Chapter Text
Yusuke had reservations about the situation. He had a good number of them, but he would keep them to himself unless the time came that Akira must know. Akira was already well aware of Yusuke’s concern over his physical health and current state and he did not need further reminding.
Akira darted down the alleyway towards the main street where a growing crowd was forming and Yusuke saw the limp he was trying to hide.
The man beside him must have seen it as well. He stepped forward as if to follow, yet stopped himself. Despite the stern look always present on Suou’s face, the concern emanating off him is palpable.
Yusuke looked back down the alley and fought the urge to follow as well. Too large a group would have caused a stir, and it was his suggestion. Their steps need to be precise and carefully decided, but worry was hard to ignore. An anxious thrum was just under his skin and his hands clenched at his sides. He told himself he could keep it under control.
The echoes of the campaign were still clear as they rung out. It must have been close.
“So our children who carry the burden of the next generation can be proud of their country! So our nation can once again become a powerful one with abundant wealth and luxury!” The man’s voice was confidant over the speakers. It made Yusuke’s stomach churn knowing what that man had done and what he was capable of. “So our beautiful home will be acknowledged as the best country in the world!”
At his side, Yusuke saw Suou bristle at the campaigning speech as the man kept his pointed stare down the alleyway. Yusuke heard a small clack of metal and noted the old lighter in Suou’s hand. An anxious energy clung to him, and fed into Yusuke’s.
They had no choice but to wait for the others to return. There was little point standing outside, and it only raised the possibility of someone noticing their particular group. Yusuke turned to head inside to wait for any news. The others followed and Yusuke heard that distinctive metal sound yet again. It was resolute.
It felt like an eternity before the cafe’s bell chimed overhead. When Yusuke turned to look, Haru was carefully ushering in Akira, and Yusuke’s heart stopped. Leblanc fell silent.
Haru carefully cradled Akira’s hand in her own as she lead him inside. Ryuji followed after and immediately began pacing the length of the cafe, fuming. Yusuke was not concerned over Ryuji’s anger. He already knew it stemmed from the dazed look on Akira’s visage. The door closed behind them and Yusuke quickly stood from his seat at the far stool. Suou beat him to Akira’s side and Yusuke immediately relented. Both Suou and Haru lead Akira to sit at a nearby booth. Haru stepped carefully back when Suou knelt down in front of his son.
Akira leaned forward on his knees as he pressed half his face into his folded hands. It was a look more of contemplation rather than pure distress, yet Yusuke knew Akira well. Behind those thick frames was a growing anxiety that he was desperately trying to keep down. Suou carefully reached out to brush that shaggy hair from his eyes and Akira was silent in his pliancy.
“Where are you?” Suou asked, voice hushed and meant only for Akira’s ears. Yusuke was standing close enough to hear. It felt inappropriate. Yusuke was reminded of months prior. This was hardly the first time for Suou. If anyone could help guide Akira out of his stupor, it was this man.
Akira was silent before his eyes slid closed.
“I’m here,” he finally replied. Suou sighed with relief. His hand pat Akira’s bandaged cheek reassuringly before he rested it against his knee. The man looked up to Haru, still standing closeby.
“What happened?”
Ryuji pointedly turned and he looked ready to put his fist through the counter.
“It’s that son of a bitch, Shido!” The room looked at him and his outburst. Yusuke wanted to ask what he could mean, but Akira lowered his hands from his mouth. Yusuke could see how distant his eyes were. His heart ached seeing their leader reduced to this. He hadn’t seen Akira this lost often, but it was humbling and excruciating each time.
Yusuke wanted to take the last few steps to him and reach out to touch. He wanted to comfort. But Suou knew how to handle this.
“Dad.”
Akira needed his father. Suou looked right at him and there was quiet patience burning behind his gentle eyes. Yusuke trusted him with Akira.
“It was him.”
Suou went quiet as he waited for some elaboration. Akira swallowed thickly, grounded himself.
“That night… when I was arrested.” Akira’s leg started to bounce, jarring his whole body. “It was Shido.”
Yusuke’s stomach dropped once more as he was stunned.
“Shido’s the guy who set you up…!?” Ann broke the silence. There was shocked disgust in her exasperation.
“What kind of fate brought you two back together…?” Yusuke wished he had let himself go with the others. He wished he could have been there to see what sort of man Shido actually was. Akira still anxiously fidgeted in the booth and Yusuke could not stop thinking maybe he could have stopped this from happening. He knew better, but the frustrated anger sparked like flint.
