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When Goro wakes up, it’s just another day for him. There’s no fanfare, no sunshine on his face, no angels descending from the heavens and singing for him.
He’s a year older. It’s that simple. Another year past him, another age reached that his younger self didn’t think he’d be around for. But here he is, comfortably burrowed into his sheets, sheets that smell like Akira and him and coffee and cat and everything nice in the world. So maybe today he could allow himself to finally celebrate it. Akira would greet him with homemade breakfast, spend the day with him and maybe even take him out in the evening. Or they could order sushi and curl up on the sofa together, just the two of them with Morgana stretched over their laps, watching old Featherman episodes well into the night.
A smile curls Goro’s lips up and he presses his face into the pillow to hide it, knowing fully well how Akira would never let him live it down.
It takes him a few long moments to realise that the other side of the bed is cold and he opens his eyes to see empty space where his boyfriend should be.
Goro’s smile falls and makes way for a frown. He’s used to Akira getting up earlier than him to start making breakfast, but how dare he escape Goro before he could get at least a birthday kiss in?
In a split-second, Goro decides to throw Akira’s pillow against the wall, feeling gleeful satisfaction at the way it flops down sadly into their laundry pile.
“Honey, are you awake already?”
Akira enters the room with soft steps, looking at the pillow in confusion and then at Goro, who’s sitting cross-legged on the bed and already fluffing up and readying the next one, aiming at his boyfriend this time.
“I was actually thinking of going back to sleep so someone would get another chance at waking me up properly.”
Akira is hit square in the face, his usual quick reflexes failing him.
Taking the attack in stride, he chuckles and picks up the pillows, walking over to the bed and depositing them in their usual place. “I’m sorry. But hey, I’ve let you sleep in already. Time to get up or you’ll miss half the day.”
Goro only lets out a displeased sound that’s something between a sigh and a snarl.
Akira arches his eyebrow, looking far too awake and dressed for Goro’s sake. “Fine, I guess I did leave you alone."
The only warning Goro gets is a grin before Akira tackles him back down into the sheets, his lips attacking his neck and face, making him let out an involuntary laugh. Goro’s arms wrap around him and pull him closer into a proper kiss, their lips meeting time and time again to exchange heated kisses that quickly slow down into soft and loving ones. He could stay like this forever with Akira, just the two of them in their little space, the world outside far away and unable to reach them in here.
Protesting noises escape Goro as he feels Akira trying to drag him up while still distracting him with arguably excellent tactics. He separates himself from Akira as soon as he gets too close to the edge of the bed.
“It’s my birthday so I can sleep in,” he grumbles and shifts backwards.
Akira is quick to catch up to him once again, pressing a gentle kiss against the corner of his mouth that softens Goro just a little bit. “Sure, but you’d miss all the things I’ve planned for today.” Another kiss, this time on his chin, followed by a few more on his cheek, temple, nose. “Wouldn’t that be a shame?”
Goro leans into the contact and closes his eyes, the sleepiness still in his bones making it all the easier to just enjoy being taken care of without thinking too coherently. “Hm, what kind of things would those be?” he asks, hands tangling in Akira’s messy hair and pulling him closer.
“I was thinking of coffee first,” Akira mumbles against his check, planting another kiss there. “Then you can take a nice bath to wake up.”
Goro opens his eyes and scoffs. “A bath in the morning? What makes you think I won’t fall asleep again?”
Akira separates himself from him and leans their foreheads together, a nervous smile on his face. “Play with me here because I already ran the water...”
“Idiot.” Goro kisses him a last time before pushing himself up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “You’re lucky your coffee is good.”
Akira hums and stands back up, offering a hand to Goro and pulling him up, but instead of letting him go, he catches him around the waist. “So I can get you to agree to anything with coffee?” Akira teases him.
“I can still change my mind,” Goro smirks and only leans into the embrace for a moment before he pushes a bit away, but not enough to slip out of his hold. “You might be spared if you bring it to me while I’m in the bathtub.”
“Bossy,” Akira grins.
“I’m allowed to be for today.”
“You always are, though. Not that I don’t love it.”
“Shut up and come here.” Goro pulls on a surprised Akira’s collar and walks backwards until he can feel his knees hit the bed. “The bath can wait a few more minutes.”
Goro might have been a celebrity detective in the past, but sometimes the simplest of things float over his head. Especially when he’s tired and busy being distracted by his boyfriend’s soft lips first thing in the morning.
Of course the bath was only a way to keep him busy so Akira could flee and get whatever stupid idea took hold of his brain today rolling, be it flowers, cake or just a spontaneous grocery run. But strangely enough, as Goro stares down at the envelope on the kitchen table, he feels excitement running through his body. Even a handwritten card qualifies as a gift today, and God knows he is desperate for those after a lifetime of learning not to expect anything.
He opens the envelope and promptly frowns as he comes face to face with a piece of scrap paper. Is he not even worth a proper card? His eyes light up, though, when he recognises not just Akira’s handwriting, but Sumire’s too.
Good morning honey~ Hello Goro!!! ^^
sorry in advance for deceiving you lol but sumi and I have big plans for the day B)
That’s right!!! We stole your presents and now you have to get them back!!! But unfortunately we dropped a few of them on the run so now you have to search aaaall around Tokyo to get them back ^^
don’t worry it’s all fun and stuff. kinda like playing tag, yeah?
Oh, then we’re just missing something! Tag! You’re it! Hehe~
try to catch up to us, but we’re not gonna make it easy for you~
Senpai and I have prepared lots of challenges for you to overcome!!! But we’re gonna give you hints at least. As if we were there with you!
Your first stop for a quick brunch is the comfiest place in all of Yongen-Jaya. Better hurry or your curry will get cold B)
I’m so jealous! I want curry too! >-<
dw I promised Sumi to make her some soon she’s fine
Love, Sumire~ +a future distraction master<3 did you enjoy your bath?
Goro only notices his lips quivering when he puts the note down. Is he really getting emotional over this? Over a simple piece of scrap paper his two most important persons scribbled all over in an attempt to communicate their plans for the day? He really must have gotten soft.
