechi, on the other hand... where to start? Is it even salvageable? Akira's not certain, but when he thinks of their last meeting in Shido's palace, Akechi's remark about the possibility of them meeting a few years earlier, the sounds of gunshots echoing from the other side of the bulkhead—he can't not try. It's not years, but maybe this handful of months will be enough.
Akira lets Ann go ahead with a nod, sliding his hands into his pockets as he tries to maintain his usual casual demeanor. Any moment now...

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His expression turns a little pensive then. He's thought about it sometimes, why he can hold multiple Personas when no one else can. Akira once wondered if maybe it's that his sense of identity isn't as strong as everyone else's——always different things to different people. Now he thinks it might just be another part of his 'fate,' another tool to use to his advantage in the game.
It's not until he's revealing all of this and learning about Akechi in turn that he realizes exactly how much help he's received throughout his journey. Morgana, the Velvet Room, his teammates and all of the other bonds he's formed. If he'd been just dropped into this, alone and with no explanation, Akira can't imagine that he would've come out as proficient and capable as Akechi.
"It must've been tough," he speaks up, thoughtful. "All this time I thought you must've gotten some help, too. But you figured it all out on your own, didn't you?"
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Akira's next comment inspires a strange blend of emotions in Akechi. On one hand it's nice to be praised, especially by someone that he regards with the complicated mix of admiration and resentful jealousy that Akira has earned. On the other hand, it's hard to think of his actions as being especially praiseworthy. The latter is an especially difficult thought to examine; he's always been so proud of how he's managed his power, but now he's less certain.
"I didn't have any other option." So he plays it off, sounding calm and bordering on blase. It's not totally dissimilar to the tone he uses when politely accepting compliments on talk shows. He sounds more serious and contemplative with his very next words, however. "I'm used to it, but... I've enjoyed exploring the Palaces and Mementos with all of you as well."
Akechi still can't swallow the idea of admitting that he prefers working teammates to flying solo. Saying that both methods have their merits, though... that's something he can manage.
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But he doesn't press it. The following comment sounds more genuine, and that brings a smile to Akira's face.
"It's been fun," he agrees. Even the first time around, despite the circumstances of their cooperation, fighting alongside Akechi felt natural. Akira is glad that they get to reprise that again, even if Shido's Palace isn't the most pleasant place for them to do so. "It's nice to know that someone has your back."
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Now it's hard to imagine going back, which is an even more disquieting thought when time travel or whatever it is that Akira went through is apparently possible. And even if it isn't...
"What happens after this?" It's been in the back of his mind for some time, but now it's all he can think about. "Once we've changed Shido's heart and confronted Yaldabaoth - what then?" He knows that Akira didn't get a chance to see past that part, that after a certain point they're equally blind as to what happens next, but surely he at least has an idea of what he wants to do.
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And as terrible as it would be to give up this way of life now when he feels like he's only just found his purpose in the grand scheme of things, it was an easy decision. Still is—maybe even more so now that he knows what Yaldabaoth has planned for humanity.
"So I guess… live a normal life," he says, and from the tone of Akira's voice it's obvious that he's not entirely sure how to go back to doing that. Instead, he shifts the question back over to Akechi. "What about you?" Has Akechi even thought about life after his grand plans to exact his revenge on Shido?
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"Complete my entrance exams, attend university, and work my way towards becoming a full fledged detective - though focusing on private investigations also has its appeal." It's something he's given a lot of thought, despite the fact that the future beyond Shido's planned downfall never quite felt real. "Though I never thought that the Metaverse might simply be gone one day." He'd seemed surprised when Akira first mentioned it, but now he sounds untroubled. It had only ever been a means to an end to him, one he was aiming to reprioritize as a last resort after his reputation was firmly established.
But even if it does stick around it's not like he'll have much use for it. Now that his plan of dangling his necessity over Shido's head has been abandoned (when did he get so comfortable with that decision?) he likely only would have used the Metaverse to continue working with the Phantom Thieves (and when did he get so comfortable with that decision?). Assuming he's able to do anything at all after this is done, of course.
"That was the idea, at least. Who knows what'll happen after we steal Shido's heart?" If Shido confesses, and if his confession sees the light of day, then plenty of other people are going down with him - Akechi included. It should be an extremely alarming thought, but Akechi finds it hard to get worked up about it. Maybe nearly dying messed up (or corrected) his priorities.
