[01] | coffee stains
Summary: Life follows the way you want it. Mostly. Quiet, Akechi-less and with a surprising amount of new friends. At least, it is the way for a while.
Warnings: Usual p5r shenanigans, reader and akechi have a tension filled spat as usual ! apologies if some characters are introduced too early i.e. maruki but it will not affect the actual palace timeline
— 00 // 02
: ̗̀➛ BEGINNING OF THE END ᯓ★
04/23 — AFTERNOON
The school week moved rather slowly. Maybe it was due to the solemn cloud draped over Shujin after Shiho Suzui almost committed suicide because of Kamoshida. It was hard to remove the image from your head and the desperate wails of Ann as she followed her covered body into the back of the ambulance. Your hand hurt that day as you took notes for yourself and Ann, trying to alleviate other stressors for the girl that had made the start of your school year all the more bearable.
She was meant to join you today as you browsed the shops in Shibuya. You done this often, alone at that, but now that you have Ann it feels quite… lonely. The clothes aren’t as vibrant, the flowers not as fragrant and the people not as friendly. You chew on the paper tip of your straw, examining the box of chocolates in your hand.
Maybe Ann would like this…
“Hey! [y/n]!” You peer over your shoulder. Ryuji waves at you ecstatically with Akira by his side, a subtle smile curling at the corner of his lips. You hum, letting the straw fall from your lips as you greet them back softly.
“Getting chocolate?” Ryuji asks, settling beside you. You shake your head, explaining that they’re for Ann and he nods softly. Everyone has been awkward around Ann, acting as if she’s delicate and you know she hates it.
“Uh, what are you guys doing here anyway?” You ask, looking between the two. Your iced coffee is left abandoned in your grip as the condensation runs between your fingers. Ryuji shrugs his shoulder back casually.
“Gonna head to the palace. Are you coming?” Akira asks, peering down at you. It’s odd how far he’s come seeing as he looked like he was going to pee himself the first time you met him. You shake your head, “Better not. I’d drag you back, I don’t have your—“ You used your free hand to shake it dramatically, “magic powers as such.”
Ryuji laughs but agrees, “Morgana said the same thing. But don’t you think it’s weird? You gotta have something if you can transport in!”
Yeah and I have that app…
You never told the group. The day you saw the text from Akechi you also noticed the same app they all had on your phone too, but you didn’t want to get into it. Actually, you preferred to forget it after you seen what could only be described as an acid trip of flying electric and fire coming from your friends’ hands.
“Be safe though, guys. Get that bastard for all of us!” You cheer them on, politely excusing yourself to buy the chocolate. They mumble goodbyes and thank yous, stepping out of the convenience store.
Following suit shortly after with your new present for Ann tucked securely in your bag, you ponder. It’s a free day, Saturday, and there’s much ahead of you. Maybe some late lunch at one of the many diners in Shibuya or you could travel again to Kichijoji for food. Ann was busy visiting Shiho in the hospital and was most likely joining Ryuji and Akira to explore the palace.
04/28 — SCHOOL
“We found the treasure!” Ann announces cheerily, taking a bite of her vending machine onigiri. You hum, looking up from your portion of cafeteria rice. Ryuji explains it all so excitedly and it almost makes you jealous. Almost. But you know you couldn’t do much without any ‘magic’ yourself. You wonder what type of magic you could harbour though.
“Yeah. And it’s all thanks to me!” Oh yeah, Akira’s mutant cat could talk. You tried to forget about that too and how the freakishly big, funko-pop looking cat from the so called ‘metaverse’ also exists as a cat in your reality. You try also not to think too hard about the fact it can talk because you’re sure you’d need to take some counselling from Maruki if you thought too hard about it.
Ryuji and Morgana like to squabble a lot. So yeah, another reason you’re glad you don’t go.
“Wow. So you think Kamoshida is really gonna change if you take the treasure?” You ask as you set your chopsticks down. Akira nods confidently, alongside Ann and Ryuji. Morgana cheers out something encouraging.
“He has to!” Ann replies, settling down on the bench beside you. Ryuji cheers, “We’re gonna take that bastard down!”
“Be quiet, stupid!” Ann shouts back — probably louder. You laugh softly, looking at Akira. He passes a bit of rice to Morgana who takes it happily.
You sigh, “As much as I wish I had magic like you guys, please be careful. You never know what could happen in there.”
Morgana mewls, putting his paws on Akira’s shoulders to look at you better, “I can sense power in your [y/n]! You just have to unlock it!”
You laugh, “Yeah, sure, Morgana. I think being able to hear a talking cat is a power.” Morgana simply grumbles.
04/28 — EVENING
You ran out of groceries, unfortunately. You don’t particularly recall the last time you went shopping so it sort of checks out. Maybe having school take up all the space in your brain isn’t too good.
