Summary: Your mind becomes fogged with the prospect of Goro claiming a permanent spot in your life again.
a/n: toxic relationships etc, wrote the events of the pancake scene a bit backwards (interview first, then pancakes instead of other way)
05 // 07
“So… You and Akechi?” Akira breaks the silence between you both. You sigh, because what are you meant to say? You don’t even know what is happening yourself.
You fall silent as you ponder, allowing the sound of your shoes crunching against fallen spring leaves to speak for you. Akira’s fine with the silence as he senses your internal qualms.
What do I say? I spent all afternoon with someone who is practically my ex boyfriend and actually had an okay time? The same guy who Morgana is apparently a bit iffy about because he’s an ‘ace detective’?
“It’s nothing… Don’t worry about it.” You decide on. Simple, plain, no further explanation needed. Akira nods, though his eyes trail over your deflated figure. He’s sure you don’t even realise how you walk with a fallen head, hands stuffed in your pockets picking at the loose threads with shoulder slumped as you kick at the ground aimlessly.
“You don’t have to feel bad about it. Even if Ryuji and Morgana don’t like the guy much.” Akira replies. You frown and glance at Akira, “Why is Morgana sketched out by Go-“ You cough. “Akechi.”
Akira rolls his shoulder back, sighing as they crack. He glances behind him before he begins, “When he came to LeBlanc he asked me about the Phantom Thieves. Specifically my opinion on their justification for changing people’s hearts.”
Akechi’s connected the dots already. That sly fox.
You nod and try to stomach the lump in your throat. Akechi was actively trying to come back into your life before the Phantom Thieves started but it was after Akira joined Shujin, but could it be purely coincidental?
“He is smart. I’ll give him that.” You try to be humorous but it falls flat. Akira nods though - sweetly. He lets you fall back into a silence as you approach the train station.
Akira silently guides you to your line, offering to come and ride with you but you decline. Kichijoji may be busy but the station is usually patrolled by guards due to the Jazz Bar and other adult entertainment venues being nearby.
“Thanks, Akira. I do owe you.” You smile. Akira shakes his head, eyes glistening under the bright lights of the underground station. A soft smile falls easily on his lips.
How can you smile so easily in your situation?
“Anytime.” He nods. Seeing him outside of his uniform is strange, but it helps you see him less as a helpless transfer student and a troubled young man. He brings a hand to back of his neck and rubs it anxiously. Your brows furrow.
“Uh, your lipgloss. It’s a bit smudged.” He mumbles.
Oh.
Your hand shoots to around your mouth. Akira’s eyes dart, “No.. The other side.” Your hands feel helplessly around your lips. A searing heat blooms in your cheeks as you fumble for your phone to find a reflection. Not only had Akechi blatantly made out with you at his front door where frosted glass makes it easy to guess what’s going on, he let you leave with your gloss smudged across your face like some sort of crude ‘Goro Akechi was here’ symbolism.
“It’s okay… I’ll get it.”
“N-No it’s fine! I just need a mirror-“
Akira’s thumb swipes under the plump of your lower lip. Your breath catches at the action, eyes locking with his own. His lips are parted as an anxious exhale passes through. The weight of his thumb on your face is heavy as his fingers lightly cup your chin to keep you in place as he does so.
Being so close, now you can really take in his features. Below the shaggy black curls and thick rim of his glasses are two, sparkling grey eyes that are bright with curiosity. His skin which you never paid attention to before is pale, but pale in the way that he lacks. You never noticed how the stress from his situation took a toll on his appearance. Similar to Akechi, his face is slim which highlights his tall cheekbones and fine jawline but it’s not from the natural process of ageing, instead you can tell it’s a loss from stress. Your eyes waver as you notice the small details.
“— Departing to Kichijoji is now boarding.” The stations tannoy buzzes and effectively cuts whatever moment is happening between you and the flustered boy. Akira isn’t even sure why he did that himself, but his thumb stills on your face.
“My train..” You mumble, hands frozen by your side. Akira retracts his hand.
