thesis&antithesis

“Right, I apologize then Akechi-san.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, the Fool-Magician sighed. Of course he understand the importance of not missing any piece of evidence. Naoto made sure the group understood that back in Inaba. Though these were different circumstances and he wasn’t currently talking to her. 

“No, we have not seen any students come here with unusual injuries. The most unusual case we currently have is Sakamoto Ryuji’s. However, that is due to the injury he sustained last year from Kamoshida-san. I have a student log if you would like to see it.”

Goro smiles politely at the elder man whilst straightening out his blazer’s lapels. A habit he’d developed with the mindset of looking the part. Despite the media attention he had received, if he dressed casually he would likely be dismissed by most people due to his age.

✽     /     akechi     :     rousseaucrow‌

          she didn’t flinch at his sharp tongue, nor the refusal of the clothing article. having grown used to being blocked by the high walls that safeguarded him. the same walls that she herself once held up before the fateful meeting with morgana. she did, however, grow nervous when he rose from the bench, but nerves soothing when watching him pace in place. thinking no doubt, as he always seemed to do. the distant look that even asked for some higher power to help. but he didn’t leave … this is a big step, her thoughts resounded. perhaps, she’s finally been shown a crack in his walls.

          the empress stood as well, slowly approaching the detective like one would a frightened animal.  ‘  it’s alright to not know where to start.  ’  closer, step by step.  ‘  but you know that there is something that you want to let out, which i’m proud of you for.  ’  

          finally, she stood before him. her petite frame being dwarfed by his tall build, but not to the point that she couldn’t reach his neck.  

‘  … sugimura wasn’t the first suitor my father tried to sell me too.  ’  she carefully rose the scarf. ‘  there were many that he set me up with, and he was furious each time i denied their advances or they weren’t interested.  ’  haru slowly looped the scarf over his neck with the utmost care. ‘  she’s too stubborn, she could lose some weight, you’ve raised a brat. i’ve heard it all and more … my father said the worst of insults after each failed date … sugimura was the only one who didn’t care, as long as he had a teenage wife.  ’  done. the scarf neatly tied around his neck. enough to grant him warm but loose enough in case he truly wanted to remove it and embrace the frigid night. 

           stepping away, bronze eyes looked towards his own with a woeful smile. it was a story she hadn’t told any of her newfound friends. not even their fearless leader who she seemingly told everything too. it was an experience that left her fearful of judgment and to avoid political relationships like the plague. until now, now when she wanted to reach out to akechi so desperately. laying out her own pain to try and appeal the hurt she knows he bears.

          ‘  … would you like to sit and have some tea? it might help you a tad or at the very least warm you up.  ’

“A teenage wife?” Akechi barked out, taking a seat next to her. “That’s disgusting, what a twisted bastard! None of that’s even remotely true. I can’t believe your own father would do--” He paused to take a breath, twisting the cap off the thermos.

“Sorry, I know you loved him but it doesn’t make it any less detestable,” he said, pouring himself some tea and handing the flask back to her, “I just can’t wrap my head around it either. How you can be so forgiving. I’ve never known anything but hatred for my father. I doubt that’s ever going to change, either.”

He buried his face into the scarf, shrinking himself down. Proud of him? That was... perplexing. Haru had more reason than almost anyone else to despise him. He who was so hateful, so filled with rage at the heavens and earth. There was no room for pride.

“Even if I could forgive him, I would never allow myself to,” he started again, inhaling the steam and letting it warm him through, “I-- I don’t mean that as a judgement against you. It’s just that... anything other than resenting his very existence feels like a betrayal of my mother.”

Goro looked at her, over the soft cotton scarf that felt like a shield. It felt like the first time he’d really taken the time to look at her. Haru Okumura was petite, her features soft and graceful but her eyes shone with resolve, with a strength that was mysterious and elusive - simultaneously terrifying and comforting. It felt like she could see right through him.

He lowered the scarf to take a drink. Even the tea was lovely. Slowly, he was also lowering his own walls; brick by brick but she’d convinced him, somehow.

“My mother never deserved any of it. Any of this world’s brutality and ugliness.” his voice rang hollow and strained, as if trying to restrain a caged beast.

answered @rainylotus​. tell me your honest opinion of my portrayal

10/10. would take a bullet in the head for.

✽     /     akechi     :     rousseaucrow‌

            it was a restless night in the okumura mansion. her maid had brought her a pot of tea to help keep her awake as she trudged through college applications. sleeping having already evaded her, the empress instead went about being productive instead of lying awake. deft fingers paused from typing to pour herself another well-needed cup of tea. yet, it’s as she went for a sip that her phone signaled that she received a text message. carefully, the teacup was set down as she turned her attention towards the device. but it’s not from the phantom thieves group chat. no, this time it’s a direct message from the detective prince– akechi, gore.

           after quickly reading over his text, she replied as fast as she could type on the tiny screen.

