Chapter Text
“We’ll need an extra hand on this case.”
“I’m supposed to be taking a break,” comes the dry response. He looks up from his work, files open, a desk littered with case notes, pictures, contact information, everything. Not an inch of his desk can be seen. He needs a break. He already promised him he would take one.
“Yes, and so are we, but this is serious. Have you forgotten your deal?”
How could he when they so kindly remind him every single minute of every single day?
“I’m well aware of the circumstances of my current freedom,” doesn’t change the fact that he very much has a life outside of this — one that he would like to keep stable and happy. Missed phone calls and unanswered texts clutter his phone. The responses went from lengthy rants to general small talk — which he hates more than anything now — to not being able to muster the energy to open the text.
He’ll do it later. But later is an eternity until there is no later .
He’s more distant than before and he knows that it’s ruining everything he tried to preserve. But… If it means no more failures. If it means cutting out all the loose ends, he’ll do what he has to. Hate him or not, they will live . Whether it’s together or separated by the distance he has inadvertently wedged between them in an attempt to protect them… he’ll do it.
“Come on, we don’t have all day. You can get your break when it’s done.”
“I’ve heard that one before. Multiple times. I practically live in this office now and that wasn’t in my terms. In fact, I believe I said that I would be allowed to use my leave uninterrupted.”
“You haven’t left yet, have you?”
No, but he was very close to it. So close.
His phone buzzes three times in a row. Text messages. He briefly checks it.
Akira Kurusu.
He clicks his tongue. He needs to reply. He will. Later .
-0-0-0-
“Still no response from Akechi, huh?” Morgana asks as they sit on the train. Akira shakes his head staring at the phone. It’s a one-sided conversation spanning almost a month now. He claims it doesn’t bother him, but it does. God , does it. Maybe he’s too clingy now. The weight of their still fresh scars makes him act in ways that probably aren’t conducive for his mental health, but he can’t help but be worried. He promised to call, promised to reply, promised to keep in touch, but he hasn’t done any of those things. Not in a while.
“He’s okay, Akira,” Morgana reassures him. “I’m sure they’re just keeping him busy. They had him working so soon after everything was resolved, I bet it’s only gotten worse.” Morgana hesitates before adding, “He didn’t even get a chance to see you off when you left. He had to show up a week earlier.”
Akira didn’t need to be reminded of that, but maybe that was an early sign of how bad things would get.
“It was just supposed to be about Shido and his connections,” Akira grumbles, though he knows he shouldn’t be complaining. ‘His connections’ span far in this world. Akira can’t imagine how many there are and how hard it must be to get enough evidence to hold them accountable for the things they have done. If they don’t, Akira imagines they’ll be put on watch until they’ve done something that they can be arrested for.
That being said, they’ve completely consumed Akechi’s life. That can be the only reason Akechi hasn’t reached out to him. It doesn’t make it better that he promised he would take a break and see Akira since he’s visiting the area again, yet… it seems as if that won’t be happening. That plan was discussed last month, but around that time was also when his responses began to grow sparse and he seemed to be less engaged in all of their conversations.
Akira won’t lie and say he isn’t hurt that work has become a priority over himself or Akechi’s health, but he doesn’t know all of the conditions that were set in his release — though, it truly feels like he hasn’t been released at all, but stuck in a different kind of prison. Never free from work, constantly trapped in a headspace that if he doesn’t do anything now, he’ll screw them all over later.
Akira doesn’t think he did enough to convince Akechi that a lot of what happened was a result of Dr. Maruki’s twisted powers and loss of control.
“We’ll have fun seeing the others though! It’s been too long!”
It has, in a sense, been too long. After seeing someone every day, but also in such a tumultuous situation, Akira finds that he’s just as paranoid about the others as he is Akechi. That being said, they respond to text messages and are the ones blowing up the group chat — one Akira knows Akechi has since silenced.
They all arranged to meet up over the summer. Even Haru and Makoto will be back. Akira supposes he should at least be happy this plan worked out.
“Let’s enjoy the break, alright Akira?” Morgana insists. “You deserve it. I know everything that went down with Dr. Maruki is still on your mind and it will take a while for all of us to heal, but you haven’t really let yourself unwound from that just yet…”
“You don’t think so?” Akira glances at Morgana who shakes his head.