“Sorry. See you tomorrow, [y/n].”
School flies by. There’s a sense of tranquility in the air that wasn’t there before. Maybe it’s because exam season is over and it’s like water off a ducks back and now everyone can relax - for the most part. At times you’re jealous of the English and American school periods as you would be off for summer break by now but no, the Japanese school system means you apparently have to be in school until July.
The rest of the month following the fateful night with Akechi left you a target for the growing public interest in Akechi. The few blurry images snapped by the girls inside Shujin leaked over social media and ended up on the Phantom Thieves request page. People pleaded to change Akechi’s heart. Make him fall out of love with the girl doomed to destroy his fame before he could ever fully grasp it. It was hard.
The teachers made it hard too. Kawakami was up your ass about the distractions in class, citing that you should be focusing on school and not celebrity boyfriends. Thankfully she let you off the hook when your good grades persisted. Likewise, Maruki took interest in you. He asked you to chat to him - give him insight on the thoughts of a regular Jane Doe dating a high status celebrity. Reduced to nothing but a guinea pig.
Otherwise, your time was spent wisely. The hardship put a spotlight on the importance to have a friend group to belong to and people to look forward to seeing after a gruelling day in school, away the scrutiny of other.
Your evenings started to become memorable. Like the time you and Ann got chased out of a store for getting distracted by the pretty clothes and staying past closing hours on accident. There was also the time when Akira and Ryuji battled to see who could finish the Big Bang Burger and Akira courageously won while Ryuji complained that he must’ve got food poisoning.
It’s… nice.
Even when you can’t join the group in the new universe they discovered, Mementos, you never feel left out. A part of you wishes you could see the world only available to them and you voiced that to the group. Yusuke humbly offered to paint it once he had free time.
Is this what belonging feels like?
There comes a day however, when the calm must come to an end. It’s when the radio station trip begins.
The morning is dreadful. You had to be at school by 7am to help set up with the teachers and other student council members. Makoto made it awkward by asking you once again if you know if Akechi will be there, to which you shrugged. You’re unsure if she saw the photos that were floating about of you and Akechi but you’re thankful she at least didn’t bring it up.
The only good thing is that you were the leader for your class, meaning that Ann and Akira were stuck to your side without suspicion. Their presence warded off the stares from jealous fangirls and nosey upperclassmen. Despite the anxious feeling coiling in your gut their presence kept the nausea at bay. Your hands clench around the clipboard of your classroom names that you’ve been kept in charge of keeping track of.
Isn’t this a teachers job…
“Hey. Are you feeling okay?” You blink. Ann has a manicured hand pressed firmly against your shoulder to try and ground you. You glance over at her face.
Is that what it looks like when someone is actually concerned about you?
“Yeah. Sorry.” Ann smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Your eyes flicker to the window beside her head. The TV station is in view.
Is it normal to have so much dread at the sight of a school field trip?
It blurs by as you exit the bus and round all of the pupils up. You stand by Kawakami as she goes by the basic rules and tells everyone to come to you if they’re lost. Great.
“We are happy to announce we will have a live interview from a real celebrity today! Hopefully we will be able to have a Q&A with him if the interview doesn’t run long.” One of the representatives explains to the crowd of Shujin students. You glance at Kawakami who seems as unimpressed as usual. The buzz of the curious students follows quickly after.
Soon enough you’re filed into the outside viewing area. You’re filed into the row just 3 away from the stage and seated at the end for whatever purpose the teachers deemed worthy. Probably because it’s easier to do their job for them from your position.
The interviewer sits in front of you and slightly positioned to the right. Someone from her team is powdering her as a final touch up before the cameras start rolling. The cameraman seems antsy or probably fed up with waiting as his feet tap anxiously against the ground.
You glance around the area.
A lot of executives are floating around with fingers pressed to the headsets sat snug against their ears. A few teachers are lingering by exits, seemingly ready for students to dart. You throw a look over your shoulder.
Makoto, who sits a few rows behind you, nods when you make eye contact. You smile back despite the guilt crawling in your throat.
