2026-01-03: No More What Ifs
- Log: 2026-01-03 No More What Ifs
- Cast: Goro Akechi, Ren Amamiya
- Where: Jazz Jin, Kichijoji, Tokyo
- OOC Date: January 04, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, September 05, 2012
- Summary: Akechi invites Ren to Jazz Jin to show them what he finds beautiful.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
@>Do you want to see what I find beautiful?
@>If you're free, meet me by the Penguin Sniper and I'll show you.
When Ren arrives, Akechi is waiting, in his school uniform again. It looks like he's shifted to the Winter Uniform ahead of time, perhaps for it's TV Presence, wearing a set of black gloves and as always carrying his brief case.
"Hey, you made it. This place is rather special for me. I'm hoping you'll like it too." He still hasn't said what it is. "Just follow me, it's not far."
A walk less than a block to the cafe they'd eaten at before, a cross of a street, a round of a corner. One might wonder if he's leading him into a dark alleyway, but Kichijoji's alleyways aren't exactly dark, more vibrant.
And then he makes a turn. A sculpture of a steel column, with a spiral of lights around it. A sandwich board of drink specials. And the faint whisper of music.
A sign which says:
Jazz Jin
In both English and Japanese marks this place. Inside, Ren will see that it's not crowded, only perhaps a dozen patrons right now. A bar tended by a stylish man wearing sunglasses and a hat, which also serves as storage for a multitude of records. The decor is eclectic, with a multitude of retro street signs, but the one that sticks out is perhaps the most unusual.
| Law >
< Neutral|
< Chaos |
Law points to another listening station in the corner, with stools surrounding players, complete with headphones. Whereas Neutral and Chaos point to the tables that expose you in the middle of the floor, with a grand piano and elevated stage with microphone present.
Akechi nods to Muhen, who nods back, as he simply takes a table just across from the stage, at an angle, resting his brief case in a chair, he has a seat, only now regarding Ren again. His posture is loose, but his hand is obviously gripping the other down upon his lap.
"Well, here we are. A rather nice place, don't you think? It's not... quite part of my apology for what happened, but rest assured we won't be bothered here."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
There's no need to even reply--but Ren does anyway with a simple "OK" so Akechi isn't left on read. They're still in their summer uniform because... it's still hot and they love themself, but when they arrive at Penguin Sniper and see Akechi already in his winter uniform, well. His idea of summer wear is a blue checkered sweater-vest and a long-sleeved shirt. It makes sense that he'd put on the tie and jacket as soon as he can.
"Hey," Ren says back, hands tucked into their pockets, already-empty bag hanging from his shoulder. (Morgana knows what's up by now.) They nod once and follow Akechi--across a street, around a corner, around another corner, and they're already there. Ren is not worried about Akechi leading them into a dark alleyway. They know him well enough to know that's not how he would handle this.
It's a street that Ren's walked down before when they've been in Kichijoji. They've seen the sign in the window, but never actually paid attention to the store itself, maybe because it seemed like a bar, maybe because it's down the stairs into a basement. Ren stares down, and up, puzzled, but follows Akechi in anyway. They stay open-minded. They don't think Akechi would mess with them about this. (He would and frequently messes with them in general--but considering how intimate their last conversation was, Ren would be very surprised indeed if Akechi chose to mess around about this.)
And there is a bar inside, and dim, cozy lighting--but there's also records, and a stage, and a listening station, and a sign that's obtuse until Ren observes what the boards point to. Then they smile a brief, 'oh, I get it' sort of smile.
Ren then follows Akechi's gaze to Muhen and nods to him also. There's a table close to the stage that Akechi then beelines too, and Ren follows him and sits across from him. Their eyes dip to Akechi's unseen hands; the angle of his arms make it clear he's clutching them. Nervous?
Maybe so. If this is a place that Akechi finds beautiful, he might be nervous about if Ren will find it beautiful, too.
Fortunately, so far, they do.
"It is," they agree, looking up to meet Akechi's gaze. "I've passed by a few times but never come in. From the outside, it didn't seem like a place for minors." They pause to look around again at the other customers; though there aren't many, of the dozen other patrons, only one looks to be a high schooler like them. When Akechi says it's not precisely part of his apology, they look back at him, their regard intent... and then they shrug.
"I already forgave you," they reassure him. "Good to know, though. It's already really relaxing in here--a nice place to hang out and chat. I can see why you like it." A pause. "So... what's good here?" Another pause, and then they correct themself with: "What's your favorite?"
They don't want to know just what's good. They want to know what Akechi thinks is the best.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'It is,'
Causes some amount of relief within him, after all he was fully prepared for Ren Amamiya to not enjoy this place. After all, he can't see the appeal within the stars. It's just - something felt wrong about that outcome.
Like he wanted it to be the other way around.
"Well, they weren't their typical clientele until the owner introduced a menu of mocktails. But I've been a regular here for some time."
Akechi supposes it's rather possible that he inspired that facet of the menu, but he's never asked Muhen himself. Muhen has always accepted his presence here.