Plus you can’t keep eating your struggle meal of rice and soy sauce for much longer.
If you hadn’t spent your time after school checking out the nearby shops with Ann you maybe could’ve travelled into Shibuya for some groceries because you sure as Hell are not paying the price in your local convenience store for a bag of rice. So, now you’re stuck, standing in line for one of the many food stalls around Kichijoji.
The cool air had slowly settled over the last few weeks and thankfully, it didn’t nip at your ears and nose anymore. However, you still did bask in the heat of the stall and the packaging of the bao bun once it was placed in your hand.
Thank you, multiculturalism.
“I almost thought something happened to you.” You almost choke. Of course, the second one of the most appetising thing you’ve seen in days lands in your hands, he has to show up. You don’t bother to glance his way, preferring to angrily chew the chewy texture of your food.
“Cold shoulder in real life too, huh?” Akechi hums, shifting his suitcase between his gloved hands. A frustrated pout presents itself on your lips as you swallowed, finally turning to face Akechi. He must’ve finished work and was heading home — thankfully not stalking you.
Probably still was…
“For being a detective you really can’t pick up social queues. Do I need to leave crime scene tape around it or…?” You bite. Akechi’s brows raise, amused.
He rolls his shoulders back, maintaining his poise. Thank God for the public, you suppose.
“Well, I was going to spend some time in Jazz Jin. Do you want to join me?” You almost bark out a laugh at his proposal. Has Akechi went insane? A soft laugh — almost passable for an exhale, passes your lips. You turn your attention to your food, pinching a bite full of meal and vegetable to bring to your lips. Akechi watches silently.
“You’re funny.” You plop the food in your mouth, rounding Akechi with nothing more than a mere glance.
You continue eating. You paid enough for it and you’re going to enjoy it before Akechi can put a bitter taste on your mouth.
“Please.” Akechi calls, “I want to talk. Really.”
You pause, ignoring how someone behind you barges into your shoulder. The crowd splits around you and Akechi.
“About what?” You ask. Akechi shifts uncomfortably, “I’d rather explain inside. Away from public ears.”
That’s how you end up in Jazz Jin with a shitty mocktail placed in front of you. It’s almost mocking you, beaming with swirling bright colours. The mini umbrella hangs just over the edge, teetering on falling. Just like you.
“I remember you liked this one. I hope you don’t mind me ordering it for you.” Akechi places his own drink down. It’s blue, an ombré of deep blue all the way to pale blue. You’re pretty sure there’s edible glitter in there too. It’s laughable.
“I’m surprised you remember anything about me.” You retort as you bite back the urge to take a sip. Your mouth almost waters as you imagine the sweet, fruity taste.
“You know I have good memory.” Akechi is less than humble with his reply.
“Apparently not when it comes to me.” You grab your drink, clutching the straw with your other hand. “You seek to forget about me often. It’s been what… three times now?”
Pride settles in your chest, replacing the ball of anxiety that was anchored to your stomach. You made Akechi uncomfortable and with his own actions. Maybe coming here was good for you.
“I—“ Akechi starts, paused by the sound of your phone vibrating. You glance at the screen, seeing a text from your new friends.
— Ann <3 ;
「 Wanna meet at the station tomorrow morning? I think your train runs through my line too! 」
sent 20:37
Another from Akira buzzes in a few seconds later, causing Akechi to glance at your screen.
— Akira-kun ;
「 Mona wants to talk to you sometime. Do you want to come to Leblanc tomorrow? 」
sent 20:38
“You’re popular.” Akechi hums, clearly irritated by being interrupted. A part of your is satisfied but you make a mental note to reply to your friends when you get home.
“Anyway. I was saying that it was wrong of me to not talk to you, but I was busy with detective work and school work. My manager thinks I may have my break soon.” Akechi begins. You try not to roll your eyes at his attempt to make you feel pity for him.
“I want to secure my place in the precinct before I throw my all into others. Like you.” You sigh, shifting in your chair. Frankly, you’re uncomfortable. For as long as you can remember, you’ve always hated conversations like these. Confrontation of sorts, mostly.
“What happens when you are successful. When things pile up? I’m discarded again?” You spew out your thought, ignoring how you drink shifts dangerously on your grip.
“It won’t.” Akechi replies, a strange confidence flickering in his eyes.
“It’s hard to believe you.” You finally take a sip of your drink, savouring the sweet, tangy flavour. At least you got something good out of this.
04/29 — AFTERNOON
Shibuya was quiet. It’s Sunday after all and most residents of the high streets spent their day nursing hangovers or attempting to hide in the shadows as they rejuvenate. Even the hosts are seemingly tired, barely bothering to call people into their shady bars. It’s nice though.