“If anything, I think you’ve become even more stressed out. Is it the distance?” Akira shrugs — he didn’t think he was that tense about it. “You need a break Akira. To just relax and finally take a deep breath. It feels like you’ve been on edge, expecting us to... “ the word reset hangs on his tongue but he doesn’t dare utter it. “We won’t. We’re out for good.”
And Akira doesn’t know if that’s worse. We won’t. Yes, if something happens to Akechi, he won’t know right away because they won’t reset. Will he even be called or will Sae be called? Will she call him? He won’t know anything until he hears it from someone else if something happened to Akechi. Which is why the silence is so painful. He doesn’t know anything and being out of the loop is somehow just as frightening as before. They’re in unknown territory technically. Akira doesn’t want a repeat of his life that occurred when they met that “fake ending.” He wasn’t happy then at all. He was lost and confused and he hadn’t spent nearly as much time in the loop as he has now. Now… he’s been conditioned to know what to expect and being thrown out into a world that actually changes , well, that’s, that’s terrifying and exciting. And they’re already doing things they didn’t do before. Akechi spends much of his life trying to solve case after case for their sake — he also isn’t allowing himself to move on until he resolves this — and them going on this summer trip.
Things are much different. It’s a comforting thought and not all at the same time.
“How are you holding up Morgana?” Akira asks after a moment.
“I’m alright,” he replies slowly. “It’s been three months and I’m still getting used to things myself. Actually… living I guess. It’s strange, you’re stuck in something for so long and suddenly we’re getting thrust into a world that wants you to make every single choice and take steps that weren’t walked by you ten thousand times before… Yeah, I’m still getting used to it too so I can’t scold you too much.” He yawns, “Hard to believe it’s been so long though.”
Akira agrees. It is put into perspective that time is truly passing. That they are truly living now and Akira needs to relearn what it means to exist and live. It’s a slow process — one he would have liked to have done with all of his friends together, but they all have their own way of handling things.
“I don’t like bringing him up but… have you heard anything from Dr. Maruki since then?” Morgana asks.
“You mean since he offered us that taxi ride?” Akira huffs a laugh. “No. I truly haven’t this time.”
“Alright,” Morgana nods. “I take it that’s a good sign.”
Akira shrugs, “I imagine he’s re-evaluating things after all of that.”
“You were the last person to talk to him after that main fight in the palace. We thought you were going to get crushed in there,” Morgana confesses after a moment. “You never told us what happened in there — not that you have to, but it seems like that finally got through to him.”
“I hope it did,” Akira leans against the window. “I think it did.”
-0-0-0-
“Man is it good to see you again!” Ryuji grins brightly from ear to ear. Akira is too, sitting in one of the booths in Leblanc after being thoroughly surprised by the others. It’s nice to be surprised by the little things rather than a life or death situation. Akira won’t deny that he was slightly panicked to walk into a dark Leblanc — all too reminiscent of previous visions that hit Akira moments before a reset, but he reminded himself that he was out of that.
And they kindly reminded him that they are all okay when they jumped out of their hiding spot with party poppers.
“How have you been? Things alright back home?” Futaba asks looking him and Morgana up and down.
Akira smiles at her, “Things are fine. Parents are fine.”
They are, now that Akira isn’t in trouble and his name was cleared. Things are a lot better and Akira remembers their reactions from the last time — they were distant, unhappy and maybe that was a further sign that things weren’t right. Now, there’s a sense of relief, trying to work on rekindling the relationship and close the distance that grew as Akira spent time away. He doesn’t remember keeping much contact with his parents in that “fake ending” after leaving but he hopes that things will be better this time around.
“Good,” Futaba folds her arms triumphantly as if she might have had a word with his parents if they weren’t treating him well. He wonders if she remembers how they treated him before.
Akira enjoys being around them. They easily fall back in the same rhythm as before. The usual banter. Cracking jokes, laughing, having a good time. Eating food and figuring out what they plan on doing for the summer. Truthfully, Akira wouldn’t mind just relaxing and working a few hours in the cafe to help out Boss, but he doesn’t think the others will just let him live that mundane life. And a part of him greatly appreciates that push. He finds an odd comfort falling back into old habits — some that aren’t necessarily good for him. So he appreciates them checking him on that even if it isn’t purposeful.