It's even more of a relief when he reassures him that he's been forgiven. He doesn't need to be but - he wanted to be.
"Oh? Do you? Well I'm glad you're so taken by it. It's a nice place to take some time off, especially when they're staging a performance."
Ren however asks for 'what's good here' then 'What's your favorite?'. "I rather enjoy the special on Friday, but there's nothing on the menu I actively dislike. They're all quite good. I think I'll have a Soultini myself."
Which is when Muhen comes over from behind the bar. "Thanks for waiting, Akechi-kun. Can't say I've ever seen you here with anyone before." Akechi leans back to regard him, "Let's just say I'm making an exception tonight." "Heh." Muhen says with a smile which seems almost a little fond, before turning to Ren. "This is Ren Amamiya, an... acquaintance of mine."
He says, swapping out the word friend at the last second, because it'd be presumptuous. Ren after all had said they weren't, recently. And even forgiven... it's best he not say that.
"Good to meet you, Amamiya-kun." Muhen replies with a nod of the head in that casual manner of bowing, "If you're hanging out with Akechi-kun, then you're always welcome here. I hope you enjoy your time here tonight. Need more time to look over the menu or, can I get you anything?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Maybe one day, Akechi will come to understand the appeal of the stars. One day.
For now, Ren is content for the two of them to try to understand each other through sharing these things and places that are important to them. They don't want Akechi to continue to have such an influence on their emotions, and so banished Angel from the forefront of their heart, but at the same time--selfishly--they want to know him better. ...Well, it's what Akechi wants too, so maybe it works out in the end.
If he's been a regular for 'some time,' implying that the mocktails were added after Akechi started coming by, then that does suggest they were added for his sake. Ren hums in interest, though he notes that Akechi focuses more on 'there's nothing I dislike' over 'this is what I like the most.' When Muhen walks up, Ren looks up at him. He does seem to look at Akechi with some fondness, and for a fleeting moment, they're reminded of Sojiro. ...but more importantly... this is the first time Akechi's brought someone else here?
Ren reaches a hand up to brush some loose locks of their hair back. (Akechi might note that their fingernails are painted black.) If Akechi were to try to court a girl, damn if he couldn't do an amazing job of it... Or maybe not, on second thought, because it's all about being that one person. And that's them, isn't it? He's consistently really good at making them feel--special.
Of course, Akechi being Akechi, he immediately turns that around by calling them an 'acquaintance' rather than a 'friend' or anything else. Ren looks over at him, careful to keep their expression neutral. An acquaintance, huh...
...maybe Akechi doesn't know what kind of relationship they have, either.
"Thanks," Ren says to Muhen, deciding to leave it alone. They give the question a couple seconds of thought; then they tilt their head towards Akechi. "I'll have what he's having." The 'Soultini,' he called it.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Would it be written in the stars, if he did?
It's a messy, contradictory dance the two lead between each other. Banishing Angel from his heart, might as well be Akechi trying to tell himself from time to time that Ren Amamiya doesn't matter to him.
That he could kill him any time he wanted.
But the fact they're still here begs the question to himself in the quiet - 'Why haven't you?'
"Hey great choice." Muhen says of Ren's selection. "I'll have that out for you two right away so you can enjoy them during tonight's performance."
Muhen is quieter than Sojiro perhaps, sensing Akechi's independent streak, however - he does obviously care about him as more than just 'a regular'.
Even if Akechi himself would never think that.
"There's something different about you tonight." Akechi says as he raises a hand to his chin, like he's using his 'Detective's Intuition.' "Did you do something to your hair?" He quips, with that light tease- almost certainly making Ren realize he's referring to his nails before he leans back, crossing his arms.
"You're in for a treat tonight. Their live singer is truly something else..."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's a good question, isn't it? Why hasn't Akechi killed Ren yet? He knows they're a threat to him and his goals. He knows they've got the convictions to carry through their ideals and not be dissuaded from that. Sooner or later, they and their friends will find out about Shido, and they'll inevitably want to change the heart of a scumbag as abominable as he is.
So why not kill him now? Isn't it more dangerous to wait?
...It's a question that doesn't need an answer, anyway. Akechi already knows. He just doesn't want to admit it to himself.
For Ren's part, they nod at Muhen, noting what he says about a performance. There was something on the chalkboard outside about a live singer tonight, though they didn't have time to more than glance at it on the way in. That must be why Akechi chose specifically today to invite them here.
They blink at him when he comments on 'something different'--their hair, maybe? They scoff and roll their eyes good-naturedly. "Yeah, I dyed it from black to off-black." They hesitate a split-second, then decide to hold out their hands. "Had to make it match my nails."
They aren't just painted black; they're also a little long. Just enough to feel it if they were to drag them down someone's skin. Ren's always kept them like that, though, so that wouldn't be a new observation to Akechi--it just might stand out now that they've been applied with polish.
A treat, though, huh. Ren rests their hands on their thighs, slouching as they are so often wont, considering their response.
> You wanted to give me a treat?
> I'm looking forward to it.