At least there’s no sign of Akechi…
You throw a glance back at your row. Ann and Akira are a few seats over, unfortunately separated from you by the two students who seem to not want to budge. They said it’s something about getting a better view because the camera would be in the way but you’re sure it’s just because they can get a better view of the interviewers legs.
You bite back the scowl that threatens to form on your face thanks to the buzzing of your phone.
No reply from Ryuji isn’t surprising in the slightest because you know fair well that even if he says yes he probably won’t heed your request. You ensure to set your phone to vibrate with a flick of a button.
“The interview will start in 30 seconds. We request silence from the audience and for all mobile devices to be turned off immediately.” Someone calls from the tannoy system. A few dejected moans from students ring out but everyone follows despite the request.
The presenters makeup artist runs after one last pat of a powder puff, followed by other staff running swiftly from the stage. Someone fluffs up the guests pillow with 10 seconds left before fumbling across the pile of wires hidden from the camera view.
With her cue, the presenter begins. She explains her story and shouts out to the live audience, followed by a pan of an aerial camera. A few students cheer when they catch themselves on the screen displayed for the audience to look at if the view of the stage isn’t quite clear. You dip your head when it falls on your section, glancing at Akira and Ann who seem indifferent.
“We have a special guest joining us today. We’re honestly unsure how we got a hold of the busiest detective in Shibuya, but he has agreed to do a press meeting with us today! Please welcome, Goro Akechi!”
You have got to be kidding me.
You try to not rubberneck at your friends but Ann fails to look casual. While the crowd is full of hushed cheers and surprised gasps, it feels like the loudest thing in the room in Ann’s burning state into the side of your head.
What pisses you off the most is the cocky smirk on Akechi’s face. He loves it. He loves the cheers and the attention from the public. It’s what he abandoned your budding relationship for. Furthermore, you’re paralysed by the fear that is your photos with Akechi. Swallowed by the anxiousness that the interviewer will pry - try to get a juicy headline for the article print.
Is this what he wanted? A public slap in the face to you in front of your friends? He does this after creating a crack in the walls in around your heart and a tear in your private life that’s bleeding into the publics perception.
He blabbers on and mentions his career. He jokes about still studying hard for school and how others should wait to graduate before doing what he’s doing. Even though his a hypocrite the girls coo in desire for him. You feel sick when you hear the girls in front of you fawn so shamelessly for him.
A part of you fumes when he asks Akira about the Phantom Thieves. You don’t know if it’s the underlying cockiness of “I’m onto you” or the fact that you had to find out from Akira that Akechi has been visiting him multiple times at LeBlanc after specifically telling you to stay away from “Attic scum”.
Your couldn’t fully listen to the interview. Not after Akira and not after he stared straight at you with underlying intention swirling behind his hazel eyes. The fog that rests over your brain leaves you barely able to register that the interview is over and the students had been granted a lunch period. Your friends congregate around you, a multitude of expressions displayed across their faces.
“Is she broken?” Ryuji mumbles with a hand cupped over his chin. Ann rolls her eyes and shoves his shoulder hard enough for Ryuji to complain. Akira watches worriedly. You snap out of your daze.
“O-Oh. It’s over?” You feel hot under their stares. Ann nods, concerned but also slightly confused. You’re certain there’s still a whisper of a dazed expression on your face. Akira urges you to follow the group to a less public area to discuss the logistics of the stunt Akechi pulled.
It’s quickly derailed by Ryuji and Ann’s joint yearning for lunch. You decide to stay out of the argument and allow either to win. The marble pattern on the ground is far more interesting.
They bicker a bit. Honestly, it falls on deaf ears. Someone mentions pancakes - the savoury and sweet delicacy of breakfast and lunch combined. Your mind is too clouded with what Akechi’s real agenda was on the stage.
“Excuse me. I couldn’t help but notice your uniform. Are you Shujin students?” Great. A pompous and overly interested staff member probably wanting to get an inside scoop on Kamoshida. You scuff the ground with your shoes.
