So let’s talk about Goro’s Rank 3 Confidant.
Aside from the obvious fact that they were definitely kissing off screen, the “disguise” that Akiren uses on Goro is incredibly symbolic.
Where does the symbolism lie? Within the glasses.
It’s been long speculated that Akiren’s glasses are fake (which Ryuji confirms earlier on) and it’s confirmed within the artbook (I think) that he wears them to appear more unassuming, mild, and harmless. Essentially, it’s another manifestation of him masking himself to mirror others, and he constantly appears to be more comfortable with them on than off.
(I think it’s also important to note the importance of his glasses getting knocked off when he first awakens, revealing his true self for the first time. In addition to that, when he sees his Shadow in Shibuya when he first arrives in Tokyo, it doesn’t wear glasses as he does.)
So, why is he so eager to let Goro wear his glasses, which are a way that Akiren protects himself?
Well, the first answer that comes to mind is that the situation calls for it. It’s more important for Goro to not be discovered, and Akiren is more than eager to put Goro’s needs before his own so that their meeting doesn’t get interrupted.
But. If you look a little deeper into it. Making Goro look more like him could be Akiren’s way of showing Goro how similar they are. He ruffles his hair and gives him his glasses, his mask, and essentially, makes a few very clear points:
Even when Goro’s appearance is changed, when Goro puts on a mask or a facade, Akiren can still recognise him, can still see him for who he is, and, unlike everyone else present, he will always be able to see, understand, and accept Goro. Even if Goro changes masks, even if he looks and acts different, Akiren will know it’s him.
Akiren won’t hide himself from Goro, either. He takes off his glasses, removes the mask he dons in reality, the reflective mirrors his confidants see and learn from, and shows himself, his true self, to Goro and only Goro in reality. He’s allowing himself to be more exposed, more raw and vulnerable for Goro.
He’s left the ball in Goro’s court, letting him know that even if Goro needs a mask or disguise, Akiren will stay true and honest to him, and will always know and understand, and will help him with it if it comes to it.
And, as a bonus? You know how they say that the eyes are the windows to the soul? Even we as the player don’t actually see Akiren’s eyes that often (when we make choices as him, one eye is either covered by his glasses or he’s wearing his Joker mask – the exception to this is in the Velvet Room, where he has no choice but to be his true self), and it’s quite apparent from his demeanour and even his posture that Akiren tends to avoid eye contact more often than not. Yet in this scene, he’s perfectly comfortable allowing Goro to look him in the eyes as he sits right across from him. He doesn’t have a way to hide himself from Goro in this scene, and Akiren is perfectly alright with it.
It’s a whole new level of metaphor and intricacy and layering and complexity to their relationship, but it’s so, so, so meaningful, because every single interaction they have is so much more intimate and soul-baring than what it looks like on surface level.
Aaaanyways, that’s all I got for today, folks, shuake canon thank you
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