"I'm looking forward to it," they decide to say. The other one... could be taken as a little suggestive, and they don't want to make this weird. "I've never been in a place like this before. How'd you end up a regular here?" A second of thought, and they add, "Let me guess--it was related to one of your cases?" The clout of being a detective does seem like the best way to get his foot in the door, and if Akechi had helped Muhen out specifically in some way...
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
You tie yourself in knots trying to find an answer that's not the obvious one. Something that skirts off the side of it. The desire for something more to life than living for the downfall of one man is a serviceable explanation.
Someone you can define yourself against.
"It's a good color for you." He replies easily to Ren saying he dyed it to off-black from black. Before he changes into a more serious discussion of it.
"I didn't know you had interests such as that. Most guys our age would excuse such things by saying their female friends pressured them into letting them practice. ... But if I don't miss my mark, it's not only that reason." He certainly doesn't sound negative about it. More like he's integrating this knowledge into what he knows of Ren Amamiya already.
"You truly never fail to keep me on my toes."
But just as he speculates on Ren's nails, Ren speculates on how he became a regular. Akechi glances at Ren, weighing the answer then-
"Haha, it would be easy enough to claim it were so, but- no, not at all. Some of my earliest memories are of Jazz."
He explains, "I didn't have much to entertain myself with but we did have an old record player, several records. Some days I'd listen to them over and over again. So... it's more like this place drew me in, once I learned it existed."
Ren did ask what he found beautiful... after all.
"There's no place more relaxing for me than right here."
Muhen comes back with their drinks, "Thanks for waiting. Here's your order." The soultinis look like elaborate cocktails. A gradient of deep blue, to green that bleeds into pale yellow, ice cubes floating at the top, with a pink Camellia flower garnishing it.
"Just in time, thank you." Akechi says with a nod. "Muhen's bartending skills never disappoint. Looks like it's starting..."
Which is just in time, as a pianist sits down at the grand, adjusts the bench, and begins playing a low melody, with a background percussion accompaniment from a track overhead.
The singer then steps up to the mic, a woman in her mid thirties, hair adorned by a pink floral pin, wearing a black cocktail dress with hose and high heels.
Then she begins on time- to sing in English with a yearning feel to give the melody voice.
No More What Ifs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZz50FA4y8
/o~ People come and they go...
/o~ Some people may stay with you though
/o~ I am all alone tonight and I kept on
/o~ Asking myself questions...
/o~ Conceited I was at time
/o~ I never really doubted myself
/o~ But tonight got me thinking about it all
/o~ If I am the fool or what not...
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Everything that is exists only in relation to everything it isn't. ...something like that? However the two of them come at each other, whatever the two of them are to each other, and whatever excuses Akechi makes not to slay them--just--yet, it beats being stuck on a path in the woods.
"Maybe next I'll dye it raven black. That glossy sheen drives the goths wild," Ren jokes. The faint humor in their expression fades to neutral when Akechi remarks on the fact that their nails are painted at all. He's not wrong... they let that implication be their excuse when Yukari and Akihiko confronted them about it. And he's also right; it's not the only reason. They smile briefly when he comments on how they keep him on his toes.
...Maybe they could safely tell him they're X-gender. If he accepts Tsubasa, who is not afraid to be who they are out loud and at the top of their lungs, then... he's sure to accept them too.
Another time. They're not telling Akechi before they tell the rest of their friends. And... after Kamiya's Palace, they think they're finally ready to tell them all. They just need to find the right opportunity.
Ren blinks at the revelation that, actually, a case had nothing to do with it. It's actually much deeper and more personal than that. Their dark eyes soften behind their flat lenses. It makes them a little emotional, actually, to imagine Young Goro listening to jazz records over and over, finding joy and comfort in something so simple. "...That is beautiful," they remark quietly. An idea pops into their mind, and they add, "Why this place specifically, though? Do you not have a record player at home?"
That's the moment that Muhen returns with their drinks, though. Ren looks at the gorgeous gradient of colors with wide eyes and gives him a nod of gratitude as they accept their drink. "Thanks," they murmur, taking a moment to touch the camellia and confirm it's real.
They look up at Akechi, then over at the stage. It is just in time, and they take in the pianist and the jazz singer as they perform together to a backing track. It's good for Ren that English is one of their better subjects; they understand the lyrics, and take them in as they lean their chin on one hand and toy with their drink's straw while listening with eyes shut.
It is a yearning, bittersweet sort of song, and they tap a finger on their temple to the beat. As they listen, their eyelashes part, and they gaze off into the distance for a moment before sneaking a peek at Akechi.
Is this song meant to be another subtle confession? An expression of his own feelings for them, conveyed in a plausibly deniable way?
...ha, maybe they're the conceited one.
Their eyelashes flutter shut again as they lose themself in the soft melody. Whether it's meant to be a confession or not, it's important to Akechi. They want to pay attention.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Remind me not to follow you around in Harajuku, lest you gather a conspiracy." He quips, with a small smile at his Goth comment. A 'conspiracy' being another word for a flock of Ravens.