“Yeah. Whaddya want?” Ryuji replies bluntly. His tone is a little clipped but you grate it up to him being pissed that his argument with Ann is cut short. Ann steps back a little.
Your phone buzzes in your pocket. The interaction in the background fades as you notice the text is from Makoto. She requires you to meet her at the seats as one of the students from her dedicated area is missing. Internally you fear that she may chew you out for Akechi being here without you ‘knowing’ since she hasn’t had a chance to speak to you privately since the photo incident. You decide to meet her to clear your head a little and look useful to the council.
HI I’m just here to say I’m so utterly obsessed with coffee stains but like not even just that bc your writing is genuinely soo good in general it stands out from so many other stories and I’m so glad I found it😭 I’m so terrible with words but just know as long as I’m here you’ll always have someone who supports you !! Ily pls don’t get hit by a bus🫶🏻🫶🏻
thank you this is the sweetest message ever!! this community may be small but all the feedback i can get is what’s keeping me going. thank you so much.
i always try to think what would i actually do or say if i was in these situations and i absolutely hate y/n behind a pushover trope!!! i always want to make a strong reader :)
Summary: Spending time with Akechi is always a bit awkward. Revisiting old memories is worse.
Warnings: Swearing, stalking lowk, talk about figures idk
a/n: please let me know what you think about the texts
04 // 06
It was a crisp summer evening when Goro Akechi first told you he loves you.
His hair was a little shorter then, less maintained and a bit harsher around the edges. His cheeks still had a little baby fat on them, dimpling deeply around his lips as his smile actually met his eyes, gleaming under the bright lights from the summer attractions. His eyes are round, full of life and optimism with no signs of the dark circles that shadow under his long lashes today.
You remember the refreshing chill in the air that sent a shiver down your back, leaving you clutching at Akechi’s arm for warmth.
He laughs - actually laughs - boyishly charming as his hands fumble with the stuffed rilakkuma he spent that last of his money on desperately trying to get you. You had seen it in passing, cooing at how cute the little bear's face was as you walked past the stand.
“Goro… You really didn’t have to.” The smile on your face stretches wide. The familiar twinge of pain begins to build in your cheeks after spending all day with Akechi. Your cheeks ache as your smile settles to a soft grin.
He passes you the toy, gaze softening as you graciously examine the plush. He flushes as you pull him into a grateful hug, giggling softly as his cheeks redden from the attention of other festival-goers. He notices how the aunties and grandmas smile at him, teasing expressions from your excited act of PDA. The stand owner chuckles and tells Akechi silently that he did a good job.
“Oh, uh… No problem.” He fumbles with the correct words to use. You pull away, still flushed with excitement as your hand trails down his arm to grab his empty hand. His eyes flicker between your hand and face, heart beating rapidly inside his own chest. He barely hears what you say, too entranced by the way the fluorescent lights frame your face. He follows diligently as you drag him to a quieter area, one where the music becomes muffled and the screams of overly excited children become mute.
“Come. Sit!” Akechi blinks. You had dragged him to a bench just a few metres away from where the attractions stand. There’s a small lake just inches from the bench where the local wildlife congregate away from the public. He faintly hears the sound of water splashing against the loose rocks under the muffled music.
Akechi sits, watching as you turn your body to face him on the bench. He can’t help but smile lightly, "Thank you for coming with me.”
You laugh lightly, “You’re thanking me? I wouldn’t go here with anyone but you.”
Akechi flushes at that. You’re the only person that’s given him the time of day. The only person who actually tries to understand his nuance and layers of familiar issues that he hasn't yet even scraped the tip of the iceberg with you. You’re the only stability in his life. His only chance at hope.
“[y/n]… I.. I need to get something off my chest.” Akechi stutters. God, he feels like a fool. He can’t even look at you as he crumbles at the sight of your glittery eyes. Your hand finds purpose on top of his. He didn’t even realise he was balling the fabric of his jeans in his grip until you did so.
Earnestly, you reply, “Is everything okay?”
