Chapter Text
With the sun setting on the beach. Their mood grew sombre as Futaba unveiled her struggles and her desire to find her mother's killer.
"I hope you're okay with me joining..?" Futaba murmured.
The team adamantly agreed and offered their happiness in her joining. Only Morgana seemed a little sombre in a side remark before smiling again.
"Hey Futaba?" Morgana started, "how'd you even know we were the Phantom Thieves?"
Yusuke nodded, "Morgana does bring up a point. Even if you had bugged Leblanc, we never went there until after you contacted us."
"Yeah! You were a literally shut in, how'd you do it?" Ryuji questions while crossing his arms.
Futaba brings herself forward as if she's telling a secret and brings her finger up, "easy. I'm sure you know Sojiro, I bugged his phone and overheard him yelling about Palaces."
She gestures to Ryuji who sputtered from everyone's glare. Futaba continued, unbothered, "of course it peaked my interest. I obviously proceed to hack through the hospital network to find Ann's information and saw your chat log."
"Wow Futaba.. that's amazing. I'm really glad you're on our side," Ann says with relief, "though through the hospital network?? When did Ryuji go to the hospital?"
Futaba huffed, "didn't you hear my whole explanation? It was through your phone Ann. Sojiro had walked past you or something and I heard Ryuji yell through your phone."
Ann stops to think, before remembering the occurrence of finding Akechi had a Palace. "Oh!! Yeah that was Boss I saw, it was awhile ago.. it took some time to process."
Morgana shaked his head, "the real problem is people hearing Ryuji yell through a phone. It's not even overhearing a conversation. You're seriously too loud Ryuji!!"
"Shut up you stupid cat!"
"What you-"
"Enough," Makoto's voice rang getting the two to shut up. "Futaba do you know why Boss went to hospital? It seems a little strange."
Futaba played with the sand with her foot as she replied, "I don't really know. I never really questioned it, since I never went out. But from the basic details I got, he's visiting a boy about my age. I didn't listen to that many voice logs so I don't know the name. Though I remember hearing a familiar voice.. hmm who was it?"
Ryuji visibly falters, as he sighs, "dude you seriously need better hobbies."
"Oh I remember now, he came to Leblanc! Akechi Goro, that Detective Prince!" Futaba exclaimed.
"Akechi?" Yusuke says in shock, as he looked to the others.
"Man I feel like everything is connected to that Akechi guy.."
Makoto put a hand on her chin in contemplation, "that makes a lot of sense now. Considering when he came to Leblanc he was very casual with Boss, almost friendly. Do you know how long Boss and Akechi knew each other? Perhaps we can get more information on Akechi.."
Futaba shakes her head, "I told you I don't listen to Sojiro's phone that much. Most times it's really boring. Though I got curious when I heard Ryuji say 'Akechi blah blah Palace.'. I'm pretty sure it had to be after mom died... I don't remember him visiting anyone before.. well I locked myself in my room."
"Hey!" Ryuji brings up, "what if we ask Sojiro 'bout Akechi. Maybe we can find his keywords?"
Makoto disagrees, "no that would arise too much suspicion. I think we are going to have to rely on Ann again."
Ann takes a step back again, "huh again?! Come on guys you know he hates me!!"
"No you won't have to necessarily talk to Akechi this time, but rather Sojiro. Since Kurusu is friends with Shiho, you have a legitimate reason to question Akechi as well as Kurusu. I have a feeling Kurusu will be vital to Akechi's Palace."
Futaba quickly shakes her hands to stop to conversation, "woah woah woah! Hold up! Too much information! Akechi has a palace, I kinda got that. But Akechi and Ann feud, Kurusu? Fill me in!!"
Yusuke takes the honour and gives a small chuckle, "well I'm sure this will be an interesting conversation. It's starts like this.."
~~~
Okumura's palace proved to be quite stressful, Ann remarked. She would think that with Mona back their united force would be easier, but it still proves extremely tiring. Ann can only assume that with the absences of practicing in Mementos, they were a little weak.