Hohohoho he's so clever Ren will never guess that Akechi means he's actually surrounded by a conspiracy.
Whether Akechi has guessed or not, he's at least not the type to out Ren out loud. The truth is though, he only suspects to some degree that Amamiya doesn't ascribe to strictly masculine gender roles- but he's not going to pry further than he has.
Ren saying his explanation is beautiful causes him to relax some, until he asks why this place, and Akechi considers the matter. "In part, variety, Muhen has a much better collection than I could ever gather on my own. But... there's something to a live performance that is that much more relaxing I suppose. It's an option I didn't have when I was a child."
There's more to it, but he's not about to share that. His Mother used to sing to him. To sing along with the records- but just to sing. That's why it's so relaxing for him, that sense of nostalgia.
It evokes the idea that he can almost hear her voice again.
When Ren does eventually taste the mocktail, it's good, nice and bittersweet- like a martini that has layers of flavor to it, sans the vermouth and alcohol of course. It seems to fit the song perfectly, almost like Muhen crafted it specifically for numbers like this.
Akechi looks, calmer himself, as he listens, paying attention to the singer. His face, unreadable- but relaxed more than perhaps Ren's ever seen him. Almost like he's a different person. At home in the chaotic synergy of melody and lyrics.
/o~ I do not
/o~ Regret with my choices I'm rather proud
/o~ Ooh yet I know I won't change
/o~ Anything
/o~ Because I can only be me so
/o~ How can I be so sure?
/o~ At a crossroads I'm afraid too
/o~ But I can't let fear get the best of me
/o~ Someone once said burn my dread babe...
/o~ Who knows what tomorrow holds?
/o~ Just wanna live my life the way I want
/o~ What fills up my soul is passionate
/o~ Music that makes me want to sing...
/o~ My story will be starring me just like yours ooh ooh
/o~ Who knows when will it end
/o~ What matters most is how you bring joy to life so...
With the final word held, the music trails off, until the song fades to silence.
The room applauds of course, once everyone thinks it's safe to do so. From Akechi, there's something of a contented sigh, before he turns to face Ren again.
"... I never regret coming here." He murmurs to him. "I suppose you could call this my 'go-to' place... sort of like the Leblanc for you."
He adds, before smiling, "Though... I can't say the circumstances are exactly equivalent. It would be next to impossible for me to acquire an attic living space when this place is itself, a basement." He quips, with a chuckle.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
'Remind me not to follow you around in Harajuku, lest you gather a conspiracy.'
"....."
yeah ren just lets that one slide. Some things you simply can't safely engage with.
At least Akechi's passed the fingernails test. Ren had removed their nail polish before going out to the planetarium with him, having been concerned about his reaction and not wanting to deal with it. Now... if Akechi's going to be vulnerable to them, they can at least offer him a measure of vulnerability in return.
Ren doesn't care about most people's opinions. What others think of them has no bearing on who they really are.
Ren cares very much about Akechi's opinion. They can only accept this now.
It makes sense that Akechi comes here for the variety. Just a look around shows how much music he's got available to listen to, and that's before taking the live singer and pianist into account. That is something special that a poor child wouldn't have gotten to have. "Mmm," they murmur in acknowledgement.
Ren doesn't guess about the influence of his mother--how could they? Even knowing she passed away a long time ago, they've got no way of knowing she used to sing to her son.
The cocktail does have an intriguing layer of flavors, rich and nuanced. Ren, when they take a sip during the instrumental, could absolutely believe Muhen crafted it for numbers like this. They swirl the smooth drink on their tongue for a moment before swallowing.
That earlier side peek at Akechi is telling. He does seem like he doesn't have his guard up--like he's letting himself simply bask in the music. Ren... feels like they understand that. It's how they feel when they go stargazing: without barriers, simply taking in the beauty of the universe. ...It's hard to tear their eyes away, let alone shut them, but they do it to listen alongside him.
When the song trails off, Ren opens their eyes again and lets theirs meet Akechi's. They muse that it's not exactly the same--but then Akechi acknowledges that exact same thing. Ren chuckles along with him. "I'm sure Muhen-san would let you work something out if you really wanted. He seems to like you, and I could just see you mixing drinks like an expert behind the counter."
They savor another sip of their drink. The 'Soultini' is an appropriate word... They do feel like their soul is expanding as they drink. They twiddle the straw again, but take care not to mix the layers too much to avoid smudging the colors therein. Then they glance back at him.
"...Thank you, Akechi. For trusting me with this side of you."
Especially when he doesn't otherwise trust them at all.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
You know, Akechi always intended to watch Ren's face during a live Jazz performance, just to see how he reacted - just to see if it was like the stars.
But he forgot to.
Just a few notes into the song and all his best laid plans slipped away into the beautiful chaos.
He even forgot to start on his Mocktail, but he remembers after the song has concluded. A lift of his glass, a sip. Akechi isn't into the food culture of Japan perhaps, but he can make an exception for Muhen's drinks.
It's just not what he's here for, not really. But it's part of the whole package. Ren points out at his little jest that Muhen might let him stay here, and Akechi considers the notion.