Akechi’s stomach knots. There’s a faint voice in his head telling him if he does this it will all end badly, that you’ll leave and laugh at him. He swallows back the doubt.
His hand grabs yours in a split second of confidence. You blink, watching Akechi. There’s a hesitant look on his face, as if he’s silently battling with his mind.
You exhale worriedly, a crease settling between your brows. Akechi’s mind spins as you speak, “Goro, are you really alrig—“
“I love you, [y/n].”
It was also a crisp summer night when you first kissed Goro Akechi.
Student council meetings are a pain in the ass. It’s almost a full two hours of being spoken at rather than to, the teachers barely taking anything in from the council members. Miss Kawakami tries her best but the tired bags under her eyes explain her lack of fight when the principal continues to stomp all over the council's ideas. The principal seems especially stressed about the television studio visit seeing as the school is about to be represented to the public completely unfiltered.
You didn’t miss the few strays about student council members' grades slipping. It’s embarrassing as you catch the pointed gaze of a few of your teachers. If only they were as understanding as they pretended to be.
“That concludes today’s meeting.” Principal Kobayakawa grumbles as he doesn’t bother to hide his distaste for today’s meeting. Everyone mumbles their thanks and the teachers take the lead to filter out of the room, complaining under their breath about the uselessness of the meeting. You let out a sigh of relief and gather your belongings.
“[l/n]-san, may I speak to you?” Your hand stills when you grab your bag. Makoto Niijima hovers above you with her perfectly kept uniform and neat bob. You nod, although silently dreading it inside. Makoto only seems to want things from you, whether it be to take work off of her shoulders or for you to do her bidding at times. You’re never forgetting the time she asked you to proof-read her manifesto and it took you so long the janitor had to kick you out before they locked the school up at night. Honestly, you began to avoid the persistent third year. It’s self preservation at this point.
But, you brave it to save face. Nodding with a smile, you slug the straps of your bag over your shoulder and follow her from the room. The hallways had long been emptied and the few stragglers were leaving their afterschool clubs with a newfound purpose.
“I wanted to ask about the trip. Were you able to speak to Akechi-kun?” She asks casually. You can’t help frowning at her question. This again? She looks at you with eagerness.
“No. Sorry. Akechi must’ve changed his number.” You lie through your teeth. You would maybe feel bad if Makoto wasn’t trying to use you to get into the good books of the principal and faculty members. It’s tiring.
Makoto pauses in her stride, the suspense of the clicks from her polished loafers creating a pregnant silence. You continue walking forward and begin to descend down the stairs. You glance back and find that she’s seemingly battling with the logistics of your answer in her head. Your phone buzzes in your pocket at that moment.
— Goro (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) ;
「 I’m waiting outside for you. Don’t want to cause a scene by keeping me waiting~ 」
sent 16:56
Your heart drops. What the hell is Akechi doing outside Shujin? Why does he have the comedic timing of an evil comedian? You glance behind you to see Makoto slowly moving forward.
Your feet move before you can really register it. You pass by a few leftover students who casually roam the halls with their eyes glued to their phones. You swallow back any fear that is attempting to consume you whole.
Someone chimes in, wish in you a farewell. You nod and wave, rounding each corner with more momentum. When you finally reach the bottom floor you’re met with the sound of excited chatter. A couple volleyball girls are huddled together with their phones angled towards the glass doors. One of the girls squeals excitedly, “Is that really Akechi-kun?”
You swear because, fuck! You really just told Makoto that you haven’t been able to contact Goro Akechi and here he is in all of his glory standing outside Shujin with a shit eating smirk on his face. You try to ignore the girls, especially when they pointedly whisper that it’s you rushing towards Akechi.
No one is ever gonna let me live this down…
“Isn’t that the girl that used to date Akechi-kun?” One murmurs, the other scoffs, “If she can date Akechi then anyone can!” Another chimes in softly, “I swear that’s [l/n] [y/n]. She’s in my class!”
You can’t slam the school door’s hard enough.
Akechi waves. He casually waves as if he’s not actively creating more drama for you at school.