“Summer vacation should be eventful! Camping…”
“A barbecue,” Futaba adds which Yusuke immediately perks up at — of course, he would. And they all can’t help but laugh at his reaction, though it’s still concerning how hungry he is all the time.
“By the way…” Makoto pushes a lock of hair behind her ear. “You should invite Akechi.”
“Uh,” Akira startles a little at the suggestion and he knows he’s hesitating too much for his own good. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Futaba nods. “I think it would be good.”
“Oh?” Akira is dumbfounded and Futaba huffs a little.
“We’ve been over this. Yes , I don’t necessarily like him. Yes, being in his company isn’t necessarily my favorite thing in the world. But he’s your boyfriend and I’m sure you would love to spend time with him over the summer too.”
That he would if he could even get in contact with him in the first place. But they don’t need to know that. He knows they’ll all have a lot of opinions about that if he says anything.
“Agreed,” Haru says and glances at Makoto who nods with a small smile. It’s subtle, but Akira is used to the small exchanges — he’s experienced them with Akechi and a part of his brain still remembers seeing that in their future past. It’s fascinating what things remain consistent no matter what. “Besides, I think we all agreed while actively fighting the loop that he has been the biggest help to all of us and definitely made a lot of sacrifices. We can’t go on hating him. It’s exhausting for everyone involved.” She takes a deep breath, “So go ahead and invite him.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t respond to the group chat. Probably has it muted,” Ryuji grumbles.
“I’m pretty sure Akira and I came to that conclusion too,” Morgana shakes his head. “He’s been busy though, so we’ll see.”
“Ah, yes. I suppose he’s still busy as a private detective, yes?” Yusuke inquires. Akira swallows and Morgana pauses a moment before looking at Akira before realization appears to settle in. It wasn’t Akira’s intention to hide any of this from them. He just didn’t think it would consume so much of his life. Yes, he told them that Akechi was released under certain conditions, but he never revealed what those conditions were nor anything else. And from Makoto’s lack of a similar expression, he can only imagine that Sae hasn’t mentioned anything either.
Which means Akira should still probably keep it quiet.
“Yeah,” Akira nods. It’s not a lie. He’s still doing all the same things — as far as he knows anyway. Just a more directed sort of thing. Less a private detective and more doing the work that the others couldn’t — at least, that’s what appeared to be the case. “I’ll ask him.”
Ann doesn’t seem to buy it from the look on her face and a part of him wonders if she’s retained her ability to see through his lies. Ann was the one person who was pretty involved and invested in Akira’s relationship with Akechi — one of the few people he went to for advice about it when they were older and since they escaped the loop. She had gotten pretty good at seeing when he was hiding something and sometimes even Akechi as he eventually confided in her — a little at least. Enough that Akira thinks he might have gone as far to say that Ann and Akechi were friends.
Ann — bless her — doesn’t say anything and just moves on with the conversation that she hopes Akechi will show up, though the hint is there. Akira wonders if she’s tried to contact him. They’re not as close as they used to be, so he doesn’t know if she would be comfortable with that, but he does have to wonder. Akechi hasn’t been around enough for Akira to ask.
They’ll find out eventually though. Whether it’s through him or not.
“Does he still plan on going to Europe? Like last time?” Yusuke remembers? “I wonder if I will as well.”
“Oh, maybe,” unfortunately, Akira is too in shock to provide any kind of reassurances or confirmations.
“Maybe he’ll take you with him this time,” Yusuke ponders. “It was quite a fascinating experience the last time. He was surprisingly… pleasant.”
Akira’s jaw dropped, “Was he?” Because Akechi was definitely annoyed when he spoke of Yusuke finding him. “Not the persona he puts up but actually… pleasant?” This is the first he’s heard of this. Yusuke talked about it vaguely last time, but it was mainly about art and the food that he got to experience. Akechi showed up to some of the art shows because Yusuke was so insistent and Akechi did show appreciation of this, but…
“Yes,” Yusuke nods.