Even if there was space...
"Perhaps, but I think if I lived here it would change the entire atmosphere of this club... especially after my fans found out."
While ordinarily Akechi says the 'fans' thing as an excuse to offer plausible deniability to something else he's trying to convey, Ren may sense he truly means it here.
The last thing he wants is a bunch of people coming to his special place, people he barely knows - all trying to catch a glimpse for him rather than listen to the Jazz.
"I wouldn't want to cause him any trouble."
That's true in several respects, not just with his fans. If things go wrong with Shido - with the New World Order... anyone they sense who is connected with him in any way would be under threat.
The best thing he can do with Muhen is keep him at arm's length.
"That he keeps this place what it is - that's enough for me."
Just like himself, in a way. He can only be who he is.
But then Ren offers his thanks for trusting him, and his expression breaks for a moment, into something that seems touched, before it returns to what it was.
"Well it was the least I could do- after you shared your love for the stars."
In the background, the singer is beginning another tune, a song about finding your footing again after disappointment in someone you love.
But Akechi isn't getting lost in the music, not quite yet, "As Muhen-san stated, I usually come here by myself- but bringing someone else here has been a... nice change of pace."
And then with a slightly wry look, "Seeing as you mentioned tending bar here, it only seems fair to ask how your shifts at the Leblanc are coming along. Has Sakura-san trusted you with the House Curry Recipe yet?"
Look it's good curry, even for someone like him who doesn't really care about food so much - the fact is that Ren does.
And that's why he's really asking.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
And in exchange, Ren got to catch a glimpse of Akechi with his walls down.
Fair's fair, right?
Something so beautiful no one could possibly ruin it for them... It's a little ironic to realize that Akechi shares Minako's love of music. Ren isn't going to bring that up, but it seems like they've now got two reasons to pursue learning to play the saxophone, courtesy of So-young's connections. Maybe they can surprise them both. ...just, Minako more romantically than Akechi.
However, Akechi points out in return that working here would ruin the place. He doesn't say it like that, but Ren can read between the lines, and their smile fades. It's... sad, but probably true, they think. This is a place that's special to him, that he's never taken anyone to before now. If his fangirls started crowding the place for the chance to get a peek at him, it would cause Muhen a lot of trouble. Ren remembers how exasperated Sojiro got when a bunch of college girls showed up at Leblanc after the booth he set up at the Sumaru Hyakumanzeki Festival... That attention fell off pretty quickly, at least. In Akechi's case, as long as he's popular, he'd probably continue to get mobbed.
"Oh well," they say out loud. "You've already got an apartment and a career, so it's not like you'd need to make the extra scratch here anyway. Besides, it'd probably be hard to keep relaxing at a place where you have to work." They shrug a bit. "I'm only at Leblanc by happenstance anyway--not because I was super-into curry or coffee before I came. It's not really the same as you and here."
Something so beautiful no one can ruin it, though, huh... When Ren thinks on it, that's a devastatingly difficult thing to find--and Akechi already worried about ruining the stars for them. They can get why he'd be reluctant to risk sharing what's precious to him.
...which makes the fact that he shared this with them that much more touching--much like the look that crosses his face like a shooting star. Ren smiles at him warmly. "I didn't really share it, so much as you stumbled across it and we agreed to go see them together," they point out, tone mild. "But it could be fun to go again sometime, if you're interested."
They pause to listen to the next song, tapping a finger quietly on the table. They don't listen so closely that they miss Akechi's remark, though. "It is nice," they agree quietly.
Getting to share something you truly love with someone else... is really nice.
Speaking of things they truly love: Leblanc's curry. They smile briefly. "Not the recipe," they reply. "But he started letting me help with the prep work. Once I get better at cooking, it's just a matter of time." A beat. "I take it you heard he came back and reopened the shop?" Maybe even saw for himself, if he swung by while Ren was out.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Ren learning to play the Saxophone would be quite a surprise for him. There's a reason Akechi hasn't learned to play himself though. He simply thinks he can't create anything beautiful like that. That him trying would taint it for him, in some strange way.
Like it would pass on a curse.
"It would be interesting to learn to tend bar at least." He admits to Ren as Ren agrees with him, "It's a practical skill for a Detective to have, don't you think?"
After all, how many cases involve bars - or alcohol. How useful is it to go a little 'undercover' to be able to pose as a bartender?
"But it's not something I could do legally until I come of age. Besides, it would feel wrong to serve something you created yourself without knowing how it tastes..."
Perhaps some of his mindset on not creating something beautiful creeps in there, but, not so much.
As Ren notes he was there by happenstance, "True, though sometimes things are an acquired taste..." He replies, thinking upon the idea that he thinks Ren has come to like both things.
He does point out that he didn't share it but he stumbled across it and Akechi concedes with a nod, "Well you've shared plenty since then." He says with a smile. Because Ren certainly didn't have to.
And indeed... as Ren notes he hasn't shared the recipe, "I see. Well I'll be looking forward to trying it sometime, just to follow your progress. All the times I tried to learn to myself- well, frozen meals and convenience store food are tasty enough, don't you think?"
