lempereur | IC Contact; MoM

I thought about that. It's certainly a possibility.

[He won't deny that it was possible that Akechi was lying to fuck with them. So Akira wouldn't get defensive or insist, this was Yusuke's friend and he'd have to deal with what was going on in his head.]

I'm not saying it's true. I'm saying that's what Akechi told me. He also said that he's been here alone for two years so it's possible he's changed, but I...

My only interest is keeping you and others safe. I'm not interested in turning you against your friend, even if he's an idiot.

If he is an ex-murderer, then... maybe he could be useful in dealing with Akechi too, you know?

[So... not ALL bad?]

What is an 'ex-murderer'? Nobody Akechi killed is coming back. It can't be undone with an apology.

[ I'd like people to know the person I am now, before I tell them about the person I used to be.

That was what Adachi told him when he asked if there was anything else he needed to know. Yusuke is thinking on that, hands through his hair trying to keep his head on straight, keep it from flying off into a dozen different directions but he is failing, failing as he has since the second he stepped through that door downstairs for the first time. It's too much, he was overwhelmed before Akira had arrived, and it isn't any easier now.

He thinks about when he and Adachi had first met, and how his demeanor changed when he found out he was a Persona user.

He thinks about how he brought Yusuke out to eat in those first, terrifying days, and asked for his partnership. Or maybe, instead, servitude. He was shown kindness when he had no one to turn to, he had fallen for that once, he could have fallen for it again.

The way he had threatened Yuri before he got here and seemed to only regret getting told on, and the way he teased Yusuke with a smile, and the way he had no concern for his own well-being and by extension, everyone around him. And how, despite that, he supposedly cared enough about Yusuke to tag along yesterday and help him make a mess of things.

The last thing he thinks about before he cracks, blood boiling so hot that is threatens to bubble through his skin, was the hospital, and the vague, dodgy conversation about guilt and deserving that Adachi had with Viktor. Right in front of his face, as if he was stupid, dangling secrets just above his nose like a dog. ]

What else did he say? Tell me everything.

I imagine 'reformed' is a better word, but you are right. There's no going back and un-killing someone, but... if a murderer goes to jail and is later released, I'd hope it meant that that person could change.

[Sighing, Akira pulled his phone out, bringing up the series of texts.]

"What I know isn't much other than what I've read in his file. He murdered two women in Inaba, whose bodies were found hanging from telephone poles. He claims he did it because he was "bored", so says his statement.

He mentioned something about a T.V. but I'm not entirely sure if he's an idiot in some fantasy world or...if he found his way into the Metaverse. There are an infinite number of possibilities; however, with what he has told Sakura-san, I wonder if he has the same powers as we do.

He's been here two years without anyone from his world so it is entirely possible he has changed."

And that's it. We changed the subject after that. If you want more info... He might have it if you wanted me to ask.

[ Yusuke pulls his hands away from his face just enough to lean over Akira's shoulder while he reads. Anger is welling up inside him but he sits still, save for trembling hands and heavy breathing as the lump in his throat makes it hard to breathe. ]

Ask him. I need to know everything he does. Anything he can remember. And forward that to me.

[Akira nods at that, willing to at least ask Akechi some more about the supposed murderer. He wondered for a short moment if perhaps he was just trying to deflect the attention off of him. But no, that wouldn't work, and he was sure that Akechi was smart enough to know it.

Not wasting any time, Akira sends a text, which he'll let Yusuke read.]

I'll send you whatever I get back.

...What do you want to do about it, in the meantime? I'd say collecting more information is paramount, but... If it is true?

Edited 2017-06-13 05:23 (UTC)

[ The longer he let himself think about it, the more his head ached, the more his heart hurt, the more sense it made. Yusuke moved so that his back was against the wall, hugging his legs to his chest with a long, shaky exhale. ]

I have to find out for sure.

[ Yusuke was a long way from trusting Akechi, but he couldn't think of any reason for him to lie other than creating discord between the Phantom Thieves, and given that he was the only one who knew Adachi, that explanation seemed unlikely.

...at least, he thought he knew him. ]

If he...if he is, I have to confront him. That's all I can do. He doesn't have the same control over his Persona as we do, so it could be...unpleasant.