I hate this man and his stupid ego.
“Are you stupid?” Akechi smiles when you greet him. He’s wearing tan slacks and a loose button down shirt. He’s seemingly ditched his usual white and black striped tie for a more casual look.
He chuckles warmly, a tinge of annoyance clipping his words “As charming as usual, dear.”
Fuelled by rage and a little less composure than usual, you grab Akechi’s forearm and pull him with you. He quickly falls into stride with you, not missing how you pull him towards the closest unpopulated alleyway. He sniggers, “You have a strange attraction towards alleyways.”
“Probably because it’s where the drain you crawled out from is.”
Honestly, he knew himself he was being stupid. Although it was mostly faculty members inside Shujin around this time he understood that many afterschool clubs ran and left a considerable amount of students in the area. He pretended not to notice the pictures that had been snapped of him when the fangirls thought he didn’t notice. You had been avoiding him since he ‘bumped’ into you at Madarame’s home 2 weeks ago and he’s never been one to wait for the pieces to fall into place. Especially when it comes to outside of work matters.
Akechi lets you drag him like a limp doll. He let you drag him into central Shibuya where people point and stare, questioning if the real Prince Detective is actually being dragged around by a girl in Shujin uniform.
“Your place or mine? I’m not letting you humiliate me in public anymore.” You ask, stopping outside the train station. There’s a sick waft of nostalgia engulfing the both of you when the buskers start singing.
The atmosphere inside Akechi’s apartment is different. Last time the visit was… rough. It was like you were flash banged with viscous whiplash of the memories you’ve stuffed back to the darkest parts of your brain.
This time the air was stuffy with unspoken tension. In retrospect it’s definitely a mistake to be anywhere private with Akechi. He’s calculating and you’ve definitely fell into some sort of trap he’s set up, whether psychological or emotional.
“I didn’t realise knowing me was embarrassing.” Akechi hums as he clicks his door closed behind you. He had to make a big show of opening the door and bowing dramatically to let you enter first - as a gentleman should - in Akechi’s words.
You puff and flick your shoes off a bit more dramatically than needed. A part of you wishes you walking through mud so you could trail it through his house but he would probably force you on your hands and knees to clean it with just a toothbrush.
“Stop acting like you’re not trying to make my life hard.”
Akechi hums softly. You try to ignore him as you shuffle your feet into the worn slippers that are still by his door. You try to focus on the task at hand rather than the little voices that are nagging at the back of your head, the angel on your shoulder is telling you to run but the devil tells you to stay, hear him out. How would you love to swat them both.
“You’re very quiet for being the person who showed up at my school—“ Your voice drifts off as you turn around. Akechi hovers over you, glowering down at you with dark eyes. Your breath hitches in your throat at the sight.
“You do all this complaining, but you’re the one making yourself at home in my apartment.” Akechi murmurs. God, he gives you whiplash. Your fingers twitch anxiously by your side as you battle for a response in your head.
He smirks condescendingly, “Do you really hate me the way you say you do or do you remember your way around each one of your ex’s houses?”
Your cheeks bloom with unbridled heat. Akechi knows you haven’t had any relationships outside of what you’ve had with him and to even refer to himself as your ex causes a blubbering mess to spill from your lips.
“W-We’re not even ex’s..” You stutter. Akechi laughs. Like actually laughs in your face.
“I suppose not.” He leans back, finally giving you space to breathe. He still towers over you with an unnerving confidence that causes anxiety to swirl in your stomach, “The media doesn’t know that though. Have you checked your phone recently?”
Fuck. The photos.
Your hands clap against your jacket pocket with lightning speed. You frown as they come empty, glancing around for your bag. Akechi clears his throat, adverting your attention from your phone. He shakes said device in his hand. You scowl, “I thought you were a detective, not a pickpocket.”
He pulls his hand back when you reach for your phone which causes you to fall off balance. The flimsy material of the worn down slippers fold in under the weight of your body and cause you to collide with the solid force of his chest. Akechi’s chest rumbles with laughter.
