Chapter Text
[Goro Akechi's PoV]
I remembered going to bed, but... This is definitely not where I slept.
The blue carpeted room with blue walls was so... Vibrant. I sat up slowly and looked around, it looked like I was in a giant blue library, with a desk in the center. A balding older man with an abnormally long nose and big eyes protruding out from his face smiled unnervingly at me, with a girl standing to the left of him with silver blonde hair that was abnormally vibrant and fluffed out, and eyes like a Shadow. She was dressed in blue with black accents. The man gestured for me to sit down in the chair across from his desk, and I hesitantly do so.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room... This is a place between dream and reality, mine and matter, which reflects the state of your heart..." The strange man told me. "I am Igor, a resident of this place, and this is Minora, my assistant- and likewise, a resident of the Velvet Room." He gestured to the lady next to him, and she nodded and did a curtsy.
"Greetings. I am Minora. Me and my Master are here to assist you in your journey." She said with a matter-of-factly tone.
I blinked a few times.
"My... Journey?"
"We will explain in more detail another time, but the waking world awaits. Though I do wonder how you've faired so well, as an unguided Wildcard..."
"Wildcard...?" I remember that word, Ren mentioned it, and so did Ryoji...
"You may wake up now, but we will need to talk about the importance of your bonds next time... You have made two, which is good, but it would be advisable that you make more. The power of the Wildcard is the power of one's bonds."
I was confused.
"The power of one's bon-"
Before I could finish, I felt myself getting really... Tired. And then everything went dark, before I blinked my eyes open and looked around, I was in my room again. I blinked several times, before sitting up and looking around more. I felt like whatever that was, it was more than a dream... But I was tired... Even if I had to get up and get ready for school.
Pink hair flittered over the back of her seat as she quietly did her schoolwork, she didn't say anything, but she always had such friendly air about her... I happened to sit next to her, but previously, I didn't pay her much attention at all. She was certainly beautiful, like a graceful dance, or an Aurora... But yet, she hardly ever smiled a real smile. I could tell she was always trying to seem friendly, but she didn't interact with many people. Looking back, even when I hardly paid her any attention, I thought it was strange...
I recently got out of the hospital, and when I first did and came back, she was the first to greet me- well, her and her sister- who I nearly mistook for a boy at first.
The sister was far less friendly and not as elegant, but she had her own charm, too. Her messy white and black hair and those sharp eyes... And the way she walks, she carries herself with such confidence. She seems intimidating, but she wasn't rude or anything, either. Overall, I would say they're both quite lovely in their own ways...
Even so, never once did I consider asking BOTH OF THEM OUT!
I shoot a glare at the boy on the other side of me, who sighs slightly and rubs his cheek, where earlier the more standoffish of the sisters slapped him.
It almost felt like he was my own brother, really. Ever since he rescued me, I barely ever got a break from him. And when I helped sign him up to go to school with me, I never would have thought they'd not only put us in the same class, but also side by side... He was an annoying little shit, sometimes. But I couldn't really call him out like I wanted to until we got home.
We live together as well, which adds to the feeling of suddenly having a brother, even though he and I are not related- as, far as I know. But my father is a bastard and-
"Akechi. Are you there?" My teacher, Ms. Kazashi called out from the front of the class, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I know you just got out of the hospital, but try not to get distracted, okay?"
"Yes. My apologies." I promptly replied.
I took a deep breath and tried to focus more on the class.
It was hard to focus... Mostly due to how wild the past few months had been, ever since I had met my new roommate- the story of what happened with Ryoji was a lot... But, I was glad he showed up, and... Glad that the Phantom Thieves changed Shido's heart. I may or may not have the moment of his public confession clipped and I may or may not watch it repeatedly. Even Ryoji seems to enjoy it.
Class went by as normal, and I started to pack up my stuff, as did Ryoji. I noticed that girl packing up her stuff as well, and cleared my throat.
"Hey... I just want to apologize about Ryoji, asking you and your sister out earlier. I hope he didn't make you feel uncomfortable." I told her.
"Oh, it's okay... He just surprised us..." She said softly, her green eyes sparkling like stars.
Huh... Ryoji was at least right, when he said she was beautiful.
"I'm Goro Akechi." I offer her my hand, and she smiles and gently takes it. Her hand is so... Soft.