Forcing himself out of the incoming spiral of “no one has ever appreciated me like that” and “am I really worth all this?”, he blinks a few times and sucks in air, then pockets the note. So much for sleeping in. He thinks he should be mad about getting roped into this without his consent on his birthday where he should be in charge, but the idea that Akira and Sumire would prepare a scavenger hunt all around Tokyo for him? It puts a soft smile on his face and he can't help but feel grateful.
A familiar pressure against his legs brings him out of his thoughts and he looks down to see Morgana rubbing himself against him. “Happy birthday, Goro,” he purrs, sounding as if he just woke up—that would explain him seeking out contact for once instead of whining to Goro about food.
Goro smiles, crouches down and scratches the feline under his chin. Normally he would complain about the cat hair on his pants, but he’s in a good mood today. “I thought you were with Akira.” Then an idea gets into his head. “Morgana, how about we two catch a pair of thieves?”
Morgana looks at him quizzically. “Is this about what Akira was preparing? He wouldn’t tell me anything. Hey, why are you already getting that thing? I wanna go back and take a nap!”
Goro practically stuffs the feline into the sports bag Akira usually uses to carry him around with. “Get in already, we’re going to Leblanc.”
“But I’m a thief too!” Morgana meows loudly in protest, but Goro can see that his struggling has no real force behind it. He wouldn’t want to leave him behind today, alone in their apartment for what could possibly take the whole day. Akira must have thought the same, otherwise the bag wouldn’t already have a pillow for Morgana and other essentials in it.
“Today you’re this detective’s assistant,” Goro says amusedly and closes the zipper halfway. “I’ll even buy you fatty tuna if we manage to catch the criminals.”
“Deal,” Morgana says, faster than lightning, peeking his head out of the opening. His eyes twinkle in anticipation. “Let’s go find Akira! What are we waiting for?”
Goro smirks. “For all your usual loyalty, you’re easy to bribe.”
Morgana bristles and turns his nose up. “Maybe I’m just coming along to keep an eye on you, you know?”
“Whatever you say, cat.”
“I’m not a cat!”
Akira and Sumire are not at Leblanc, but it's not like Goro expected them to be there anyway.
Just as he’s about to take the first bite of his curry—his special, milder birthday curry, only made for him, Sakura had told him before—Leblanc’s owner comes up to him and slides a small package over the counter, rectangle-shaped and thick. Probably a book. “For you, kid. Uh... happy birthday. The present is from me, the envelope was left here by Akira.”
Goro’s spoon freezes mid-air. “... Thank you, Sakura-san,” he says slowly, genuinely surprised. He wouldn’t have expected Sakura of all people to care about his birthday.
Sakura sighs. “Open it if you want. I... hope I got it right.” He rubs his neck and looks away, clearly as flustered as Goro. “I’m gonna head out for cigarettes. Watch the store while I’m gone, will you?”
“Of course.”
As soon as he’s out of the door, Morgana jumps on the stool beside Goro and inspects the package. “The chief got you something? Open it, I wanna see!”
Goro puts the spoon down in favour of taking the present in his hands, feeling more weight than anticipated. “I’m guessing a book. You know, I really didn’t think he would care about my birthday.”
“The chief likes you, you know,” Morgana says, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. As if people he has hurt in the past can just like Goro that easily.
“I suppose so,” Goro mumbles, unwrapping his present carefully, choosing to file that thought away for later introspection.
He comes face to face with a book and silently congratulates himself for guessing right. It’s a thriller, one that doesn’t look like the countless cheap ones he walks past at the bookstore, but one that actually has a compelling title and cover image. He smiles and pockets it. Not a bad guess. Akira must have helped.
In all honesty, he could go home like this after eating his curry, stomach full and with a gift in his bag that he’s all too eager to dive into and devour. But the envelope that’s still sitting on the counter reminds him that this is merely the first stop in Akira’s and Sumire’s little plan.
“You like those crime novels, huh?” Morgana muses while Goro opens the envelope.
“I think it’s no secret that I still like the occasional challenge,” Goro says, pulling the scrap paper out and unfolding it. A train ticket falls out and he catches it just in time. “That includes both solving crimes and participating in silly scavenger hunts. Let’s see what we have here.”
Congrats!!! You found the first location!!! ^^
If you didn’t we might have a problem now whoops
Don’t worry, I’m sure he found it! It was pretty obvious, right?
we don’t know how obvious we made it yet tho...
Right, maybe we should write these notes in order?
boring. Anyway, now that you likely have something from Sojiro for the long train ride, here’s the hint for your next location
Maaaybe we will drop a present there, who knows?
But just a heads up that if you don’t find a present, you’re gonna get it later throughout the year lol.
But still, give it your all!
just imagine my satisfied smirk if I find out I made a challenge too hard for you. does it bother you? are you getting annoyed hearing me jingle my clown bells at you- So here’s your next hint! It’s a place that holds a very special memory for you and Akira.
It’s where we had our first date~
You didn’t call it a date, though!
Writing a guy in the middle of the night to ask if he wants to visit a date spot with you doesn’t sound straight if you ask me
Fair! Okay, now you should know where to go. Your ticket is reserved, just talk to the people at the entrance! See you later!
I wish I could come with you tbh
“You’re laughing. What did they write? I wanna see!” Morgana jumps on the counter and paws at the note that Goro pulls away to place in his journal with the other one.
“They might be stupid, but at least it’s endearing,” Goro sighs fondly. “But if these are the challenges they were talking about, I hope they aren’t making a fool of me. Drink your milk, we have a train ride to Shinagawa ahead of us.”
The woman manning the counter at the aquarium lights up considerably once she learns his name and as she shoves his reserved ticket at him, she performs a theatrical impression of whatever script Akira and Sumire must have written out for her. Goro is about to die on the spot from embarrassment and it’s only made worse by the faint snicker he knows only he can hear coming from the heavy bag slung over his shoulder.
He puts on his best tv smile and thanks her, then rushes through the entrance to get away from the questioning stares of a few stray visitors, only vaguely having listened to her monologue. From what he has gathered, Akira and Sumire were allowed to mark this place up with waymarkers and the likes prior to today. Every few sections there should be a little surprise waiting for him until it would all culminate into one of the rumoured presents. Goro is surprised that the place would allow this kind of thing even with other visitors there who could potentially disrupt it, but then again—there’s almost no people here this time of day, people either being in school or at work.
