Chapter Text
What’s the matter…? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself? Death awaits him if you do nothing.
Was your previous conviction a mistake?
He could.
He could run.
Akira could run and never look back. Could go to class, apologize for being late, be the model student he was supposed to be, despite his records being leaked. Keep his head down, be smart, be studious. Live out his probation and go home.
It’s so tempting. A normal life.
Instead of reliving all this. Instead of dying. Ignoring the depths of Mementos and focusing on his life.
But he’d have to watch Ryuji die.
It’s not really a choice. Not at all.
Joker reaches into the depths of his soul, the anger and frustration boiling in his heart. That is one of his Phantom Thieves, his people, and Kamoshida does not get to hurt him.
It flares across his skin, I am thou, thou art I, let us once more commit all sacrilegious acts in the name of thine own justice, Trickster.
Joker laughs. It bubbles out of him, overflowing from the force of the wrath burning in his veins.
There is no hesitation as he rips off his mask, rips off the face he shows the world, and summons Arsene to fight. Forcing the guards back, wiping them out with a sweep of his arm.
Eyes alight, he points at the utter bastard of lust, the king he is looking forward to decrowning, and says, “You do not get to hurt him ever again.”
(Akira wants to kill him. He wants Kamoshida to burn with as much pain as his own soul is in. He wants him to die. He does not want to be a killer).
A snap of his fingers and Arsene knocks Kamoshida to the ground. Joker takes his mask back and strides forward, offering a hand up to Ryuji. “We need to get out of here.”
Ryuji takes his hand, but he’s staring. Oh, yeah. Of course he is. “What the fuck was that!?”
“... A persona. It spoke to me. A manifestation of my rebel’s spirit. Now come on, we need to go.” He’s pulling him along, scooping up the keys and locking the jail cell.
There’s nothing worth stealing, not yet. He needs to run. He needs to find Morgana. It’s been so long, but Kamoshida is unconscious and not calling for guards, yet. All Ryuji can do is fret and freak out. Fair.
“Hey! Hey you! Let me out of here!”
Joker smiles, one corner of his lips tilted up. Even as Morgana pleads his case to Ryuji, he’s already grabbing the keys to unlock the cell.
“Wait, dude! What if it’s one of those freaky enemies!”
Oh Ryuji. He shakes his head and opens the door.
And then immediately pets Morgana on the head.
“Hey! I’m not a cat!”
Later, later.
Akira stares at the ceiling of his room. Morgana had come to school to ask them to steal Kamoshida’s heart. Morgana hadn’t seemed to say anything about this repetition. If anyone had known, it should’ve been him.
“I know you’re there, Morgana,” he says into the midnight quiet, not sparing a glance toward his window.
“What! I was being so quiet!” The cat (not a cat) weaves into the room, standing on the windowsill.
Akira huffs, a soft laugh. “I’m just that good.” I’ve just had that much time to learn who you are, my friend. “You don’t have to stay out there, you’re welcome to stay with me.”
Morgana gives him a look, as if questioning his sanity.
“Tokyo’s a big place, wouldn’t it be nice to have a home base? You could even steal my fatty tuna.”
Seeing Morgana light up, hearing him purr, it almost brings tears to Akira’s eyes.
There’s a solid weight on his chest, that night.
Morgana had been gone.
Just like the rest of them.
…..
He’s going to have to watch Ryuji die again.
Despite his efforts.
Because of his efforts.
He won’t let it happen.
He can’t be made to watch.
Not again.