"I'm Clervie Arpin. Nice to meet you..."
"Nice to meet you, too."
I couldn't help but smile at her...
"I hope we can be good friends!" Clervie spoke with a smile.
"I hope so too..." I cleared my throat, as an idea popped into my head. "Say, would you like to hang out sometime? I may be the Detective Prince but, I do end up finding a lot of fun places- I just don't have many people to go to them with."
"I'd love to! That, sounds like a lot of fun..."
"Then I greatly look forward to it. What are some things you like? I don't want to make any assumptions and take you somewhere you'd end up hating..."
"Hm... Well, I don't really do a lot... I like new experiences, and pretty sights."
"Do... You mind heights?"
She shook her head, and I nodded slightly.
"Then... How about this Sunday? And, it, doesn't have to be one on one of you don't want it to be, of course. I can already guess that someone in particular is going to want to come..." I glance over at Ryoji, who is pretending that he isn't paying attention.
Clervie giggles, and I swear I feel my heart skip a beat.
"Aw, look at you. You're falling in love~" Loki's laugh echoed in my head.
"That is wonderful!" Robin Hood seemed nearly excited.
I silently scolded both of them.
"Then can I bring some of my siblings along?" Clervie asked softly.
"Certainly. I would love to meet all of your siblings."
"Great! I'll be looking forward to it!" Clervie said with a bright smile.
"I shall be as well."
{I am thou. Thou art I. Thou hast forged a new bond.}
{It shall be the flames of rebellion that burn through the cage that restrain me.}
{With the birth of the Lovers Arcana, I have gained blessing that shall lead to freedom and greater power.}
Her sister slowly walked up, I could feel her intimidating presence coming up beside me, but I didn't flinch. She wasn't the scariest person I had ever met... But not far from it.
"Hey." She spoke in that low voice.
I looked up at her, and she gave me a slight nod of acknowledgement.
"I see you and Clervie are getting along?"
I had a feeling I was on thin ice, even though I haven't done anything... She looked at me with those gray eyes, marked with those strange X's, her white and black hair partially covering one eye but not hiding her intense stare at all. Again. Intimidating.
"Yes, we are." I tell her.
"Mm. I see."
"He was apologizing for earlier, when his friend walked up and asked us both out, but he then asked if I wanted to hang out! He said I can bring you and some of the others as well!" Clervie said.
"Yes, I did also intend on apologizing to you, as well, but I also hope that you will be willing to hang out together? This Sunday?"
She nodded slightly.
"I'll accept your apology, and I suppose, if it is such a big deal, that I can come along." She said, "though, I would say that the one who should apologize..."
She shot a glare over at Ryoji, who had moved towards the door but was now definitely caught.
"U-um... I'm sorry..." He said quietly, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
All Clervie's intimidating sister did was nod, acknowledging his statement, before turning her attention back to me and Clervie.
"I'm Peruere Arpin."
I turned to her and nodded.
"I'm Goro Akechi. It's nice to meet you." I offer her my hand for a handshake, but she doesn't accept it. I'm too scared to take it personally, though.
We maybe could have talked more, if a voice didn't echo through the halls, calling their names- along with various others.
Peruere's expression hardened a bit, and Clervie...
Her expression was suddenly so downcast.
I didn't like what that implied.
Ryoji was still by the door when it was slammed open, hard enough to knock him back a step, as a pink haired woman stormed through the door.
"Ow..." Ryoji whined, but I glared at him to silently tell him to be quiet, as Clervie and Peruere grabbed their bags.
"We have to go..." Clervie said quietly.
"See you tomorro-"
And she was already walking away with Peruere and the woman.
After they left the room, I went over to Ryoji and helped him up.
"That raised a few red flags..." Ryoji commented.
"Yes it did."
"Well... Wanna see if we can do something about it?" Ryoji asked.
"What? You want to change her heart?" I asked quietly.
"Well... Why not?"
"Please... There's no way I intend on working with Joker again."
"Why not lead your own group? You keep saying you're as good as he is or better, prove yourself as a leader."
Mm...
No, I shouldn't...
But...
"...I hate that you understand me so well."
Ryoji laughed as I helped him up to his feet.
"We should start getting information as soon as possible."
"Yes, we should."