Morgana peeks his head out of the bag and Goro reacts at sonic speed, shoving him back down. The protesting is imminent. “Hey! What’s the point of bringing me if I can’t watch with you?”
“I didn’t expect them to send me to a public place,” Goro hisses quietly.
“But I wanna see the fish!”
Goro quickly looks around. No one seems to have noticed what he knows sounds like meowing to ordinary humans. Maybe he could allow him this one freedom.
“Fine. But if you let out a single noise, I’m zipping that bag shut.”
“That’s animal cruelty!”
“Oh, so suddenly you’re an animal?”
“That’s different!”
They walk along the various tanks filled with colourful fish. While Goro is keeping his eyes open for any kind of waymarker, he’s finding himself actually enjoying this outing too. It’s been five years since he went here with Akira the first time, only coming back once or twice in the years since. Back then, he found himself more interested in anything Akira and him talked about rather than watching the fish swim their rounds.
Goro smiles to himself. He really had it bad for Akira back then, huh? Maybe he should invite him out here sometime, just to indulge in old memories. While he wouldn’t call his time back then enjoyable, he supposes that apart from the uncomfortable knowledge that he was going to betray them, his moments with the Phantom Thieves and by extension his colleague Sae were some of his happiest.
Today he wants to actually take his time and appreciate the sea life, even if there’s a rowdy cat in his bag who salivates at the mere thought of anything scaly that swims.
He’s just tearing his eyes away from the lion fish after looking at them serenely floating in the water for way too long already—it appears peaceful fishes covered in venomous spikes are just his thing—when he spots a blue arrow on the ground. Curious, he walks closer and sees that it’s clumsily made with tape. He follows the way, which is not hard since it’s a single corridor anyways, until he arrives at an intersection.
A blue question mark is taped to the ground together with a note that, embarrassingly, spells out his name. It looks untouched by anyone else and Goro hastily picks it up before anyone can see.
It’s a simple fish-themed riddle in Sumire’s handwriting, a few comments by Akira stating that this is to reactivate all that marine knowledge he had crammed back then to impress the other.
Goro scoffs quietly. Akira really is a tad bit too unhinged in those notes and he’s eager to put him in his place already by acing every single challenge thrown his way today.
The riddle is fairly easy to solve, even for Morgana who gets it read after Goro is already done with it. He follows down the left path to the crustaceans, feeling giddy at the prospect of finding his way through the countless corridors of the aquarium just by demonstrating his knowledge.
It goes on like this for a while. Every few arrows there’s an intersection with a new question or riddle to solve.
“What is the tail fin of a fish called?” Goro reads aloud.
“Food!” Morgana answers enthusiastically.
“No, it’s the caudal fin. Easy one, we’re going that way.” Goro’s steps are quick and determined as he’s following the new path down. “Besides, you don’t want to eat that, trust me.”
Quiet, protesting meows come from the bag. “How are you so good at this? Give me a break!”
“Since your interest in marine life only concerns its nutritional value, I will continue to solve the challenges alone,” Goro says mockingly. “I don’t know about you, but I’m having fun.”
It’s only when they arrive at a waymark that consists of three question marks instead of one that Goro finds himself hesitating. The question is different this time. Neither can he rely on his knowledge for this, nor can he read up on the solution on the various information boards around him.
And on top of that, the way the riddle is phrased hits him straight in the feelings.
“What does it say? You’re taking so long,” Morgana peeks his head out from the bag.
Goro gnaws his lip. “This one’s different.”
“Read it out to me!”
He sighs and takes a deep breath, his eyes skimming over the words once more.
Can you remember which way we took on our first time here? It will lead you to my favourite sea creatures~ But maybe I just like them this much because the sight of you being mesmerised by them is something I’ll never forget in my life. If you need a hint: they possess a trait you seem to like in your sea creatures. I don’t judge haha.
Go left for tetra fish, straight ahead for jellyfish and right for axolotls 8D
“I can’t really remember much about that first trip, only bits and pieces of conversations we had,” Goro sighs.
Morgana hums. “So what do you like in fish? I like when they are savoury.”
“He probably thought of something stupid. It’s got something to do with mating habits, I just know it,” Goro groans. “Now where at the aquarium can I find the gay fishes...”
“Gay fishes?” Morgana yowls. “That’s a bit far-fetched, don’t you think?”
“Knowing Akira it has to be far-fetched.”
“Or you’re just overthinking it.”
Goro hates to admit that the cat has a point. Maybe it’s simpler than he thinks—after all, he has a tendency to arrive at the oddest conclusions, a habit that serves him well while watching crime shows and similar, but not in his day to day life.
So which way should he take now...?
“I think he means the jellyfish,” Goro mumbles slowly, but as soon as the guess is out in the open, he becomes more sure of it.
“Ooh, so you like them? I’ve never seen them before!” Morgana looks up at him with sparkling eyes. “Let’s go right now, I wanna see all the different jellyfishes!”
They walk through the dark corridors and past tanks full of different sea critters until they arrive in a circular room with a panoramic tank lining the walls.
Goro’s breath hitches in his chest. The display before him is simply ethereal to look at. Hundreds upon hundreds of translucent jellyfish float in the water, glowing a bright light blue that makes for a beautiful contrast against the darkness around them.
He steps closer, the only sounds in the room his steps echoing off the walls. Suddenly, he remembers being here before. Akira and him were standing just a bit too close, talking about how nice it would be to just be jellyfish and float in the water without a care in the world. No responsibility on their shoulders, not the weight of the world on their back.
Goro wishes he could go back and tell his younger self that it got better.
“Whoa,” he hears Morgana’s voice disrupt the silence. “Are those really fish?”
“Well, they are not exactly fish, even if the name suggests otherwise,” Goro says, transfixed on the shapes before him. “They are invertebrates, just like starfish or shrimp.”
Morgana sighs. “I don’t even know what that means. Hey, can they sting with those tendril things?”
And just like that, the pieces fall into place for Goro.