[ The idea of having to turn on someone he trusted made him sick. It's for the best that most of Akira's curry has gone uneaten, because Yusuke feels like he could empty what little he had in his stomach all over the floor. Unpleasant was a criminal understatement, but it was more concise than the laundry list of sensations and worries rampaging through his body and mind. His face is physically pained, but emotionless, until he growls in anger and fists his hands in the excessive pile of blankets. ]

But before that, I have to talk to Yuri. If Viktor...that useless dog from yesterday, is protecting Adachi, he...I don't know what. But he would want to know.

Absolutely.

[Akira was... a little nervous about the idea of confronting another Persona user, though.]

... I only have access to Arsene here though, so let's try not to rush into it. We'll have to take into account that I'm not as strong as I usually am.

I'm definitely not as strong as you are.

[He pauses for a moment, tapping on his chin.]

But I'll back you up, no matter what you decide to do, so let me know if I can help you in any way.

It has to be soon. But you are right, Akira, it can't be rushed. I don't know everything he's capable of, I don't even think he knows. Unless...

[ Unless everything Yusuke had been told was a lie? No, some of it had to be genuine, he had spent enough time with Adachi to see him. He was a human being, not a wild animal. It couldn't have been all facade. Yusuke couldn't have been that stupid, not again.

It would hurt less if it were all a lie, he wouldn't have to think back on every word they'd ever had with a scalpel, driving himself crazy trying to figure it out. ]

I might have to do this by myself.

[Akira nodded at that. It did have to be soon. The Phantom Thieves did not wait long if it was not necessary, and leaving Yusuke hanging in the wings was unacceptable.]

Just keep me updated, and I'll do the same for you.

[He didn't like the idea of Yusuke doing it on his own, but Akira had faith in him. If he thought that was best... he wasn't going to argue.]

...I'm going to tell Futaba, but we won't do anything without your word. I want you to take the reins on this one. Do you think you can handle that?

Yes, of course, we have to tell her.

[ He uncurls himself enough to give Akira a long, hard look. He hadn't really expected him to agree, especially after he'd dropped the ball on the meeting with Akechi, but he looked sincere. That's the wild card for you, always full of surprises.

As disgusted and heartbroken as he is by the allegations, Yusuke has no choice but to take them seriously. Adachi would talk, maybe easily, if he knew his cover was already blown, or maybe after some trouble, if he was feeling defensive as usual. It was hard to know with him. But he would talk, Yusuke would make sure of that.

At this moment, his resolve is weak, but he can already feel it growing, hurried along by the trust he feels from Akira. There's a part of him that he can not, will not hide, ever since that day in Madarame's palace, telling him that it's time to wake up, brush himself off, and get to work. He has to collect himself. He has to consult. He has to take action. ]

I can handle this. If you don't mind having someone else coordinating plots, for a change.

[Akira gave Yusuke a smile at that, mostly to reassure him. There was no point in moping, they both knew it. They were ready for action.]

You've got the most experience here, and the most to lose. I can't think of anyone better for the job.

[Yusuke was going to get to be team leader for this one. Akira didn't know the situation nearly as much as Yusuke did. He didn't know Adachi's personality or who else could be spoken to for backup, so he was more than happy to defer to Yusuke, even if that cafe thing went TERRIBLY. It served as a learning experience.]

In the meantime, make sure to eat, and if you find yourself without food you can come over to my place. We'll need our strength.

[ The encouragement teases out the tiniest of smiles from him, but even that is an accomplishment given the news and events of the last couple of days. Yusuke is, again, more thankful for Akira than he can ever properly express.

He isn't hungry anymore, in fact there's a harsh anxiety-driven gurgling in his belly, but he takes the lunchbox off the table anyway and resolves to choke it down, cold or not. ]

I will finish this before I get started on anything else. If you don't mind, I would like to be by myself, just a little longer.

[Even a tiny smile was enough of an improvement for Akira to grin back at him. They might be down to three members right now, but they were still the Phantom Thieves, they could totally handle this! All of this.]

Alright, then I'll head out. Like I said, just let me and Futaba know what the plan is. Even if it's just to do it on your own.

We're here to support you!

[With that, Akira got up from his spot, carefully navigating his way towards the door. It wasn't maybe the most graceful exit, but it would have to do for now.]

Thank you. I'll be in touch soon.

[ He just has to...curl up for a bit. It'll be fine. ]

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