Ann can't really complain, when there's a possibility of them getting stuck in an inescapable battle. They had tried to ask if Futaba could assist them to warn them prior to an attack. But even she seemed skeptical that it would help. Even Oracle's powers were limited to those strange shadows.
This obviously lead to them taking Okumura's palace slower than usual, which is why Ann was at hospital during one of their breaks.
As much as Ann wants to visit Shiho today, she's on official Phantom Thieves duty. Futaba had informed them that from tracking Boss' phone, he was in the hospital visiting Akira. Which prompted Ann as the follow up to ask questions.
Ann had tried to avoid this, considering the possible encounter with Akechi, but was ultimately denied. Futaba had explained she couldn't get anything on Akechi because he had made sure to use only his network as well as a VPN. She says it's was suspicious and a little overly cautious of Akechi but not unsurprising. Though it made getting information almost impossible for Futaba, it was like a needle in a haystack. Which ultimately puts it to Ann.
She's sighs while twirling her hair, she needed to act natural. She waited for awhile until the door opened and out came Sojiro.
He was wearing his white suit again with the fedora making him stand out. He instantly spotted the two blonde pigtails and made a surprised face.
"Huh? Takamaki-chan?"
Ann chuckles awkwardly like, she has a weird tone in her voice just like the other times she was acting. "O-oh hey Boss! Why are you here today? Did you just come out of Akira's room?"
Boss seemed to raise his brow at Ann's tone before sighing. He deems the conversation safe enough to breach, "what a pain. Guess now that you've seen me there's really no point in hiding."
He gets a serious look in his face, "I'm only telling you this because you helped Futaba, and she's probably worried why I leave all the time." Once Ann nods in reply Sojiro carefully shuts the door behind him and moves them aside.
"I'm sure you've know of Kurusu Akira, considering you're using his given name. Just like you I only knew about him from his time at the hospital.
It was about two years ago... Futaba had only recently come into my care and was very malnourished... I was worried about her health, especially the first time she slept for so long. So I brought her here.. I had left to smoke, but in my panic I had forgotten where I was and what floor Futaba was on. Man I must've looked very distressed because a teenage no older than how old Futaba is now, rolled up to me."
Sojiro has a soft smile on his face as he continues, "damn kid was in a wheelchair and the first thing he does is help someone. The kid helped me figure out what floor she was on before falling over. Scared the life out of me, one second he's talking the next I'm catching him. Of course that's also where I met Akechi whom I think you've probably seen considering he never leaves Akira's side.
After the whole incident, I came back to see how the kid was. From then I found out Akira had no family or friends besides Akechi. So I decided to continue to visit, especially since he reminded me so much of Futaba.."
"Boss..." Ann murmurs.
He then shakes his head, "two children all alone.. never mind that.. from then on I became acquainted with Akechi and learned more about Akira's health..
It's strange.. it's almost as complex as Futaba's. Akira cannot stay up for long, in the beginning he could only stay up for 15 minutes before falling back into a coma. His first time waking was surprisingly the first time we met. Over time, he's been staying up for longer and has begun to stay awake in a non responsive state. Though he always falls back into a coma.. Occasionally Akira will get injured when falling if he isn't too careful. As well as problems breathing for the first day. With those issues, the hospital cannot allow Akira to leave far from the vicinity.. hell I don't think he's even allowed outside because of possibility of Akira getting brain damage.
He's so young, it's a tragic he has to suffer so much. All we can do is continue to visit him and support him. I'm sure you'll do that though.."
Ann smiles brightly, "of course! Akira is a good friend of me and Shiho!"
"How is your friend?" Boss asks.
Ann perks up, "oh she's been great! Doctors said-"
"Sakura-san?"
Their attention is then brought to the door to Akira's room opening revealing Akechi in a hoodie. Ann was a taken back, she swore she actually took a step back. Never in her life would she think Akechi would wear something so... hip? Akechi is clearly as taken back when he notices Ann there. If Ann looks a little carefully, she would think Akechi was embarrassed.