“Give it back!” You frown. Akechi hands you the device, but not before pouting at you mockingly when you snatch the phone from his hands. His now free hand flies to the top of your head to smooth down your hair as if you’re a toddler in a tantrum.
You hiss, batting his hand off of your head to open your messaging app.
You click off your phone with a sigh. Akira is too kind for his own good and he’s only going to get muddled up with Akechi’s romantic torment. It’s already bad enough that Akechi seemingly went out of his way to speak to Akira inside LeBlanc and brought up the Phantom Thieves to him.
Akechi is too smart for his own good.
“If you’re going to join me anytime soon, I made you a cup of peppermint tea. It’s usually more enjoyable when it’s warm.” Akechi calls. When did he leave? You reply to Akira’s text with a quick thumbs up and pander into Akechi’s livingroom.
It’s practically the same as a few weeks ago. There’s a couple new signs of life, seeing as he seemingly took your critiques seriously. He’s bought a few fake plants, some with longer vines to fill the spaces of empty corners and a few fake succulents lining his windowsills.
He could do with a few art pieces. Yusuke would love to work with this blank canvas.
“Are you done thinking of ways to critique my living space again?” Akechi muses as he walks back into the space. He’s holding his own cup of what seems to be black coffee. The smell, usually warm and comforting feels overwhelming.
Your eyes advert from his, “I could go on for days.”
“Funny.” Akechi pretends to be annoyed but he’s heard worse from you. He pretends he doesn’t remember the day you told him his apartment looks like a doctor’s office. He pretends he didn’t get rid of the pile of papers that made him look like he doesn’t have a social life. Not that it’s not much of a lie.
You settle on the ground next to the coffee table. Akechi already set two pillows on the ground so you can settle comfortably. You clear your throat awkwardly, “So why do you so desperately need to see me today?”
Akechi panders over, settling beside you. He sits just before the edge that separates your part of the table from his and the proximity is once again unsettling. You can do with the closeness in a public setting where the looks from onlookers prevent him from doing anything too crazy, but inside Akechi’s apartment away from the nosey eyes of other people… it’s different.
“It seems as if you’ve been avoiding me for a few weeks. Had to take matters into my own hands.” Akechi hums from behind the rim of his cup. You roll your eyes, pulling your knees up to your chest to hug them for some sort of comfort. Akechi blinks at the sight.
“You’ve never been patient.” You mumble, eyes darting. You’re begging for anything to take your attention so that you’re not forced to be so vulnerable and let your mind wander. The steam rising from your cup was only so distracting.
Akechi’s cup clunks against the coaster on his coffee table. You wince as your eyes dart back to watch how her slender fingers softly move the handle of the cup. He shifts, “You’d be surprised to know that patience is a very big factor of my job.”
“I’m surprised you’ve made it this far then.”
“You know, I did practice my patience. I’ve practiced it a lot when it’s came to you.” Akechi replies curtly. You build the gall to look back at him to find he’s already staring at you. In the time you’ve looked away he’s loosened the top button from his shirt and seemingly ran a hand through his styled hair. His eyes stare through you.
You shiver.
“It doesn’t feel like it.” You mumble dejectedly. Akechi studies the look on your face.
He notices how much you’ve grown into your features over the years. How plump your lips have gotten, the baby fat slowly slimming off the sides of your face and how you’ve found a style that suits your features. You’ve went from the cute teenage girl he spent the most innocent years of his life with to a beautiful young woman with a strong sense of self running away from him at the most divergent point of his life.
“I never stopped watching over you. All those months you thought I stopped caring, but I never stopped.” Akechi begins. There’s a strange twinge of truth laced into his words but the voice in your head nags at you. “All those times you went to our cafe in Kichijoji. Did you really think those drinks and snacks were on the house? What about when you spend hours studying and the barista would give you a pastry ‘on the house’ or a refill for ‘free’?”