“... Oh. Yes, they can. As peaceful as they look, they are quite venomous,” he chuckles. “Just what I like in sea creatures. Let’s look for what those thieves dropped, shall we?”
It doesn’t take them long to find a blue envelope hidden below a bench.
Congratulations, Goro!!! You did it!!!
if you didn’t the spa coupon is mine alone hehe
Oh, right! You get a coupon for a spa weekend with Akira~ We have the original one, so just tell us when you need some time off and we’ll give it to you or make an appointment for you!
Can’t wait to take ugly selfies with us covered in facial masks and cucumbers
Send them to me when it happens!!!
Of course. You also get a kissy, honey~
And a hug!
and another kissy
Then another hug! >:)
chu chu~
Ah! About your next location! This time, you have to go to where we three had our first meeting as a trio! Once again, tell the nice people working there your name and everything will just fall into place~
Goro can’t help but let out a laugh. A spa day, huh? That sounds wonderful. Are the other presents he has to find coupons too? He’s eager to see what else the two have in store.
Before boarding the train back to Shibuya, he stops by the souvenir shop and gets an obnoxiously happy-looking jellyfish plushie for Akira.
Miel et crêpes hasn’t changed much in all these years. Except for a few additions to the menu and rotating staff, it’s still the same place as back then. Sometimes Goro likes to come here with Sumire—the café has always been one of his favourite choices for a secluded spot with tolerable coffee and good desserts.
Never before did he have to smuggle a cat in, though.
As he’s listening to an even more embarrassing monologue from the three waitresses this time, he feels shuffling in the bag that’s zipped shut and throws it over his shoulder for good measure. Morgana should know better than to cause a commotion—then again, Akira had to carry the little bastard around for the better part of a year and not once did anyone find out.
Only when he is left alone at a table to decide on his order and open the envelope likely holding the next challenge does he lean down and pull his bag into his lap. “Keep still or they will kick us out,” he hisses quietly.
“But I wanna eat too!”
“Behave yourself and I’ll get you something from the grocery store afterwards.”
He skims over the menu and decides on just a drink, still feeling a bit full from the curry, then opens the envelope. Another two notes fall out. He decides to read the scrap paper first.
Okay good news, your meal is covered, bad news... You’re probably not even hungry because we sent you to Leblanc earlier! :(
But in any case, here’s your next challenge! You have to replicate our orders from the first time we were here~ There’s a paper slip with our names where you can write it down! You have to act really well when the waitress comes to take the order and pretend to order for us, don’t worry, she won’t bring you all three orders. (I think? ^^)
Goro frowns. What a strange challenge. How would he know so many things that lie five years in the past?
Then again, his memory is unusually good and both Sumire and Akira must know that. They probably took a picture or something back then, otherwise they wouldn’t remember it themselves.
Goro picks up a ballpoint pen and hovers over the paper. He remembers getting coffee because he dropped by Leblanc just the next day only to remind himself how real coffee should taste like. But what did Sumire and Akira get? He desperately searches his mind for anything, any piece of conversation that could give it away.
Right. They talked about crêpes. One of them ordered a plate of those and coffee. There was also a cocktail involved, if he remembers right—he remembers looking at the gaudy paper umbrella and tinsel party picker and wondering how such useless decoration could contribute to the experience. It was dark red, probably cherry-flavoured.
Goro has a good feeling about his choice. Now he only needs to remember who picked what. Morgana could probably help, but confined to the bag, Goro wouldn’t want to give in and let him out for this challenge after reprimanding him. He wouldn’t hear the end of it.
He takes his time to think about it, but arrives at the conclusion that it fits better for Sumire to have picked coffee and crêpes and Akira the cherry cocktail.
Goro writes down the order he decided upon, going by his gut feeling. He vaguely remembers that Akira doesn’t like crêpes—he never got any when Goro stopped by the small crêpe shop in Shibuya. Ordering a cocktail in a café is his own brand of rebellious. Sumire on the other hand likes crêpes and would have probably ordered one.
When Goro looks up to seek out a waitress, he sees that one is already coming over to him. Repressing the urge to sigh as she’s clearly not satisfied with the paper slip alone, he puts on his most charming smile and pretends to order for his two friends running late too.
He’s pleased to see that she returns with only a single coffee and an envelope in a familiar blue. Goro thanks her and opens the wrapping of the Lotus biscuit to discreetly drop it into his bag, kicking it lightly when he hears pleased meowing from the inside.
Then he goes to open the envelope, hands shaking in excitement at having obtained another one.
Whoohoo! I knew you could do it!
gosh I HATE crepes.
How could you? D:
It’s more the texture than the taste. Too thin, too... dry. Pancakes are fine tho B)
Anyway! You won a coupon! Drum roll... you and me are going to do an escape room together! It’s scheduled for two months from now on, so you’ll have plenty of time to take a vacation day :)
Without me. I’m hurt ;(
Nawww but you two have a coupon together too ^^
Who says he will find it?
Senpai will!!! We will give him all the coupons sooner or later anyways~
Your next stop is where you lived before we moved in together. It’s where you spent a lot of time just waiting around for me ;*
I spent a lot of time there too! Remember how we used to get lunch together? ^^
yeah but Goro needs to go to the specific place he stood in front of you know?
Oh! That makes sense! Good luck then!!!
Goro pockets the note with a smile and takes a sip of his coffee. Better than the last time he was here, but not as good as Akira’s. A bit too much on the sweet side. Now that he has the confirmation, it’s plain evident that Akira isn’t too keen on crêpes and coffee in this place.
An escape room sounds right up his alley. He wonders if Sumire could keep up with him, but then again, that’s probably arrogant of him to think. Sumire has proven time and time again that her wit is sharp and her mind fast, able to match his pace and sometimes even put him in his place. Goro would hate it normally, but in her case, he feels more like a proud senpai.
He wants nothing more right now than to find Akira and Sumire, hold them close to him and never let them go. Who else can say they have a friend and a partner who would do something like that? He can truly count himself lucky.
If he could, he would savour his coffee and indulge in old memories, but as it stands, he has a hungry and impatient cat grumpily waiting in his bag. Thanking the staff and buying a box of confectionery to gift Sumire later, he exits the café and unzips the bag halfway.
