Chapter Text
You’d been out checking your mail when you found an envelope you weren’t expecting. You piled it in with the rest of your mail and made the walk back to your apartment, failing to look at the sender. Once you’d returned home, looking over the envelope, you froze.
You sat at your dining table and opened the envelope, watching as a flower fell out and onto your lap. It was dried and flattened, but hadn’t lost all of its scent yet. You twirled it between your fingers, admiring the bright-- while slightly faded-- red colour. You’re not the most adept when it comes to flowers, but you recognize it from visiting Akira at the flower shop before.
You took the piece of paper out of the envelope, unfolding it and looking it over before stopping abruptly.
You knew that handwriting.
You knew that handwriting better than anyone else in Tokyo. But that wasn’t possible. Akechi was supposed to be dead. How can someone who’s dead send you a letter? You continued reading through until the ending line before a tear spilled from your eye.
“Ever yours, Goro”
With every word you read, another tear fell from your eye. You’d been trying so hard to come to terms with his death, but now the universe has sent you another Akechi just to throw all your efforts down the drain.
You looked back up at the envelope and saw a small card. Flipping it over, you read the numbers over until you memorized them. Akechi’s phone number was right before you. The very same Akechi you had thought was dead for so long.
You quickly pulled out your phone and dialled the number.
*
43 times you’d called with no answer. You stared blankly at your phone, thinking of reasons as to why he’d give you his number and not answer.
Maybe he’s asleep? He did say he was in a different city.. but not outside Japan. There wouldn’t be a time difference, and it’s midday. Maybe he wrote one of the numbers wrong? Possible, but unlikely. Akechi was always a man of perfection. He’d check over it once, and then twice more before even thinking of putting it in the envelope. The number doesn’t actually exist? This is all a dream? You were starting to believe this was all just a cruel prank.
Reasons ran through your head on repeat as you clicked your phone screen once more, only for the call to ring through completely and get sent to voicemail.
*
Akechi was pacing back and forth through his apartment as he watched his phone light up every few seconds.
He’d gotten a new phone after everything that happened, so he wasn’t used to it ringing. He’d occasionally get calls from Maruki or the rehabilitation centre he attended, but besides that his phone never rang. Now, it was ringing continuously with a number he’d memorized so long ago, meaning you must have read his letter.
He watched his phone light up once more before it went silent for more than a minute. He panicked, thinking you had given up trying to contact him. His heart settles when his phone rings again and the same sound he’s been listening to for the past half hour plays loudly throughout his apartment.
Once it stops again, he inhales sharply and grabs his phone, pulling up the messenger app and begins to type.
(13:36) [L/N]. I apologize for not answering any of your calls. I’m just trying to find the right words to say.
He doesn’t have to wait long before a message from you is sent through.
(13:36) no worries. i just thought maybe you’d given me the wrong number or something.
(13:38) i know you said you have no intentions of coming back to tokyo.. but can we meet up at some point? it doesn’t have to be here, or it can be. it’s really up to you.
Their icon appears and disappears for a minute before eventually another message is sent.
(13:40) ..i just really want to see you again
In any other world, he’d be back in Tokyo at the drop of a hat if it was you asking, but in this reality he hesitates. As much as he’d love to see you again, he’s not so canny on seeing any of the other Phantom Thieves. Their leader may have gone back to his hometown, but that doesn’t eliminate the fact that the others are still around.
He took a deep breath before typing his reply, ignoring his brain and instead following his heart.
(13:43) ..How about we meet up at the diner in Shibuya tomorrow afternoon? I’ll catch a train into the city and meet you there.
In seconds, you reply.
(13:43) alright.
*
You sat in the diner 15 minutes early, wringing your fingers as the stress continued to consume you. A part of you hoped yesterday that you’d been sleeping. That you’d been dreaming when you opened that letter and called his number. It was all just a sick trick your mind was playing on you.
And it still could be a trick. What if you’re being played a fool? What if that phone number, and the letter, was just some joke, some prank, to finally get you to leave your apartment? But then again, how would they know so much about Akechi’s life, or your relationship with him?
Before your thoughts could run even further, a brown haired boy in a beige coat walks up the stairs, looking a bit lost.
His hair was longer than it was when you two were younger, sitting neatly on his shoulders. He still wore those black leather gloves, and had the same frown on his face which seemed to hide his discomfort. He spotted you among the tables of people and quickly made his way over, taking the seat across from you.
“Too public?” you asked, trying to act casual. He suggested the diner, but perhaps he only did so for your sake.
He cleared his throat, and opened his mouth to talk, but was quickly interrupted by the waitress that walked over.