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Well, it's as Akechi says. There's no telling what will happen once they finish up their last job as the Phantom Thieves. He's still got another year of high school as well. Maybe something will strike him as suddenly as everything here started. "We'll see, once it's all said and done."
Hearing him talk about his goals does make Akira curious, though. "… Have you always wanted to be a detective?"
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"Not always. It was just a means to an end, at first." Admitting this is embarrassing, even to someone like Akira. "I only worked towards becoming a detective to get close to Shido. I didn't actually start enjoying it until recently." His selfish motivations have never bothered him before, but suddenly laying out how immediately he'd jumped into exploiting the Metaverse for his own sake feels strange, too. Like he's finally admitting he never had a chance of measuring up against Akira, and that his recent sincere investment in his work isn't enough to close the gap.
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To hear that he's started to feel differently, however, is more intriguing. Akira wonders how he felt about it when he asked for help on the case with Kawanabe.
"It'll be good if you get to keep doing it once we're done with Shido. It suits you." Much of his success may be fabricated, but there's no denying that Akechi has the brains and instincts for that sort of thing.
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"I'd like that - and it would be a shame to let my experience go to waste."
He's intending to leave it at that 'joke', but this conversation makes something else click into place. They'd discussed this once before, and Akechi had repeated his offer when they did - but at the time Akira either already believed that Akechi was about to betray him or (less likely, but still possible) would discover it shortly after. That makes Akechi think it's worth bringing it up again.
"I'm repeating myself, but I do still mean what I said after you helped me with the Kawanabe case." His expression is more serious now, though it's at least only solemn instead of concerned. "I'm in need of a trustworthy partner in the future. I know it's not a 'normal life', but I can't imagine a better candidate than you."
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So a mild sort of surprise blinks across his features, barely there, before he ducks his head slightly with a chuckle. "I think just about anything would feel normal after everything we've been through."
And another sudden realization, although this one isn't too shocking: Next to the idea of just staying and working at Leblanc, it's probably the most he's felt his heart tug towards such a suggestion. Funny—both of those were Akechi's ideas. Perhaps he's got a better idea of what Akira wants to do than Akira himself.
"You know, I think I'd like that," he continues, the warmth lingering in his tone as he pictures it. Helping people through the Metaverse may soon be off the table, but this would be another way to work towards righting the wrongs of society. And with Akechi at his side... "We make a good team."
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Hearing Akira agree to it despite everything - the things Akechi has done, the things he's said, the thoughts he's allowed to slip in heated moments - sends a spark of excited joy rushing through him, and it might be the most unfamiliar emotion he's felt in months. For once he doesn't get caught up in analyzing it or trying to box it up and set it aside. He just lets it happen, enjoying the warm feeling it sends washing over him and not even trying to stop the uncharacteristically sunny smile it inspires.
"I couldn't agree more." Like a switch being flipped, he suddenly no longer wants to return to his apartment. He wants to stay here, relaxing in Akira's presence on this rundown couch in his strange bedroom. The most childish part of him insists that 'forever' would be a good amount of time to stick around, but realistically he knows that even just a few hours would be alright. He has no idea how to address it, though, so he sidesteps it in favor of another not-quite-joke. "And it'll be nice to have an excuse to keep patronizing Leblanc."
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"You don't need an excuse to visit," he says, calling back to a much older conversation. "You're always welcome here." Even Sojiro had taken the news of Akechi's role in everything in stride. It might have surprised Akira if he weren't already aware of the soft, understanding heart hiding under the gruff exterior.
There's a pause before he adds, "Up here too. The past couple of days have been a lot of fun." Grievous wounds aside, of course. It would be nice to do this again under better circumstances, when he's not concerned for their safety and can simply enjoy Akechi's company.
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'Fun' isn't exactly the word Akechi would have used to describe the past few days, but once Akira says it he can't help but feel like it fits. It has been fun, when he's been conscious and not idly wondering if he's still at risk of dying.
"Perhaps we can attempt a repeat in a less stressful situation." If it's managed to be fun now, he can only imagine how much they'll enjoy it without the threat of death or discovery hanging over their heads. "Though I'll have to insist that you stay in your own bed next time."