Morgana immediately pokes his head out, yawning loudly. “Finally! It’s so stuffy in there! Did you do it?”
“Our next stop is Kichijoji,” Goro says, adjusting the bag, his shoulder feeling a bit sore by now.
“No, our next stop is the grocery store,” Morgana purrs.
Goro chuckles. “Of course. But nothing too expensive.”
A package of grilled salmon and a train ride later, Goro finds himself at the Penguin Sniper lounge. It’s busy this time of day, but he’s pleasantly surprised to find the customers sitting at the bar and enjoying their afternoon drinks rather than taking up the games.
Preparing for another overdramatic monologue, he’s almost disappointed when the bartender only slides him a soda and a white envelope over the table. He sends him over to a free table next to the dart boards.
I hope you don’t feel weird being alone in a bar ^^”
Technically you’re not alone (hopefully?)
Ohhh, right!
Morgana is excellent at darts. Maybe even better than you. don’t forget that
Gasp! Are you trying to rile Goro up?
hell yeah I am. I hope Mr. 701 practiced because he’ll play a round today 8D
If you win, you’re gonna get something special~
Have fun~ don’t worry the people here are cool with a cat playing darts
Goro shouldn’t have drunk the soda while reading because he promptly chokes on it. “Playing darts with a cat. Why is this not even surprising me,” he wheezes, unzipping the bag.
Morgana jumps out and on the table, stretching and looking as smug as ever. “It seems my services are required to advance,” he says dramatically, and suddenly Goro knows who got the theatrical monologue this time.
“You little shit knew all this time,” he bites out. “Could have at least helped me with the jellyfish question.”
Morgana cackles like a witch that is about to transform Goro into a frog. “Why, I told you about my unwavering loyalty! You better play nice or I’m gonna keep your present all to myself!”
Goro bites back a few choice words, mostly because people are starting to look at the crazy guy talking to his cat and because in all honesty, he’s not even that irritated with him. It makes sense for Akira to tell his best friend everything about this, after all.
“Fine. Let’s see how useful those paws of yours really are,” Goro says and starts up the machine. 701, just like in old times. Nowadays, he and Akira have their own dart board at home, but nothing beats the atmosphere of this place.
Morgana hums and sits up on two legs, eerily human-like. Feeling like the craziest man alive, Goro puts the darts in front of him, then takes a step back and readies his own. “This has to look insane.”
“Hey! Don’t offend me or I’ll aim at that stupid big head of yours!”
“I have no qualms about aiming back.”
A bit of banter later and Goro finally aims his darts. It then occurs to him that he should probably settle on a strategy beforehand. With Akira, he plays seamlessly, their strategy working like clockwork and only ever failing when Akira decides to concentrate on impressing on Goro with weird poses rather than aiming properly. But how would a literal cat play?
“Morgana, why don’t you go first?” Goro asks and lowers his arm.
“Take a step back and learn from the best,” the cat smirks.
Goro’s eyes go wide as he watches him aim and actually get a hat trick without as much as taking a breath in between.
“Easy,” Morgana purrs smugly. “Your turn!”
Goro’s arm raises slowly, almost automatically for the high five that Morgana delivers with a determined jump. “What the fuck,” he mumbles. “What the actual fuck...”
Morgana cackles smugly. “Less talking, more playing.”
By now, Goro is sure that giving salmon to the cat was a mistake.
To his relief, he still manages to aim all his shots right, going toe to toe with Morgana on the hat tricks. The number gradually falls down until only 101 points are left for Morgana to get.
“Don’t disappoint me,” Goro mumbles, delivering a high five and promptly recoiling with a hiss. “Watch the claws!”
“Sorry, getting excited,” Morgana says and seemingly clumsily picks up his darts between his paws. Before he can throw, though, he hesitates. “Uh... wait, if I mess this up, it falls back on you, right? Oh...”
“Exactly,” Goro scoffs, but his face softens as he sees that Morgana is genuinely worried now. It’s just a coupon, it’s not like the world will end. But Goro thinks he might understand the pressure.
Feeling awkward like never before, Goro steps a bit closer and scratches Morgana under the chin. “I believe in you. Now throw those darts already, you can do it.”
Morgana purrs and leans into the contact. When Goro retreats, he straightens his back and aims with his paws held high. “Alright! Of course I can do it, Akira trusted me with this, after all!”
To Goro’s surprise, the darts don’t miss their goal and when Morgana scores the final point, he chuckles and scratches the cat’s head once again. “So getting you salmon was a good idea.”
“Getting me salmon is always a good idea!”
Morgana jumps off the table and proudly struts towards a potted plant in the corner, returning with two envelopes in his mouth.
Goro gently takes them from him and helps him back up on the table. “Hidden in plain sight and two this time, huh.”
“Open the blue one first!”
I can’t believe you played darts with a cat lmao
We should have set up a camera or something!
In any case, you win a coupon to my heart :*
And to mine~!
and one for a road trip. A real one you know. Just us three and Morgana~
You two can drive, so we can rent an RV or something and travel all over Japan!
I know you want to babe, your hundreds of worried and jealous phone calls during that one summer vacation didn’t go unnoticed
Imagine how cool it will be! We will drive everywhere we want, see the sights together, fall asleep under the starry sky, eat Senpai’s good food every day...
You’ll get the full experience of crowded parking lots and baby cries at 2am lol
It can’t be that bad, right? ^^
:)
... Anyway! If you’re reading this note, you still haven’t caught up to us!
oh no I hope the hot detective won’t find us in our super secret hideout
Yeah! I hope the music isn’t too loud, otherwise he might hear us from over the street!
oh no it would be such a shame if the detective arrests me I’m getting all warm just thinking about it
Maybe you’re getting a bit too into this, Senpai? ^^”
Mhm never~ by the way, did you open that other envelope yet, honey?
Goro lets the note drop on the table and a chuckle escapes him. He should be annoyed at Akira continuously teasing him like this with no way for him to counter, but every line in the note made him feel warmer and warmer. He thinks family or love might be strong words, but if he could choose to be surrounded by any people in the world for the rest of his life, he wouldn’t change a single thing.