“Hello, what can I get you two?”
“Just a coffee.” Goro replied. His voice wasn’t as harsh as it was the last time you saw him. It didn’t hold that sickly sweet venom it had during his detective prince days either. It felt mellow, calm in a way you’d never truly seen from Akechi.
“And you?” the waitress looked at you expectantly.
“Ah, a coffee as well, please.” the waitress nodded and left soon after.
Silence overtook your table as the two of you sat, Akechi staring down at the patterns formed in the wood from resurfacing and use. Multiple times you tried to open your mouth to speak and fill the unfamiliar, awkward silence. But every word was hidden behind your closed throat.
The waitress returned with two cups of coffee and a bowl of creamers. Akechi cleared his throat again and finally looked up to you.
“No,” you gave him a confused look. “It’s not too public, I mean. It wouldn’t matter either way, the people of Tokyo don’t remember me. The only ones I’d have to worry about are you and your friends.”
“I see..” you looked down at your cup and wrapped your hands around it, letting the warmth seep into your fingers.
“..I’m sorry it took so long for me to contact you,” he continued. “I just.. I wanted to restart. This is the first time in my life I haven’t been controlled by someone, whether it be that sorry excuse of a god or my father.. There is no one pulling my strings anymore-- I’m free. No charges, no Metaverse. Just Goro Akechi,” he placed his hands on his knees. “So I left. I left and I had no intention of coming back. I..” his fists clenched. “I thought it’d be easier to leave without telling anyone-- it would be easier on me that way.”
“Akechi..” you said, shaking your head. “I don’t blame you for anything. You didn’t need to contact me, or come see me, I didn’t even need to know you were alive--” You quickly started backtracking after you said that, “D-Don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad you are, and I’m beyond happy you reached out, I just.. don’t want you to feel obligated to do anything for anyone, especially not me.”
The boy before you was silent once more. You weren’t sure how to continue after getting all of that out. Now that he knew you weren’t forcing him to stay, you were scared he’d bolt out and act like he was never there in the first place. But all he did was sit across from you. He looked down at his coffee, hair covering his eyes blocking you from seeing into his soul.
“How is everyone?” he asked hesitantly.
“They’re good!” you replied, thankful for the change of topic. “Yoshizawa and Sakura are starting their third year in high school together. Sakamoto, Takamaki, and Kitagawa are all onto college and university-- all on scholarships. Niijima and Okumura are in their second years of Uni now too..” you trailed off, looking out the window. “Akira’s back too.”
He sprung up at that comment, which quickly made you backtrack. “I didn’t tell him, or anyone, you were alive or in the city. The only people who know are whoever you’ve told and myself.”
His body relaxed. “Thank you,” he sighed. “It was hard to even tell you I was alive. I don’t want to imagine the barrage of messages I’d receive from Sakura pinpointing my location if she found out.” He scowled as he spoke, which made you giggle lightly.
“She can be.. persistent.”
“That’s putting it lightly,” he scoffed, crossing his arms.
“But you know she’d do it because we all care about you.” You rest your arms on the table, folding your fingers together.
“I find it hard to believe that you all care about me.”
“And why’s that?” you ask, mirroring his pose.
He laughed, an emotionless, empty sound. “How am I supposed to believe that the thieves care about me when I’ve hurt a great majority of them beyond belief? I killed Sakura and Okumura’s parents – I tried and thought I’d succeeded in killing your Akira. It’s not unbelievable to think they’d hate me.”
“And yet, Akira and Sakura spent months trying to find you after Maruki’s reality closed!” Your tone forced Akechi to look up at you. “The two of them spent so long searching every city or news outlet that may lead back to you, but gave up when every trace came back empty.
“I know it may seem impossible, but all the thieves have forgiven you, and I’m sure they would love to see you.” You pulled out your wallet, putting down enough change to pay for both of your drinks. “I know you said you wanted a new start, but all new beginnings start with forgiveness. You’ve gained it from us – now isn’t it time you forgive yourself?”
You smiled. “I don’t want you to be alone anymore. So please.. let us in to help you.”
He sat there with a blank face, looking somewhere past you. He seemed to be turning your words over in his brain. You were about to start taking back what you’d said when Akechi suddenly spoke. “Okay.”
“Okay?” you echoed.
“Okay. I’ll..” he paused, taking in a breath. “I’ll start letting people in. You can tell your band of thieves about me.”
He moved to cross his arms again, but you quickly grabbed his hand holding it dearly in both of your hands. A bright smile spread across your face as you looked at his dark red eyes. “Thank you, Goro, for coming back to us.”