“I never saw you.” You’re frozen but the reply slips out naturally. All the times you thought that the barista took pity on you after seeing how hard you were fighting back tears during peak exam season, was just because of Akechi? He saw you at your worst when your nose was buried into an overwhelming amount of paperwork and revision materials.
“You didn’t need to see me. I saw you.” Akechi replies honestly. Your heart swells.
Don’t fall for it.
You battle for the right words - because what do you even say to that? It’s probably the most romantic thing coming from the most aromantic person you’ve ever met.
Akechi senses your internal qualms and taps his finger against the table. Your eyes follow from his slender hands up to his face. He tilts his head, shaggy hair falling into his eyes as he motions at your cup. “Drink. Please. Before it gets cold.”
You nod. The cup is a little heavier in your hands than you remember but the taste is enough to send your mind flying back to when you both shared your first cup of tea together. The warmth against your lips grounds you back in the moment.
Suddenly a laugh stifles in your mouth. Akechi hums, hazel eyes drinking in your figure. Your legs are still pressed tightly to your chest but the tension in your shoulders has dropped, “You look like you’re going to laugh.”
“You don’t even like peppermint tea.” You state. It’s true, Akechi thinks the minty taste simply does not suit a warm drink. He once compared it to brushing your teeth with warm water citing that it just feels wrong.
“I kept it for you.” He nods, “Though it’s cute that you remember.”
“It’s hard not to remember when you almost spat it on me.” You refuse to acknowledge the heat on your cheeks. Akechi puffs out a laugh, “I was less distinguished at that time.”
“It was 1 year ago, Akechi.”
A lot changes in a year.
By the time you’re done with Akechi, the sun had long settled behind the Shibuya skyline buildings. A warm orange hue settles in the dark sky which casts a golden halo through Akechi’s livingroom windows.
“I should go now.” It’s awkward to untangle yourself from the blanket Akechi through over your legs when a chill settled in the room. He sits separate from you, yet close enough that his body heat seats into your side.
“Let me call you a taxi.” Akechi offers softly. You shake your head, “It’s fine. I can walk.”
“It’s not safe a night. Please, I can pay.”
Akechi offers so many times you just have to blurt that out that someone is waiting on you. Akechi’s eyebrow twitches, “Don’t tell me it’s that degenerate attic trash.”
You frown but chose to ignore the fight. You and Akechi managed to last the last 2 hours without fighting with each other and you plan to keep it that way.
“Can we not do this?” You mumble as you slip the house slippers off. Akechi watches silently from behind you, observing how you tiredly slip your worn school shoes on. You click your phone on and check for the confirmation text that Akira is walking from the train station towards Akechi’s apartment block.
“Answer when I text or call you.” Akechi commands. You nod, losing the effort to fight after chilling so comfortably on his sofa for the last few hours.
You’re no fool. You know he wants this, for you to slip back into old habits with him. He wants you to just forget about it all, how he abandoned you but you just can’t. He just wants company, someone to keep the other side of his bed warm when he comes home from work.
Selfishly tonight however, you caved to the nagging voice in the back of your head.
“And what if I’m busy? You show up to embarrass me again?” It’s asked with a slight tilt in your tone, offering a more humours approach rather than the usual edge that naturally enters your voice when you speak to him. He rolls his neck, bones cracking as he steps forward.
You attempt to ignore the nervous sweat that builds in your palms by slugging your bag on your shoulder, “I need to go.”
He nods, soft. A shaky sigh of relief exits your lips as you turn to face the taller man. He bends, face lowering to your level. You don’t know what to expect, a soft whisper or daring eye contact to make your legs buckle beneath you but instead his right hand grips your chin.
“W-What are you doing..”
He swoops without a second thought. Akechi uses the leverage he has on your chin to told your head upwards to give him a better angle to capture your lips with his own. A shriek of surprise tries to escape but is swallowed by the pressure of the heated kiss.
Your foot falls behind you, causing both you and Akechi to stumble back. Your back hits the door but your head is cushioned by his quick thinking movement to place his left hand behind your head. Your lips part for a quick moment, inhaling the air that was knocked from your lungs.
2087
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