“Are those notes that good?” Morgana asks in confusion. “I haven’t seen you smiling this much in ages.”
“Maybe we should spend more time together, then.” The words slip out of Goro before he can think them over and he quickly adds: “You’re actually tolerable when fed well.”
Morgana huffs and swipes at his hand playfully. “Don’t be so grumpy, you love me!”
Goro chooses not to answer to that and instead opens the second envelope. He stills as he comes face to face with another note, the first one that’s not on scrap paper but on colourful, floral letter paper, and a small, flat paper bag that holds a circular object that feels like a bottle cap or something similar.
“You might want to settle down properly for this,” Morgana’s voice is suddenly a lot quieter and serious. It doesn’t help to still Goro’s curiosity, but heeding the advice, he still pulls a stool closer and sinks down on it, then reads the note, written by Akira in handwriting neater than he has ever seen by him before.
Suddenly, it dawns on him that what’s in that bag is definitely not a bottle cap and warmth rushes to his cheeks. It can’t be, can it?
Hey Goro,
So I’ve been carrying this little thing around for the better part of a year, but never found the right moment to bring it up. I don’t know if you’ve opened the paper bag yet. If you don’t you’ve got a hell of a surprise waiting~
From the moment I’ve met you, I was drawn to you and even after five years, most of which were spent in blissful domesticity with you, I still find myself staying in bed a moment longer than I should just to have a chance to see that sleepy smile on your face should you wake up, open your eyes and see me.
You complete me in every way, yet you know how to keep me in check. I know you’d steal diamonds with me, but I also know that you’d be the first person to drag me back from rushing headfirst into danger.
You’re probably wondering why I couldn’t do this in person, right? Sorry in advance. I wanted to give you a real choice without pressure, you see. I know you’re still struggling with settling down. I don’t even know if it’s the right thing for you. And I... still can’t believe you chose me, haha. But if you’ll have me, if you’re sure of it, you can always put this on your finger yourself. It’s entirely your choice now without any pressure. You don’t even have to tell me. And I don’t care if it takes a year or ten. I was ready to wait a lifetime for you before, I’ll do it again if you ask me to. And if all this is not your thing—well, trade that ring in for some cash and treat me to dinner, okay~?
I love you.
Akira
He only feels the tears running down his face when Morgana nuzzles his head against his hand. “What do you think?” He asks softly, purring and rubbing against his arm.
Goro swallows. Wipes hastily at his face. Then takes a deep breath and tries to force his shaky limbs to stay still.
“He’s such an idiot.” There’s nothing but affection in his voice, breaking on a stifled sob.
“But he’s your idiot.”
“I know.”
His eyes glass over once again as he reaches into the small paper bag, pulling out what he now knows is a ring. It feels cold to the touch and when it emerges, Goro’s breath hitches in his throat.
It’s a simple, silver band with a ruby red gemstone in the middle of it, catching light and reflecting it into all directions. It’s held protectively inside a pair of delicately crafted wings and it takes Goro a moment to recognise them as Arsène’s, the memory of imposing wings as black as the night so fresh on his mind as if it was yesterday that he became infatuated with Joker and all the masks he wore.
His fingers tremble as he caresses the pattern softly, coming to a halt when he touches the gemstone and sees the red of it contrast against his skin.
It’s the red of Joker’s gloves. The red of Goro’s eyes. The red of the blood he spilt on that fateful day in the interrogation room. The red Akira’s lips were when he had kissed them for hours and hours upon reuniting.
The red that will bind him to Akira in a hopefully lifelong promise, should he choose to put the ring on.
Wiping at his nose with his sleeve, Goro desperately tries to force the tears back, but it’s hard. There’s a storm raging inside him, emotions swirling together that make him feel dizzy and lightheaded. He’s almost glad Akira isn’t here, otherwise he’s not sure what stupid things would tumble out of his mouth.
Morgana is about to say something when Goro chokes out the thought that reigns dominantly over all the others: “Why me?”
The cat blinks at him. “Why not?”
And then he can’t hold back and laughs, not caring in the least bit about all the people around him that are likely staring at him, the weirdo who’s cry-laughing over a simple note and talking to his cat.
“Why not indeed.”
They were made for each other, after all.
To calm down and just in case Akira and Sumire need more time to prepare whatever they have planned for the end of Goro’s little adventure, he plays a few more rounds of darts with Morgana. The ring sits snug in his pocket, a promise Akira gave to him. One that he is all too eager to return—if today or tomorrow or in a year, he doesn’t know yet.
But he knows that he will.
When they pack up and get ready to head to Jazz Jin, Goro finds his mind straying. He never really thought of himself as the type who would marry and settle down, but he has to admit that putting a ring on Akira and making it even more permanent than it already is has a certain appeal to it. Not to mention the celebrations. Aside from seeing Akira in a suit matching his own, the opportunity to show the whole world he is his alone is tempting.
Sumire would of course be the maid of honour. Akira would likely have Sakamoto be his best man, no getting around that, but Goro recently warmed up to him and thinks he can tolerate him this close for a day. Morgana could even be the ring bearer-
“Are you thinking about the proposal?”
Morgana’s smug voice brings him out of his reverie as they exit Penguin Sniper. He looks down at him and scoffs. “Well, it’s not technically a proposal, is it?”
The cat stretches his paws out towards the sky and lets out content meowing. “I never understood why humans marry, to be honest. Is it some kind of proof of love?”
“Tax benefits,” Goro says dryly. “Festivities are just an act anyways. You pour all your money and time into it for one single day where everyone vaguely in your circle assembles in a single room and gets to eat food you had to buy for them.”
“But that’s not how you really feel, is it?” Morgana has a knowing glint in his eyes. “I don’t think Akira proposed for tax benefits, you know.”
“Don’t,” Goro scoffs. “I... don’t think I’m ready for that train of thought.”
Morgana smirks. “He knew that too.”
Of course he did. Always one step ahead of Goro.
Goro starts to make his way down the street, eager to finally meet up with the two thieves responsible for the mess of emotions he’s currently finding himself in, but stops dead in his tracks when his eyes fall on a particular shop that he never paid much attention to before.