“Wait, when was this?” Futaba asks.
“Ah,” Yusuke sighs. “Never mind. Forget I mentioned it.”
Akira knows that he simply doesn’t want to have to get into the conversation of memories they haven’t yet recovered, but the fact that Yusuke recalled that whole experience with Akechi is shocking to him. He wonders how much he remembers.
“By the way, have you heard of EMMA?” Futaba says as she pulls out her phone with a smirk. “EMMA, list recommended camping gear!”
The AI from Futaba’s phone shocks everyone as it replies to Futaba’s request guiding them to the sporting and travel goods store near 705 in Shibuya.
“Wow, that’s pretty neat,” Morgana purrs.
“It’s pretty handy. You can ask it anything and it will find the best answer for you,” Futaba adds. “And it’s about a thousand times smarter than Ryuji.”
“Shut up,” he mumbles.
Futaba ignores him, “You should all download it!”
Makoto nods, “I don’t see any issue in it. It’ll probably be pretty handy.” Akira nods and they all begin downloading the app on their phone. The convenience factor makes Akira a little wary, but he’ll take whatever makes his current life easier.
“Alright! Let’s go get the camping stuff tomorrow,” Ryuji suggests. “Time for all of us to catch up.”
“Agreed,” Haru says.
-0- .- -. -.. ....... .. - ....... -... . --. .. -. ... -0-
“Hello, Trickster.”
The voice startles him. It isn’t one he was expecting to hear ever again. Not since they finished everything with Dr. Maruki. The Metaverse was supposed to be destroyed for good now. Dr. Maruki was defeated. So why is it that he’s hearing Lavenza speak to him as if no time has passed — as if they’re still in that period of constantly fighting?
Despite himself, out of habit, he walks over to her. He’s in chains again, once again wearing his jail outfit. However, the room behind Lavenza is still empty. Igor is not there. So that was not the influence of Dr. Maruki — he simply just isn’t here anymore. Was that the result of them defeating Yaldabaoth before Dr. Maruki’s involvement?
“Lavenza,” Akira says softly. “I didn’t expect to see you again. Especially not so soon.”
Lavenza’s expression is solemn and full of concern. Why? What grand disaster awaits them this time? It wasn’t his fault, was it? Not again…
“Once again, you are a prisoner of fate,” she begins solemnly. “And I loathe that it has come to this again. The world requires you, Trickster. To save it from the potential calamity that threatens to consume the world whose heart you strove so greatly to change.”
“And one I twisted once,” Akira remarks.
Lavenza smiles softly, “It is true, that once your heart was tainted by your own desires and those scars appear to still be fresh. That being said, you never once gave up on trying to fix those mistakes. Your heart was tainted, but you never let that stop you from your justice. You still saved the world and never gave in truly to the promise of eternal happiness. Otherwise, I never would have been able to reach you, Trickster.”
Is that what that was? If he had given up and only want to believe in the things that Dr. Maruki promised him — if he accepted the reality, whether it’s being him trapped in an attic never to awake again or his friends living happily with their lost loved ones, Lavenza would have never reached him?
The Will of the Trickster. The Fool. Never to know what any of them truly wanted.
He should stop feeling so guilty about what happened. It was the right decision — he made the right choice, but he will never not feel guilty for the choices he made that stripped his friends of their happiness and his own grief controlling him to make decisions he never should have. It gave Akechi a second chance, but what does he know?
“What do you need me to do, Lavenza?” Akira asks. He doesn’t have time to dwell on what he should and shouldn’t have done. He doesn’t have time to second guess himself when Lavenza is asking for his help again. It looks like it isn’t time for him to rest just yet.
“I worry, Trickster… That this one may be worse than the last,” she looks back at where Igor used to sit. “And my master has yet to return so I will be in charge of all of the details to aid in your journey. I hope that I will be of service.”
“You have never let me down before, Lavenza,” Akira gives her the best smile he can. “You have always helped me when I needed you most. Especially in the last conflict — you saved my life from succumbing to Dr. Maruki’s will and for that, I will be eternally grateful.” Lavenza brightens a little at that.
“Please, be careful Trickster,” Lavenza emphasizes.
“I will.”