Akira sent you his address yesterday night with explicit directions on what alleys to turn into. You assured him that you’re fine and with the power of Google Maps, you could make it anywhere.
But surely this isn’t Leblanc?
It’s a… humble shop. Stuck in an alleyway facing bathhouse/laundromat with crumbling walls and an exterior that definitely doesn’t meet public standards, the barely eligible sign dangles poorly above the doorway. You can just about see into the shop, spotting someone behind the barista bar.
“Welcome.” A deep voice greets you as you push the door open. Your hesitancy caused it to squeak, and you mumble out a reply as you slowly close it behind you. If the door didn’t alert Akira of your presence, you’re sure the noisy bell did.
“You must be one of Akira’s friends, I’ll call him down for you.” The hunched man explains warmly, a pleasant smile resting on his wrinkled face. You thank him quietly, preferring to wait idly beside the seating stools.
Akira only takes a few moments to appear with his bag clutched on his shoulder. Morgana peeks out of it as usual, mewling as he spots you. You smile, watching as the shop owner whispers something to Akira.
“I’ll leave the shop to you, kid. Have fun.” He takes his leave, nodding at you as he walks past. You reply politely, eyes resting on Akira.
He surprisingly dresses quite well. You honestly expected him to wear horrible graphic shirts that are on par with what you have seen Ryuji wear.
“You wanted to see me, Mona?” You ask the black cat who saunters across the wooden bar to perch beside you. He purrs as you run your hands through his short, silky hair. His tail wraps around your wrist, causing you to smile.
Akira walks behind the bar, “Would you like coffee?”
“Oh, yes please. Can you make lattes?” You ask as you pet Morgana softly.
Akira nods, beginning his work.
“Lady [y/n], I wanted to talk to you about your persona.” Morgana explains as he pulls himself away from your hand. You sigh, pulling out the hair in front of him, “I don’t have a persona.”
“You do! I can feel it! I can feel everyone’s power.” Morgana defends, his hair puffing up slightly. Your gaze drifts off to watch Akira work.
You’re entranced, watching as he makes your request effortlessly.
Morgana butts his head against your hand, “You need to awaken your power. If we win this fight against Kamoshida, we could use your help with your power too!”
“I don’t even know how to do that…” You trail off. Morgana is surely persistent.
“It’s weird.” Akira explains, finishing off his work. You watch as he begins to steam the milk, “It’s like something comes over you. Your persona, it talks to you.” He explains. You could almost laugh.
Morgana senses your unconvinced state, “Then you rip off your mask!”
Mask? Ann didn’t have one when you went in… Did she find one?
“Mask? What do I just find one off the ground and put it on?” You frame your question as a joke but apart of you is really curious. Morgana cries in frustration.
A cup is set in front of you with crooked latte art presented in the middle.
“Thanks, Akira.”
“The mask… it just appears on your face when your persona awakens. The only thing is that you have to have a reason for it to awaken.” Akira concludes. Despite his explanation not being too descriptive, it eases the questions floating in your head.
You so your coffee languidly as you collect your thoughts.
“How did you awaken yours?” You ask, setting the cup back down. It clinks against the saucer.
Akira sighs, pulling his prep apron off. “I started feeling Arséne’s presence a bit before, but it was when we first got into the palace. Kamoshida and his guards captured us and when I saw them hurting Ryuji… It just happened.”
His blank stare is all you need. If you hadn’t seen the palace you would have assumed he was on some sort of drugs. You seen Kamoshida and… his version of Ann.
“It’s like seeing other innocent people hurt and oppressed by people… rotten adults who think that justice will not reach them, treat people, teenagers or kids the way they want. I couldn’t do it. I had to bring some sort of justice.” His speech leaves you winded. Akira being so set on justice and his principle that it must be served is almost admirable.
“I don’t even know what to say.” You reply honestly. He laughs a little, understanding your situation.
“It’s hard to understand at first.” Morgana chimes in.
“Ryuji was basically the same and Ann unlocked hers due to seeing how Kamoshida saw her, and his disregard for almost killing Shiho.” You nod. You were pissed about it too. But for some reason your persona never awakened.
You shrug, “I guess I just haven’t been pissed off enough yet.”
04/29 — EVENING
“Good morning!” Ann chirps cheerily as she finds you looking clueless in the station. You smile warmly, adjusting your bag on your shoulder. She passes you a drink, muted in colour with a sticker strikingly similar to the smoothie stall you saw on your way to your meet-up point.
“I don’t know what flavour you like so I just got you the most popular. Is Ube alright?” You nod gratefully, accepting the cool drink. It’s particularly tasty and quenches the thirst you hadn’t realised settled in your mouth.
I could start all my Monday mornings like this.