... But that’s precisely why they are rivals, right? Because Goro would always try to catch up to him and be the competition the other craves. And Akira is exactly the same. They have always completed each other like that.
Making the most spontaneous decision in all his life, Goro turns and walks towards the jewellery shop, a confused Morgana looking around from where he sits in his bag.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“To beat Akira at his own game.”
Only when his phone rings does Goro realise that an hour has passed already. Sighing, he puts down what he has finally settled on and picks up, giving an apologetic smile to the salesperson.
“Yes, honey?” Goro answers in his sweetest voice.
“Uh, just checking in to see if you got lost,” Akira’s voice comes from the other end of the line. “Still having fun with the challenges?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Goro purrs and looks down at the ring on the plush cushion, already imagining it on Akira. “In fact, I’m having the time of my life right now, darling.”
Akira only has time to let out a confused “huh” before Goro hangs up without another word. He has an important purchase to get back to, after all.
“I’m sorry, my fiancé can become quite worried when I’m out for too long,” he smiles serenely at the salesperson. “Luckily I’ve finally made my choice. I’ll pay in rates.”
Jazz Jin is eerily quiet when he pushes the door open. There’s not a single sound coming from inside—Goro would feel weirded out if he didn’t know better. Carefully, yet with excitement running through his veins, he makes his way down the stairs.
The lights are on, but no one seems to be in sight. Well, apart from the presences he can clearly feel hiding behind him. Years of traversing the metaverse will do that to you.
Goro hears the quiet footsteps coming up to him, smiles and lets Akira tackle him into a hug from behind.
“Gotcha!”
He twists in the embrace until he comes face to face with his grinning boyfriend, spotting an amused Muhen standing behind him. “Aren’t I supposed to say that? I finally caught those treacherous thieves, after all.” Goro pulls him in and gives him a single, short kiss. Akira leans in eagerly and steals a second one before separating, true to his title.
“Oh no, whatever shall we do?” he sing-songs and pulls a key out of his pocket, twirling it around his finger. “Seems like we’ll just have to lock you in here and hold you hostage.”
Goro tears his gaze away from the almost hypnotising motions of the key to look at Muhen with a frown. “You gave this showoff the key just like that?”
“He wanted to be flashy. As long as he returns it, I don’t care.” Muhen shrugs and comes over while Akira goes to lock the door with a grin. “Happy birthday, Akechi-kun.” He pats him on the back and gestures in. “Club’s all yours tonight. Pick your table.”
“How much did they pay you?” Goro smirks.
Muhen laughs. “A month of free coffee and curry at the café he works at.”
“Don’t tell Sojiro!” Akira shouts from where he fumbles with the door.
Goro smiles fondly and puts his bag down, unzipping it. “And what about you? Did you fall asleep or something? You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“Hey, I’m just guarding your ri- mmphh!”
Goro tightens his grip on the feline mouth and leans closer, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. “Don’t say another word if you value your life.”
He lets Morgana go with another warning glare. The cat immediately scrambles out of the bag and runs towards Akira. “Mean!” He shouts behind him at Goro, who scoffs and ignores him.
Akira’s face lights up once he hears Morgana and he turns to scoop the cat up. “There’s my little meow meow,” he coos. “Was Goro good to you?”
Purring and snuggling up to him, Morgana says: “Mostly.”
“So he’s allowed to call you a cat, but I’m not?” Goro scoffs.
Morgana gives him the side-eye. “That’s different.”
In that moment, Goro hears the door to the backrooms open and like a newborn deer, Sumire stumbles out on shaking legs—or at least what he thinks must be Sumire because the cake she’s holding in front of her obscures her face completely.
“Oh God, let me help with that,” Goro rushes over, taking the surprisingly heavy plate from her and putting it on a nearby table carefully.
She seems relieved and immediately jumps him as soon as the cake is safely put down. “Goro-kun! You’re finally here!” Her face burrows into his chest and her arms squeeze the life out of him, but Goro can’t find it in himself to mind.
“There, there,” he mumbles and pats her back awkwardly. “It’s not like we haven’t seen each other just a few days ago.”
“But it wasn’t your birthday back then!” Sumire says and lets him go to flash him a sunny smile. “Happy birthday, Goro-kun!”
“Thank you, Sumire-chan,” Goro smiles. “I... had a lot of fun with your little scavenger hunt. I didn’t expect you two to have prepared even more.”
“Muhen-san was kind enough to offer us this place so we could throw you a surprise party,” she chuckles.
Goro grins and looks over his shoulder. “You’re growing soft.”
Muhen crosses his arms and laughs. “Okay, so they only promised me free food after I already offered, you got me. Now come and help with the rest of the preparations, you two.”
They get plates and while Muhen puts soft jazz music on, Goro carefully cuts the cake into even pieces, scooping a bit of the whipped cream up and putting it on an extra plate for Morgana.
As he recounts the day together with his feline companion and listens to Akira’s and Sumire’s stories about how their preparations went and where they got their ideas from, Goro thinks there’s no better place in the world for him. Back in his teenage years, he would have never believed that his 23rd birthday would start with him in his shared apartment with the love of his life—soon fiancé, or is he already?—and end in a surprise party with his favourite people in the world that love him unconditionally, something that he’s still learning to accept.
“I still don’t get why you talk with that cat as if you can understand it,” Muhen sighs and rolls up his sleeves, walking over to the grand piano. “Does it have a request?”
“Something funky!” Morgana shouts enthusiastically.
Goro chuckles. “Go wild. He wants something to dance to.”
“Now you got me curious.” Muhen gives him a grin before sinking down on the stool, immediately starting to work his magic, playing a quick and upbeat blues.
Akira immediately rushes to the dance floor with Morgana. “Time to dance!”
Morgana protests loudly, but Akira grips him tight by the forepaws, swinging him around in what Goro thinks is supposed to be rhythmical. He can almost feel the vertigo Morgana must be getting just by looking at the pair.
Smirking to himself, he reaches down into his bag and lets the small, velvety box glide into his pockets. There’s no better chance to take it than now while Akira is busy, after all. Maybe he would find a nice, quiet moment later to slip the contents onto his finger.
“I saw that, Goro-kun,” Sumire suddenly says from right behind him and Goro jumps in his seat, letting out an undignified squeak.