That kind of comment indicates what a disaster it was. Though it's also just he didn't try very hard. He gave it a go, decided it absolutely wasn't for him.
Though it's also interesting this is one of the few times he's casually admitted there's something he can't do without a wound to his ego.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren imagines Akechi behind a bar, wearing a bartender's suit and quietly cleaning glasses in between mixing martinis... "I can see it," they admit. "People open up to bartenders, especially after they've had a drink or two." Their expression flattens, though there's enough wryness there to signal Ren isn't offended. "You'd get confessions hand over fist that way."
It's true it's a moot point until Akechi comes of age. ...Ren decides not to mention that they got a part-time job serving drinks at an adult entertainment bar in Shibuya. Plausible deniability! It goes both ways.
"Yeah... To be clear, I liked curry and coffee before, too. Just... not enough to want to live in the storage attic above a curry-and-coffee restaurant," Ren clarifies. It's not something they were passionate about. ...They're definitely more passionate now, though. It's hard not to be when it's that good.
(Something they're more passionate about now: caring enough about Akechi's opinion to clear up a potential misunderstanding. It's so much easier to let people be wrong, but that's not what they want their relationship to be.)
In a similar way, Ren smiles, faintly but genuinely, as Akechi points out they've shared about their love of the stars, even if it wasn't something they opened up to him about on their own. "Touché."
Their eyes light with thoughtfulness when Akechi essentially offers to taste-test as they learn to cook. "I'll be learning to make other things, not just curry," they offer--and this time they do neglect to mention a key detail, i.e. that it won't be Sojiro teaching them. "If you've got any requests, I could try working on that."
Frozen meals and conbini food... Ren smiles nervously. "I can't disagree with you there..." Considering that's what they've been surviving on for a while now... They've been trying to cook more, but they just aren't very good at it yet. Hopefully Hibari can whip them into shape there. "It's cheaper to cook for yourself, though. Healthier, too." A beat. "...well, as long as you know what you're doing. It's not so healthy if you burn something to a crisp or whatever."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It is interesting that Akechi's functionally admitting he can't cook, though. "Is that why you eat out so often?" Ren adds, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
There's a small laugh as Ren notes he'd get confessions hand over fist. "And I'd never accept any of them. Bartenders are in a unique position to serve people at their most vulnerable. It wouldn't be exactly fair to anyone who fell for me that way."
Besides, no matter how good he got at bartending, it wouldn't be the real him, now would it? Although perhaps if a bar brawl or two broke out, it'd get out anyway...
... but liking coffee and curry, he has his Soultini in his hand, as he speaks, "It's interesting the things you come to appreciate more when your back is against the wall."
Then he takes a sip, and it feels meaningful perhaps in the idea that he was a child raised by a single mother who only - survived, not thrived. And Ren was one who was well-off. The idea of an attic at a cafe wouldn't appeal...
... not until you lose everything. But it's not a jab by him at his privilege, not really. Just an observation from someone who knows.
He raises his glass as Ren acknowledges his point with 'Touché' like a verbal fencer who pulled off a riposte, but despite their competitiveness in billiards or chess - it's not like that tonight.
It's not like he's trying to gain dominance in the conversation. It's more like he just appreciates someone he can share this with, as a new experience...
He never thought he would, share this.
"Oh? You don't say..." Akechi replies as Ren notes he'll be learning to cook other things as well. But he's never been asked for a request. "... well seeing as you're learning then. How about a simple request to start? Onigiri."
Excuse me!? Isn't he the one that usually challenges someone to aim high? However, he's quick to explain.
"It's a food that I eat all the time just to have something on the go. If you can make Onigiri that delicious enough for me to take notice - wouldn't that be a fine starting point?"
When one thinks about it, it's a rather thoughtful way of doing it though. Akechi doesn't challenge him to make some seven course Haute Cuisine right off the bat. He instead asks him to make something simple.
Ren notes that it's cheaper and healthier, and he nods in agreement, "That is true. Though, my most valuable commodity right now is time, I suppose." Which makes sense. He has enough money to live in an apartment on his own- and is obviously more well off than that as a celebrity.
"... But most of all my landlord would appreciate it if I didn't burn my own kitchen down in the attempt." He says with a blaise kind of shrug like 'What can you do?' It's not merely a form of learned helplessness, but he gives himself excuse after excuse not to think upon something unpleasant for him.
If he could cook, all he'd probably eat is like - the simplest healthy meals imaginable.
Ren however asks why he eats out so often, "Not exactly." He says, as he begins to admit the truth quite casually, for something that may sound shocking to another teenager, "It's to have conversation topics readily available. Food culture is just always in... it comes up every other interview. And if you have enough first hand experience to share your recommendations with other people, they're more likely to give more weight to your opinion."
Leaning back, he crosses his arms, "To be honest, I usually don't care about what I eat too much myself, only that I have ate enough to keep myself going." It's a common enough stereotype that eccentrics and recluses - geniuses and talented people only eat enough to keep themselves going.