Akechi idly reflects that it would be nice if they could both take the bed, but that's an urge he sharply reins in on. He's only recently started to realize that there's a non-platonic cherry on top of the complicated sundae of emotions he feels for Akira. There may never be a good time to voice thoughts like that out loud, so right now is definitely too early.
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"Nope," he denies easily, shaking his head. Akechi in his bed is a dangerous concept, one he's entertained before, though a gunshot wound isn't quite the scenario his imagination cooked up. Still, Akira is both a good host and incredibly stubborn, so he's not just going to give in on this one. At least not without a fight.
And he's always open to a little friendly competition with Akechi. "We'll have to put it to a chess game when the time comes. Loser takes the bed."
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"In that case, you could just tell me to take the couch." Akechi doesn't actually believe that, though. His expression is cheery and his tone is mild, but it's only a deliberate attempt to nettle Akira into giving him an even better fight than he normally would.
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It's the same playful posturing that he knows Akechi is doing. Even if Akira does have a reason to want to win, at the end of the day, the list of things he'd actually be a sore loser over is extremely short, and this is not on it. It's just more fun this way, with a little verbal poking to draw out each other's competitive sides.
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It's a little frustrating to have to throw out so much of the food he bought for Akira's initial sleepover, though.
But that's not something he dwells on. The next day he waits for Akira's message calling them together and shows up shortly afterwards. It's very, very strange to be in the same room as the Phantom Thieves, and even stranger to be considered a part of the group again. The whole situation leaves him feeling decidedly tense, and his tone is notably more even and somber than usual once it's his turn to speak. He doesn't hesitate, however. Akira may have most of the information they need, but Akechi is still more than willing to fill in any gaps in their knowledge - not to mention share his theories on what the Cognitive version of himself is capable of, the battery of skills he's been hiding from them so far, and how much he expects his injury to impede them (which isn't much.)
The initial trip back into Shido's Palace, as expected, almost immediately results in a confrontation with the Cognitive Akechi, though it's smarter this time and ambushes them in an area where they can be more easily cornered. To say the situation is tense and uncomfortable for Akechi is an extreme understatement, especially with how well that thing knows him and how easily it can lay out all of his missteps and insecurities. It's easier to deal with when he's not alone, though - and it would be a lie to say that 'killing' it doesn't make him feel some kind of positive way. Even so, he's very quiet for the rest of that day's excursion, and doesn't say much during the next group chat and pre-infiltration meeting.
While he still heavily favors Robin Hood when he's with the Phantom Thieves, Loki ends up being a better fit for more than a few situations. He eventually gets used to the altered ebb and flow of battle now that new tactics are on the table. He has no idea how different the mission is for Akira, now that things have changed; he can't bring himself to ask, but he hopes his presence has made it easier.
When the subject inevitably comes up, he can't give an adequate explanation for why he gets two outfits, beyond him not being able to imagine summoning Robin Hood with the outfit that 'belongs' to Loki, or vice versa. It's a slightly weird thing to think about, though, so he jumps right to participating in and encouraging the conversation when Ann and Yusuke get distracted debating what sort of new outfits Akira might have gotten if his clothes changed more than once, too. He's back to feeling like himself after that.
At one point, almost immediately after they've departed the Metaverse for the day, Akechi gets a call from Shido demanding that he start tying up loose ends immediately. When talking Shido down doesn't work and, in fact, only gets Akechi yelled at, he agrees to get to work, only to turn around and tell the other Phantom Thieves that their deadline has been shortened to just a few days.
But when it comes time to send the calling card Akechi (and everyone else, he can allow himself to acknowledge) instantly sees a slight problem: both he and Akechi will be painting a target on themselves. Akechi, never one for simple solutions, is already contemplating the risks of waiting out the storm in the Metaverse when Akira proposes something much more mundane. Akechi can't see why it wouldn't work, so he gathers a few things for his apartment, braces himself for the fact that the place is bound to be ransacked, and heads to the meeting spot without any complaints.
Even so, he can't believe he's actually about to spend the night in a manga cafe. Akechi gives the building an exasperated look, which he prompts slides towards Akira.
"Do we compete to decide who pays here, too?"
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While the subject matter they encounter is also no less heavy, at least the worst of it happens in the beginning, when the cognitive version of Akechi drops in on them. The Phantom Thieves have never relished in the violence they have to use in the Metaverse, but Akira feels a definite satisfaction seeing Shido's twisted interpretation of Akechi disperse into dark smoke once defeated. He's not sure Akechi will ever be able to fully let go of his past; still, it feels like one tiny step closer.
