@shinkaneweek, in celebration of the Liar Game anime coming out in a matter of months(!), a return to the Liar Game crossover AU.
Prompt: Confession
The dim atmosphere of the warehouse was not helping. Suspicion was reflected in the other contestants’ eyes, snapping towards any sudden movement. Kougami couldn’t blame them; although it was far from the worst case scenario, the current stalemate was also undesirable.
If this game continued as it was, Akane would lose.
She understood it too. While Sugo paced and Hinakawa nervously wrung his hands in the corner, she had taken the crate next to him. Her left wrist was slack, the device’s glassy surface out of her line of sight. The condition to pass this round, simulating a pandemic, was to obtain at least four ‘vaccines’ through contacting devices with another ‘immune’ participant. She’d given up her initial vaccine to save Sugo, and from their last check in the white booths, Kougami was well aware that her count was two.
“Kougami-san, it’ll be much more difficult for everyone to have enough vaccines.” As usual, she was thinking about the greater good.
He nodded to the cluster of six shadows at the other end. “Half are with Makishima, after all.”
Not that Makishima cared, eyes gleaming as he watched the other five scowl and argue with each other. They definitely had the remaining ‘infected’ person, so they were stuck trying to identify who it was. The last two had foregone any alliances, avoiding either group but without enough vaccines. Irie and Todoroki would be slated to lose unless they changed their minds.
Akane evenly said. “Well, that’s how it’s been in the previous rounds too. You and Makishima are the leaders of each side, those who want to take down the corporation and those who relish the games. To everyone still in the competition, you two are the faces of the Liar Game.”
He sighed. “What a pain…why?”
“It’s not surprising. Both of you are discerning, clever, and philosophical. In this void of fear and uncertainty, it’s like gravity. People can’t help being drawn in.”
“We’re that similar, huh?”
“But you have no desire to control people’s hearts. That’s the biggest difference between you and Makishima.”
He suppressed a snort. “I don’t think that’s what he wants.”
“Eh?”
“Keep viewing him with doubt and he’ll reveal more. You’ll find out what I mean. Especially, when you approach Irie and Todoroki again, pay attention to Makishima’s reaction.”
She pouted. “You were about to laugh just now. But he isn’t easy to understand. You’re the only one who can predict his next move.”
“Well, you held your own earlier, when you told his new allies how he backstabbed all those people in the contraband round.” That was a sight to behold; for once, he wanted to see the Liar Game Office’s camera footage, just to replay her confident speech. “And Hinakawa chose us because he believed in your motivation, to help everyone win. You’ve become stronger.” He meant it, wholeheartedly.
“A little, but I haven’t caught up yet.”
“Hey, don’t make Makishima your goal.”
She gave him a sidelong look, then broke into a smile. “Oh, I’m not. My goal is you.” Then, she walked off to speak to the two stragglers, and he was left to mull over her confession.
***
Kougami itched for a cigarette in the booth, in the silence of waiting for someone to knock. Nobody had confirmed their vaccine count during the stalemate, and that was their opportunity. All he had to do was trust his allies outside. That was the theme of this pandemic round, and it was an uncomfortable realization, given what he’d done to earn three years in prison. He had not trusted anyone in a long time, until a young woman in a red dress pleaded for his help at the beginning of this shadowy scheme.
Even now, she was the sole person he believed in. As much as he understood Makishima, it was Akane, and her hope in humanity, that would ultimately win the Liar Game. Whatever came next…
The knock finally came, and he played his part, extorting a couple hundred thousand out of Choe for a bonus. He emerged when he heard Akane’s voice, and he opened the door to find her beaming.
“Hinakawa-kun and I should have four vaccines each.”
“Good. Our plan worked.” Nevertheless, he lingered by the booth until she confirmed it was true. As she made sure everyone else had the count to pass, he stopped one of the masked arbiters and handed over the two checks Choe had written. “To Tsunemori Akane’s account.” It was far from alleviating the millions of her current debt, but every bit helped.
Minutes later, the lead arbiter declared. “This was actually a qualifying round. Congratulations, all twelve of you will proceed to the next game now!”
Somehow, he locked gazes with Makishima, who merely smirked. “The actual duel, then. I look forward to it, Kougami Shinya.”
“Ah. We’ll see how long you can use your allies for.” He shot back, and turned on his heel. Sugo joined his side, Hinakawa trailing after.
The latter winced at the bright sunlight, as the heavy metal door opened. “A-another game already?”
Sugo lifted his hand to shield his eyes. “And apparently, with another cohort of twelve. Tsunemori-san said you two had allies in that group?”
“Yes, but they didn’t qualify. I’m skeptical of why they’re being included in this next round.”
“I suppose we’ll find out.”
While they were shuffled to the bus for their vague destination, Kougami slowed his stride to match Akane’s. Her expression had been troubled since they heard the others hadn’t obtained enough vaccines. He clapped her shoulder and dryly remarked. “How is it only noon?”
Under his touch, she slightly relaxed. “I wonder if we’ll stop for lunch. Maybe, we’ll meet the others there.”
“If not, we can hijack the bus.” He grinned at her indignant call of his name. Why she wanted to aspire to him was a mystery, but he had his own intention, one he would never confess to her.
Whatever came next, no matter the cost to him, he would make sure she was saved.
We’ve kept you waiting long enough - the mods of In Plain Sight are so excited to announce a 2025 digital PSYCHO-PASS fan zine!
In Plain Sight: A Psycho Pass Zine was conceived a few months ago when our fellow fans chose In Vogue (Fashion) as the theme they were most interested in. Since then, the mod team has come together and realized that this theme might be too limiting for fic writers. After picking each other’s brains, we’ve decided to combine the elements of fashion with one of our favorite themes: undercover!
Going undercover is a necessary part of police work, and holo-disguises have been a staple in Psycho-Pass throughout the series. What better way to see our favorite characters not only dressed differently (fashionably or otherwise!), and for writers to do their magic and weave some amazing stories in between!
This project will take the form of an online release (via tumblr, twitter and AO3) on October 11, 2025 and will be consolidated into a digital zine that will be available for free download at the end of the month.
For more information, schedules, and submission guidelines and requirements, check out our carrd!
Keep your eyes on our SNS accounts for further communication and keep your hues clear until next check in~!
Honestly, if the first scene we get of Akane in Psycho Pass season 4 is her and Kogami waking up in bed together to respond to alerts from their respective bosses, I wouldn't even bat an eye.
I love when platonic love and romantic love is so blurred that it doesn’t even matter anymore. All that matters is the devotion that’s there, the unwavering devotion
I've actually had this account for a while but I've never posted anything, it's good to have had the courage to post for the first time, I hope I can keep up with the Psycho Pass fandom. I'm really a long-time fan of the franchise 😅
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