But is that truly all it is?
"I suppose I just don't consider food to be all that important in my day to day life."
And yet, he recognizes that everyone else does enough to keep eating out merely to have an opinion on certain foods over others that he can share.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren pauses at Goro's response about confessions. "I meant confessions to crimes," they explain, and does not add, But it's kind of cute your mind didn't go there, Detective. "You're still right, though. It wouldn't be fair to get that kind of confession out of someone while they're drunk, either."
For a moment, they're tempted--they're so tempted--to turn the question Akechi claims he asks to his admirers back on him: What do you like about me?
They don't. What good would it do for either of them?
Ren dips their gaze to the surface of their Soultini, both over that and over Akechi's calm observation about what one comes to appreciate after a drop in one's fortunes. "...Yeah." They and their ex-best friend struggled for years with that tension of one being a have and the other being a have-not. Ren tried so hard to hold back and not make him feel bad about, for example, getting a smartphone from their parents for their fifteenth birthday when Yoshio's parents barely managed a phone call for his, but in the end, his resentment won out. Who knows how long he thought of them as someone who'd commit a violent crime before he had it "confirmed"?
They shake their head. Now it's Akechi who's at the top of the social ladder and Ren who's scraping by. Ironic. Even now, though, they have to admit they are thriving and not just surviving, so what do they have to complain about, really? Akechi isn't making them feel bad about it. That's plenty, given their respective backgrounds.
It's a curious thought, really, how much Akechi isn't trying to make them feel bad about things at all anymore. He really seems to care about their feelings now--seems to care about sharing experiences with them and not establishing dominance over them. It's nice. If Akechi hadn't explicitly called them his acquaintance, Ren might start to think they are friends now. Alas, they'll both have to continue to lack clear definition on what they are to each other. It'll have to be enough to know that it's changed for the better.
Ren blinks. "You sure?" they utter, surprised by the extremely basic request. They'd been prepared for something maybe deceptively simple but extremely difficult to master, like omurice with the egg cut open on top. Onigiri's just... packed rice with maybe a filling and a sheet of nori on the outside. They could make that with their current culinary skills.
But... could they make it well enough to make Akechi take notice? Ren's expression sharpens with intrigue. If he eats onigiri all the time, then maybe that is a good challenge--not on a flashy macro scale, but on a private, personal one. Besides, there's something about mastering the basics, right? "Okay," they agree, making a mental note of that for when they get together with Hibari next for a cooking lesson.
"Makes sense," they admit of Akechi's time. "You're always doing something, it seems like, and you don't seem like you're hurting for money." They take another sip of their drink and reflect on this. How much does it pay to be a high school detective? Would it, perhaps, pay much more to secretly be working for a shadowy Persona conspiracy--especially if you yourself are a Persona User?
That's just speculation, though--even if it does match well with Akechi's conspiracy-of-ravens joke earlier. They put that thought away for now.
When Akechi admits he doesn't care about food and only eats those trendy snacks and goes to all those restaurants for conversation pieces, Ren sits up in surprise and stares. It's surprising how not surprising that is. Didn't he have the same dismissive attitude towards sweets in real life after claiming in a commercial that he has a sweet tooth? To learn that it's not just sweets but apparently all food, that his chief concern is having the experience to lend him relevance, is so in character for the 'real' Akechi that it blindsides them. Especially since--
"Oh... Then I guess you don't really care about the onigiri, huh. Or the curry," Ren says, rubbing the back of their neck as they look away. Weird. Why do they feel so disappointed? ...They push that feeling down and settle their hand on their thigh as they look him in the eye. "You don't need to force yourself if you aren't actually interested. We have better things to do." They fold their arms and cross their legs, chin rising in defiance. "Like me beating you at pool, for example." They flip a hand to one side and joke brusquely, "And if I'm about to find out you only asked about the curry to distract me from that, I'm going to be incredibly annoyed at you."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi makes a small face as he sees Ren's actual context. It's true, given him as a Detective and his skill set. "I see. It makes sense in retrospect that that's what you meant. I suppose we haven't discussed that kind of confession in some time now."
There was a point when they stopped arguing ideology so much. He says it on the shows he appears on of course, but not to Ren, unless Ren brings it up.
The confessions by the people who had a change of Heart.
Which is why he doesn't probe into that confessions while people are vulnerable and drunk comment.
After all, where is a person more vulnerable and open, than their Shadow?
He takes another sip, the song is transitioning to another, the applause, but despite the conversation, he isn't trying to make Ren feel bad here. In a sense it was just random chance, a roll of the dice-
Wasn't it?
As it comes to the request- "Completely." He replies, with a complete self-assurance, and Ren seems to rise to the challenge, which elicits a smile.
As for how much being a celebrity Detective Pays- considerably well, wouldn't you think? If Ren even had let's say a hacker check his bank accounts, he would be considered- 'comfortable' but not so loaded as to attract notice.
"Not these days at least. My sponsorship deals and consultation fees have left me not really wanting for much..."
He takes another sip, he does mean that in the strictest sense. He does not want for anything materially.
