Chapter Text
To Goro Akechi, one of the most satisfying sensations in the natural world is pulling weeds. Not just pulling weeds, but ripping them from the root; in one fell swoop, networks of plant sliding out of the ground, a weighty bulb of dirt hanging off the end.
He thinks he may have been born for this— severing things at the root.
The dirt under his nails is unfortunate, though. He'd accidentally packed his gloves deep in his closet-hidden suitcase, but he needed the garden today. It was Akira who taught him to come here when his thoughts were heavy. That was before Goro severed those roots. Not a clean break. Akira chased him, clung, parasitic tick.
The next weed comes out clean. He throws it aside.
When he looks back down— ants. So many ants. Scurrying about fine dirt, home broken by giant's hands. He doesn't want to reach back into the carnage, where stray weeds sprout. The ants might bite.
No, how would they know Goro is the source of the destruction? They wouldn't.
Yusuke will know.
He defers to a separate, isolated patch of green.
A tickle up his leg. When he peers down: an ant.
He screams.