Once that's out of the way, the following infiltrations feel a bit lighter, a little more hopeful. Akira's original goal had been only to keep Akechi alive through this; watching him reintegrate with the group, no more lies to serve as barriers between them, does funny things to his emotions. It's impossible not to look to the future when he sees this, even though he knows his focus should be entirely on the current mission.
Still, they manage to complete the route to the treasure, pushing hard in the last stretch after Akechi informs them of Shido's whims. The calling card (and thus the news that Akira is very much alive) causes just as much of an uproar as before, and this time he knows to warn Sojiro beforehand about the impending company at Leblanc so that he can steer clear. As for he and Akechi, well…
"Don't give me that look. It's better than it sounds," he says with mild amusement once he catches the expression on his companion's face. "And it was my idea. I'll pay for it."
He knows Akechi would've chosen camping out in the Metaverse if left to his own devices. This is most surely the more comfortable option between the two, which isn't saying a whole lot, but at least they don't have to worry about danger. No one in their right mind would look for Goro Akechi in a manga café, anyway.
Still, he's plenty recognizable, so after they head inside and up the elevator, Akira handles the task of reserving and paying for an overnight space. Soon enough, they're tucked into their own little cubicle. It's… somewhat cramped with two people, sure, but comfortable enough otherwise. Akira sets his bag on the desk and is quietly grateful that he didn't allow Morgana to tag along with them despite his insistence. The walls of this thing would've been far too thin to muffle his constant meowing.
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He only does an okay job at that last part, though. He looks around with a good deal of interest as they make their way to their little cubicle, which doesn't fade as they step inside said cubicle and set their bags aside. It's definitely smaller than he expected, but it's not like Akechi is used to luxury. There's room to stretch out and room for them to lay side-by-side (another one of those weirdly exciting thoughts) without jostling each other. It'll be fine.
"I think I can see why someone could tolerate living here short-term." It's not great, but it's not as bad at Akechi was anticipating.
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"It's fine as long as you can handle the noise," he agrees, shrugging off his own jacket before taking a seat near one of the walls. There's a constant hum of activity around them, but Akira is thankfully a deep sleeper. He's not so sure about Akechi, and silently he wonders if he should've bought a pair of earplugs from the desk just in case. Well, he can always go grab some if necessary.
Sleep is still a ways off, though. It's still relatively early in the evening, and the feeling of just having sent off a calling card, not to mention this whole act of hiding away in an unfamiliar place with Akechi, has his mind thrumming with excitement. And speaking of the calling card…
A thought occurs to him. "Has he called yet?" Akira doesn't need to specify who. There's no doubt that Shido is going to be demanding answers from Akechi soon, if he hasn't already right before they met up.
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The question sends Akechi digging into his pocket and withdrawing his phone. He checks the screen briefly before holding it up for Akria to see, showing two missed calls and, ominously enough, one voicemail from an unlisted number.
"He must be furious." Akechi doesn't sound at all disturbed by the idea, though. His tone is calm and bordering on haughty. It's small, but it's nice to get under Shido's skin like this. "He's the sort of person that expects other people to pick up right away. Anyone who misses it has to call him back and hope he feels like answering." Akechi doesn't think he's ever even gotten a voice mail from him.
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It’s kind of funny, actually, but Akira manages to temper his amusement down to a glint in his eyes. Shido is still dangerous.
But only for one more night. By tomorrow evening, this part will all be behind them. "How are you feeling?" he asks, crossing his arms over his knees. This time, stealing Shido's heart feels even more significant—they'll be releasing Akechi from the last of his control, from years of being under his influence. Akira can't imagine what kind of emotions he must be experiencing right now.
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"Strange," is what he eventually replies with. "I always knew it would be ending soon, but not this soon - and not under these circumstances." He definitely didn't think he'd be spending the final night of their plan laying low in a manga cafe with a guy he has some extremely complicated feelings for. "I thought I would be excited or uneasy, but instead I'm just calm."
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"I thought I would be more worked up too. So that's good at least." Being crammed into a space like this would probably only magnify any feelings of unease.
Akira's tone takes on a humorous edge as he continues, "Well, it looks like we're getting an early start on our 'normal lives.' Want me to go grab you some manga?"
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