He cleared his throat and turned back to Boss, "I though I heard your voice still. I was wondering why you hadn't left. Though now I know who kept you busy."
He smiled to Ann but it lacked warmth, which got Ann to look sheepishly. This doesn't go unnoticed by Sojiro who sighed.
"Is this some sort of new tactic for dating?" Sojiro asked.
This gets both of them quite red and they both adamantly deny it as they wave their hands desperately. This gets Sojiro to smirk, "I'm just pulling on your legs. Though you've got this old man curious about how Akechi Goro could be so hostile to a sweet girl like Takamaki Ann?"
There was just awkward silence as Sojiro looked between the two. Ann didn't particularly want to tell Sojiro, and Akechi clearly wanted her to get to say it. So there was this standoff with Sojiro stuck in between.
Sojiro sighs, "whatever.. I don't really care. Just get your act together when you're with Akira. Kid is only awake for so long. Try and get along then."
"You said it Boss," Akira murmured groggily. It sounded like he had just woken up.
Akechi immediately did a 180 with the other two trailing behind to see Akira looking sleepy.
"Akira!" Akechi yelled out before clearing his throat, "er- I mean. How are you feeling? I'm surprised you woke up so soon after.."
Akechi trailed off. From what Ann got it seems there is a certain time frame to where Akira is up. Ann would think this is a good sign, but Akechi still looks a little worried.
Sojiro pats Akechi on the shoulder and smiles to Akira, "lightening up kid. Akira is getting stronger as the days go by. It seems lady luck was on my side, I got to properly speak to you."
Akechi nods, and the tension from his shoulder leaves as they turn to Akira, who was trying to sit up comfortability. It looked like Akechi wanted to assist but Akira denied it and managed to sit up with a shaky hands. His breathing was heavy as he took all the oxygen he can through the oxygen tube.
"I hope you and Goro made up. You guys seem like you would get along quite well. I heard from Shiho you like sweets Ann? Goro knows a bunch of places, perhaps you two can go."
Before Ann could retort, Akechi smiled happily. Ann was a taken back considering his smile as he turned to her. Though the smile was really forced, and looked something right out of his interviews. "Yes we have. I've been planning to ask Takamaki-chan for her chat ID."
"Er- uh," Ann wasn't prepared for anything. It seemed like she was forced to concede to Akechi's plan even though two seconds ago he was giving her heated looks. Least of all they disappoint Akira who was looking at them like a little doe, Ann was truly backed against the wall. "Y-yeah! We are trying to start a clean slate."
With Akechi holding out his phone Ann had no choice but to send her ID in front of Boss and Akira.
"Perfect. I'll be sure to invite you to a famous crepes shop."
Boss grinned, "taking my advice to heart I see.."
Akira smiled back, "I'm glad. If you guys don't mind, I wanted to talk to Boss for a bit, I haven't seen him in awhile."
Sojiro looked shocked before sighing and sitting down on the chair. Akechi and Ann nodded happily as they made their way out the door. With it firmly shut, Ann wonders if Akira did this on purpose to force a conversation between the two.
Akechi played with phone before stuffing it in his pocket and turning to Ann. "I'm sure this will be a good experience for both of us," Akechi said, which threw Ann off. Akechi was acting different know, like he remembered his goal. "As unbearable as you are right now. Perhaps Akira wishes will come true. You should be happy. A chance to eat sweets, and call me a brown noser."
Ann sighed, "look Akechi what I said before I didn't really mean it. Okay I kinda of did especially with your choice of clothing. But I realized I shouldn't judge people based on their appearance.. and I apologize."
Though Ann wasn't planning on it, maybe this was a good way for them to get information on him and his Palace.
Akechi stared at Ann, as if looking for a lie before nodding. "Alright... I suppose. This is favourable for me."
Ann quickly grew confused and decided to ask. She just hope it wasn't that Akechi was suspecting them.
"Oh," Akechi smiled wickedly, "you didn't expect I just accept your apology without compensation?"
She haphazardly heard him walk away about getting a drink before it fully hit her.
Ann steps back, "huh!? What do you mean compensation?!"