“No, you didn’t,” he glares at her.
She chuckles, giving him a knowing look. “What were we talking about? Anyway, let’s have a dance!”
Goro lets himself be pulled out of his seat. “I don’t have much practice with dancing,” he says. “Don’t expect a stellar performance from me.”
Akira and Morgana are trying to perform synchronised tricks by now, which looks more endearing than impressive, if Goro is honest. He leaves them be and falls into a simple dance with Sumire, laughing as she attempts to lead and spin him.
The evening goes on like that, with a brief interlude where Goro bashfully hands over the things he bought for both Akira and Sumire, mumbling his thanks for what might certainly be the best birthday he ever had. Akira is delighted by the plushie and even lets Morgana go in favour of hugging it tightly to his body, while Sumire runs off with the chocolates as soon as Morgana starts pawing at them and only returns when the whole box is empty.
Muhen has just gone to the bar to refill their drinks when a song starts playing that Goro knows all too well, immediately feeling warmth in his chest as the first notes play.
Akira tugs on his sleeve excitedly. “Let’s have a dance,” he says and Goro already finds himself getting up.
“I’m... gonna put the rest of the cake into the fridge!” Sumire says ominously and skips to the backrooms, notably with no cake in her hands. Goro flushes at her obviousness, but Akira doesn’t seem to have noticed as he’s pulling him on the floor, catching him in a soft embrace.
Goro smiles, winds his arms around Akira’s neck and leans their foreheads together. This moment is probably the best chance he will have tonight.
His heart beats wildly in his chest as they sway softly to the music and it takes all he has to not get overwhelmed by the emotion.
“Akira, I...”
“Did you get the ring, honey?”
Akira has the smuggest grin on his face and it breaks the spell immediately for Goro.
He unceremoniously kicks him in the shin.
“Ouch!”
“Don’t ruin the moment. Of course I did.” Goro sighs.
“So you’ve read the note too?” Akira’s grin makes way for a way softer smile, bashful at the edges. “In truth, I’ve wanted to tell you so much more... but I feel like those few sentences got the point across better.”
“So self-satisfied,” Goro sighs, but he can’t resist pressing a short kiss to the other’s blushing cheeks. He lets a hand drop from Akira’s shoulders and searches his pockets, opening the little box discreetly. “You know, sometimes I can’t stand how sappy you are.”
“That’s code for you love me,” Akira purrs, his eyes locked on Goro’s, unaware of what Goro is planning.
There’s a retort on the tip of his tongue, but Goro swallows it down. It takes everything in his willpower to say the next words, even if they have probably left his lips a thousand times before. “... I do. I love you.”
Akira’s expression goes from contentment to surprise and then bright joy, the sweetest smile on his face. “Goro...” He leans in for a kiss but separates just a few moments later when Goro takes his right hand, fumbles around and more or less shoves the ring on his ring finger. It fits perfectly and he feels relieved knowing that he got Akira’s ring size exactly right.
Akira looks down confusedly, holding his hand up. “Uh, what?” When his eyes fall on the ring, they widen and he gasps, staring at it in disbelief. The gemstones on the onyx black band that looks as if two are intertwined shine and sparkle beautifully in the low lights of the jazz club—bright red and smaller ones in dark purple, a remainder of their shared past.
“I can’t have you be the first one to put a ring on the other,” Goro smirks. “Now put this on me too, I wanna see how it looks on me.” He presses the little paper bag into Akira’s shaky hands.
Akira just stares at it, then back at Goro, his lips quivering. “You- You actually got competitive over an engagement, huh? Oh wait. We’re engaged now, I guess.” He takes a deep breath. “Holy shit.” He holds his hand up in front of his face, staring at the ring with parted lips and flushed cheeks. “Holy... shit.”
Goro knows that he will never feel more self-satisfied than in this exact same moment, seeing Akira—flirty, witty, usually so smooth Akira—at a loss for words as he desperately avoids Goro’s eyes, every muscle in his being shaking.
“Why so surprised? By now you must know that I’m the only one who can keep up with you,” Goro says teasingly. “Who can surpass you.”
That brings a familiar spark of challenge back to Akira’s eyes. “We’re not done yet,” he mumbles, taking the ring out and carelessly discarding the bag somewhere to his side.
Goro lets him pull his left hand up, but just as he expects Akira to slide the ring on him, maybe make a flirty remark or two, Akira instead raises his knuckles to his lips and kisses them one by one, holding deep eye contact.
Heat rises to Goro’s cheeks. “Pretentious,” he stammers. “Put it on already, the song will end soon.”
“Now who’s the sappy one?” Akira chuckles, but complies and finally slides the band over his ring finger, gently and agonisingly slow, as if trying to prolong the moment.
He’s opening his mouth as if to say something, but the instant the ring sits snugly on his finger, Goro surges in for a kiss, capturing the other’s lips as if to shut him up.
After all, Goro doesn’t think he can last one more word without tearing up.
The moment soon gets interrupted by Sumire cheering and Muhen popping a bottle, but Goro finds that he doesn’t mind at all. The ensuing conversation about their engagement gives him a chance to catch a break, and God knows he needs one.
How could he ever repay them? After all, they managed to make a day filled with trauma and disappointment a loving memory that would stay with him for a long time. Not to mention the gifts—he’s looking forward to the road trip the most. Sumire and him missed out on the first one, and no matter how stressful it was for the Phantom Thieves in the end, Goro yearns to experience all the things they love to talk about time and time again: seeing all the sights Japan has to offer, tasting the local cuisine, participating in festivals and most of all make new memories together as a group.
Goro stares at the band on his hand. Sometimes it all feels like the calm before the storm. As if everything he has now could be taken from him in an instant. But the ring on his finger is a promise, one that he wants to uphold too and do the most he can every day to look forwards into the future instead of being frozen in time. After all, he knows he has wonderful people and a lovable feline companion around him who understand.
“What are you thinking about?”
Sumire’s voice brings him out of it. Goro takes a deep breath and smiles softly at her.
“Nothing in particular. Let’s have another dance before the night is over, shall we?”
When he gets home later that night, the first thing he does is look up whose birthday it is next.