“It’s definitely him,” Akira’s voice was shaken, though he was trying to keep himself at some level of composed. Suou did not buy it. Nor did Morgana, whose tail thumped against the table top. The cat’s pointed blue eyes stayed locked on Akira.
“Shido was involved in the cognitive research too, right? This can’t be dismissed as just coincidence…” Morgana said, bite to his tone. The more Yusuke let his mind linger on it, the more unpleasant details lined up. Truly fate had been cruel, but just how far was it going to punish an innocent boy? Yusuke’s heart became a cold, heavy weight.
“Shido was already a politician then, yet he sued a student and ruined his future?” Sae finally spoke up. It had been obvious she felt out of place amongst the ragtag team of teenagers, but now her brow was furrowed with deep contemplation. “He must have pulled some strings so that his name wasn’t mentioned… Furthermore, he also would have forced that woman into making a false statement.”
“That’s exactly what happened.” Suou turned to look up at the woman. He was still kneeling down and his hand still rested on Akira’s bouncing knee. The way his thumb rubbed back and forth seemed to slow the jarring movement but it persisted nonetheless. Yusuke couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt from Akira’s father. “I wasn’t on duty that night, but I remember the reports.”
“That’s right!” Ann exclaimed suddenly, startling half the group. “You’re a cop! Akira mentioned something like that to me a few months ago, right? Now that we found out who did it, can’t something be done about Akira’s record? I’m sure you could find something!” Ann was eager about her suggestion but the twinge of desperation worn at the authenticity. Even she didn’t fully believe in her own words.
That guilt-laced look in Suou’s eyes grew more heavy.
“It’s… not that simple. A friend of mine on the force was the one who told me about the inconsistencies the night it happened. We both knew something was wrong. We tried looking into it, but…” Suou looked away. “Her position was threatened. And it cost me mine. I have no access to those records anymore.”
Yusuke never put the pieces together so thoroughly before but it made sense suddenly. It was no wonder now that the family would be tight on money. He never considered Akira was not the only one whose livelihood was at stake.
“Once the courts have made a judgement, overturning that decision will be difficult,” Sae offered heavily, “It’d barely be possible even if proof of innocence is presented and Shido admits to his crimes.”
It was a heavy realization that settled over the room. The truth of the matter had always been obvious, yet they wanted to hold out for any sort of hope. It may be a lost cause, or something that should be addressed at a later date. Yusuke looked across the cafe and watched Akira and his father. A burdened air lingered over them and Yusuke wanted to know which cruel and indifferent deity decided this family had not been through enough yet.
His heart yearned for answers, but there was no point on lingering on it any longer. Their time for action was near. Yusuke set his resolve.
“At any rate, we need to trigger a change of heart in him,” Yusuke finally said after the deafening silence. Akira looked up at him and Yusuke felt the sense of gratitude behind those frames.
“Be that as it may,” Makoto spoke up from her seat across from Akira. She sounded all business and a firm grounding presence. It was much needed. “Shido’s outer appearance and his true face are wholly different. It’s beyond hypocritical. It’s as if he’s an entirely different person.”
The conversation fell into discussion of what a disgusting man they were dealing with and their options. Akira seemed to have finally relaxed. In the least, he had come back to himself. It settled Yusuke’s anxious heart, but the worry was deep rooted in his gut. He watched as Akira fidgeted with his wrist and the bandages wrapped around them. Yusuke might need to change them soon and that could be just the distraction the two needed.
The plan was set to meet back up after classes tomorrow at the diet building once again. Guessing was still their only option.
As everyone got ready to leave, Yusuke lingered. He knew he wouldn’t be able to spend the night with his current dorm rules. Not again so soon. So he wanted to insure any time he could offer could be dedicated to Akira’s wellbeing.
Futaba’s report that first night still frightened him.
Suou helped Akira to his feet and when Yusuke approached, a look of understanding passed across the man’s eyes. Yusuke could not help but notice that it was Suou’s eyes that belied his emotions. Akira must have picked up that particular behavior from him.
“Allow me to take him upstairs,” Yusuke insisted. Akira scoffed but a small smile played at his lips.
“I’m fine, Yusuke.”
“Then addressing your bandages will take no time.”
Akira relented. Suou placed a hand on Akira’s shoulder. The squeeze was reassuring and Akira looked up to him.
“I’ll check in on you later.” The small smile he offered shifted, “I need to make a phone call.” Suou glanced to Yusuke and nodded before he dug out his phone and headed outside.
Akira took Yusuke’s hand and Yusuke lead him upstairs.