Thanks to Ann’s presence, the busy station doesn’t feel like much of a hassle. Her ability to keep a conversation going — sometimes one-sided — is admirable and you find yourself humming and nodding mindlessly. She surely has a lot going on in her free time.
“Hey um… I don’t want to like freak you out or anything but is that guy like totally staring at us?” Ann whispered pointedly, her big blue eyes darting back and forth as she tries to be subtle. You pause mid-sip, eyes scanning the station. It’s almost laughable how quick you spot who she is talking about as the blue-haired boy sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the busy stream of workers and students rushing to their trains. His eye contact is unwavering, as if he is determined to remember every detail of your face.
“Yeah.” You breathe, looking at Ann. She squirms, grabbing your free hand to pull you into the crowd.
04/29 — AFTER SCHOOL
“Today’s the day, huh?” You hum, looking at the rag-tag group of friends you’re now apart of. They nod, all different degrees of enthusiasm playing on their faces. Morgana - per usual, meows excitedly.
Ryuji puffs, “Shoot! I never showed you my sick-ass calling card!”
Ann rolls her eyes, her gum bubble popping noisily, “Definitely would not call it ‘sick-ass’.”
The duo butt heads, arguing endlessly. You laugh as you glance over at Akira who still has a confident smile plastered on his face. Morgana bumps his head against Akira’s jaw affectionately.
“Good luck, leader.”
Akira nods, watching as you walk away.
“Damn, I wish [y/n] could fight with us.” Ryuji sighs solemnly. Ann shoves his shoulder, “You just wanna see what her costume would be, perv!”
Akira sighs, adjusting his glasses. The two shift at his reaction, silently ending their argument. Morgana jumps from his place on Akira’s shoulder to land on one of the spare tables left on the school rooftop.
“We have to be prepared. Kamoshida knows we’re coming.” He begins, “We need to bring out A-Game!” Morgana adds.
Ryuji cracks his knuckles determinedly.
Meanwhile, you busy yourself with escaping the flow of students piling out of the school. Weaving between the endless crowds has become one of your skills as you expertly avoid shoulder barges that could end you on your ass.
“Ah! [l/n]-san!” A feminine voice calls out, breaking you from your path. It’s Makoto Niijima, a 3rd year and student council peer. You nod at her politely, slowly stepping out from the crowd.
You greet her warmly, encouraging her to speak once more.
“I was asked to extend thanks to you from Miss. Kawakami for taking the new student under your wing. Kurusu-kun, right?” It’s odd, but you nod. A part of you believes that Kawakami did not ask Makoto to extend this message to you but you play along.
What exactly does she want…
She shifts, glancing at her feet hesitantly. You clear your throat awkwardly, “Is that all, Niijima-san?”
“Well… I wanted to ask, you’re friends with the detective right? Akechi-kun?”
Bingo.
You blink, “Friends would be an exaggeration.”
Makoto regains her composure, as if she’s remembered the script she had planned. The way her face contorts is confusing and almost alarming.
“Well, I’m sure you have heard of the social studies trip taking place in June. I was asked by the principal to ask you to enquire about whether Akechi could attend. He thinks that the detective could inspire our students to aim for employment opportunities at a young age.” She rambles. You bite your tongue. Do I look like his manager?
“I know we’re going to a TV studio but,” You sigh, rolling your neck uncomfortably, “I am not in charge of Akechi’s schedule. The most I can do is ask if he is attending that day for an interview.” You hope your answer is less than satisfactory but Makoto seems happy with it. She smiles, “Thank you. I would appreciate it if you could enquire with him. I’m sure a lot more students will join if they know Akechi-kun is going.”
“…I’ll see what I can do.”
04/29 — EVENING
You eye your phone. The contraption had become your worst enemy lately.
This trip isn’t until June, why do I have to ask now?
You toss and turn on your sofa, the TV show in the background long forgotten. You could just lie and say Akechi never got back to you or that he changed his number so no one can sell it once his stardom hits its peak. He’s still like… C-List.
That’s what you’ve been telling yourself anyway.
You still haven’t heard anything back from the others so you’re assuming they’re doing some serious ass-kicking in the metaverse. You hope so anyway.
This Goro ordeal is taking up more space in my head than my friends…
His chat ID glares at you. The fond photo, the username, your last chats before he ghosted you. You stare at the designated icon, a soft photo of Akechi enjoying a hot chocolate with snowflakes littered in his caramel locks. He wears a black scarf, clearly yours but he’s wearing it so comfortably with it bundles tightly under his chin. Around the rim of the cup you can spot the upturned corners of his lips, his eyes crinkled with happiness and a softness which you haven’t seen in months staring straight at you.
— Goro (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) ;
Are you going to the TV studio in June
Will you be attending
I’m asking as a member of the student council
This is stupid.