[ to: akechi, goro ]  :  i am indeed awake, and on my way! [ to: akechi, goro ]  :  please, wait for me.

           abandoning her desk, she called for her maid to grab a thermos for her tea. meanwhile, slipping on warm attire for the chilly cold that awaited her. tea and an extra cup in hand, the heiress hurried through towards their designated meeting place.

          the click on her boots resounded through the park, watchful eyes catching the sight of the familiar brunette. rushing forth as if he were to leave if she took any longer.  ‘  akechi, i’m here! are you alright?  ’  were the first words to tumble from her lips before coming to meet his cold figure.  ‘  oh, you poor thing. here— hold this.  ’  she offered the warm thermos to the justice, also removing her scarf for him to wear as she took a seat beside him. 

He didn’t have to wait long before he was joined by the heiress of Okumura foods. She sat next to him and he gratefully accepted the thermos she gave him, letting the warmth thaw his frozen fingers. The blood rushes back to his extremities and he stretches them languidly, letting the feeling return to them. He refuses the scarf, handing it back to her.

“Don’t--” his voice came out as a harsh and fierce. Goro pursed his lips together, exhaling sharply.

Okumura was so kind, so gentle - the complete opposite of himself. Despite his best efforts, he instinctively bristled, tried to push her away. It wasn’t in his nature to be soft, the world had never before given him space to be. Life had sharpen him to a fine point and he simply didn’t know how to avoid cutting and tearing at those around him anymore.

“I’m fine, you keep it.” Akechi started again, trying to hold back the bite in his voice. He didn’t want to hurt her. He’d already done enough damage. This had been a poor decision, really, and he should probably leave. Rising to his feet, he prepared to leave but--

But he couldn’t allow himself to run like a coward.

Shoulders hunched, Akechi paced in front of her for a moment. He didn’tt flee but the maelstrom in his mind kept his feet moving. Goro couldn’t stop because he didn’t know where to start. How selfish of him to call her out here without saying anything. Perhaps he could start with an apology? As if that could be enough. As if that could truly be sincere. Things were far more complicated than a simple ‘I’m sorry.’

He sighed and lifted his head towards the heavens above, as if searching for divine inspiration. It didn’t come.

“I think we should talk,” he finally offered, breaking the quite silence of the night, “I don’t know what to say though.” He didn’t bother to ask for pardon. Things were too far gone.

answered @rainylotus​.

mmm unga chunga *cartoon hearts burst out of my eyes at you* AWOOGA AWOOOGA

answered @rainylotus​.

"How much for feet pics, king?"

“Nothing. My mind won’t go to sleep.”

Ren stared up at the ceiling, his eyes focused on those glow-in-the-dark stars that Yusuke had given him at the planetarium. After a soft sigh, he rolled over and glanced down at Akechi, who had been given a makeshift “bed” on the floor right next to his bed. It was pretty standard fare for when he had the guys come spend the night, but this was the first time it was Akechi rather than Ryuji or Yusuke… In the first place, Ren was a little surprised that Akechi was actually okay with sleeping on the floor.

“Well, it’s a sleepover. It’d be boring if we knocked out so early. What are you thinking about?” Ren asked.

“Promise not to laugh.”

It was a command, not a question - although Akechi doesn’t even bother to look towards Ren. He already knew. Here was safe, secure, at peace; there’s nothing he could say or do to turn Ren against him. He’d already tried, countless times and yet here he was, laying on the younger man’s floor, staring up at an artificial starscape.

Goro sighed, frustrated with himself. Overthinking, as usual. Old habits were hard to throw off and he constantly found himself alert - analysing everything around him. The need to be several moves ahead at all times made it difficult to relax and enjoy quiet, serene moments like this. Something was always breathing down his neck, waiting for him to slip up and fall.

Only there was nothing, just a clear voice and a question. One without any hint of malice, not an ounce of suspicion. Just curiosity. There was no wrong answer.

“The stars,” he started quietly, wincing at how dry his throat felt, “not these ones.” He raised his arm, gesturing above their heads at the glow in the dark stars dotted over the attic’s ceiling. “I mean the real ones, light years away. Those was only see as they were, thousands, millions of years ago. They’re so distant, we can only ever see them as they were, not how they actually are.” 

answered @foolishwinds​

‘  is  it  that  important?  ’

Akechi’s eyebrows pinched together as he raised his head. The question took him by surprise, it seemed almost frivolous to the young detective. Despite that, Yosuke seemed entirely sincere.

answered @rainylotus​.

"You awake?"

Akechi groaned at the question. 

“Unfortunately,” he responded curtly, “although I really wish I wasn’t. It is rather late, after all.” He offered the younger man a wry smile.

answered @pcefulmashiba​

‘  does  it  hurt?  ’

“No.” Liar.

Akechi inhales sharply, grimacing tightly. His jaw strains, he knows his face is giving away his bluff but--

He can’t just admit to being in pain. It’s akin to admitting to his own weakness after all. So he breathes in deeply, once, twice, thrice. Carefully he schools his expression to something resembling neutral. He’s cautious, not to blink too much or too little - not to twitch ever so slightly and give them game away.