So why does he lack so much otherwise? As a child, he thought if his mother could afford a good apartment, food, proper clothes- a doctor... then she would have had a good life.
So why does he feel so unsatisfied?
"In and of itself, not especially."
Akechi replies, in a way that might make Ren feel more disappointed, but he can feel a 'but' coming on, "But I wouldn't call it forcing myself. Sakura-san's curry is something I've acquired something of a taste for - and the fact is that you enjoy it. I find participating in your passions to be quite an agreeable use of my time."
He's not quite articulated his feelings to himself enough to phrase it in another way. More in a way that tries to disconnect his feelings from the matter. Yet, it's in there still.
"Besides, I doubt I'd need to resort to something so underhanded as to ask about your cooking to best you in a game of billiards." He says cheerfully, "Though if you'd like to attempt seducing me with your cooking as a distraction, well - I'd see it as an acceptable handicap."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Yeah. Not since we had that argument in front of Yoshizawa, I think," Ren muses, thinking back to when the three of them went out together to this very neighborhood to celebrate Kasumi being chosen to represent Shujin Academy in the at-the-time upcoming gymnastics meet.
Something had seemed off at the time about Akechi. They're still not precisely sure what it was, even with the benefit of hindsight. Ren wonders if the fact that they don't argue about that as much anymore is part of why Akechi's grown softer towards them.
"Speaking of arguments," they continue, "I talked to Tsubasa the other day about what happened." Tsubasa rather than Seki-kun, Akechi will note. Another friend Ren has grown that much closer to. (And yet Akechi remains 'Akechi.') "If you were waiting on that, you can go ahead and talk to them too." They frown slightly, dark eyes briefly troubled. "...They were really hurt. That's partly my fault for misunderstanding you, but..." That troubled look steels. "It's still for you two to work out."
After all, Akechi refused to say what he was apologizing for--not when Tsubasa deserved it more. Right?
He smiles when Ren initially accepts the onigiri challenge, only to admit he isn't actually interested in the food, only to admit he actually does like Sojiro's curry to some extent and wants to track their passions. It gives Ren emotional whiplash. It is a dry way of describing his interest, and Ren scratches their scalp. "All the better to build your case file?" they suggest dryly. They let their hand drop back to their lap. "Fine. If you happen to be at Leblanc when I'm cooking, I can still share."
It's a little funny for someone who regularly participates in others' passions out of a genuine interest in those people and what they care about, but even after coming to understand his feelings somewhat better, it still doesn't occur to Ren that Akechi might be doing the same. After all, he's essentially bumming free meals out of them by issuing this 'challenge.' Even if the food's bad, who cares? Akechi apparently doesn't. He calls it 'an agreeable use of (his) time,' and of course it is when it's literally the opposite of effort for him to eat whatever they happen to make.
Oh well. It would still be an accomplishment to make an onigiri so good even he calls it delicious. That can still motivate them.
They do snort a slight laugh when he teases them about their near-accusation. It is a pretty ridiculous concept, they have to admit--even and especially as a slightly aggressive joke--and realizing they're being ridiculous, they relax. "Pass. Besides, somehow I don't get the sense you have a food fetish, Akechi," they joke again, this time lightly. "I'll leave seduction to your future Princess and stick with billiards. And chess."
They take another, deeper sip of their Soultini, then set it down to shift their focus on the jazz singer. "...and this music."
Not every interaction the two of them have has to be competitive. They've enjoyed sharing Akechi's own passions with him... and they've both been quite rude about not giving the live performance the attention it deserves. Maybe now's the time to let the conversation lull for a few and enjoy this euphony--and the quiet pleasure of each other's company.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I believe you're right." Akechi replies in affirmation of the argument in front of Yoshizawa. "I suppose I don't see the point of relitigating it over and over again unless you bring it up. We've both made our positions clear. Only action can determine if either of us will be moved, going forward."
And well, Akechi appears to have been moved slightly personally. After all, he did help them out of apology- and fulfillment of a promise with Eiji. He hasn't decided whether they actually need to be arrested, even if his arguments haven't changed on television. After all, how would he tell the public the reasons why his positions had changed?
If the Phantom Thieves managed to convince him fully, well, perhaps that would be different, but he's also made it clear that he won't be until he knows their methods, methods which Ren Amamiya won't share.
Ren then brings up Tsubasa, and Akechi considers the Yobisute in the term. "So you've become that close already... I see." He doesn't commit to what that comment indicates to him one way or another. Just looks down at his drink for a moment, then takes another sip.
"I've been giving them space afterwards, but I suppose it is time that I pay them a visit." He at least doesn't seem to be blaming Tsubasa, or Ren for the miscommunication. It happened, it's his responsibility to work it out - or not.
'All the better to build your case file.'
This elicits some amusement from him, "Do you actually think a case file reads like a character profile for an anime? Your personal preferences don't really factor into it. Besides, I haven't documented anything of what we've discussed." He leans back, a hand still upon his glass, "The inexplicable circumstances aside-" The Metaverse, being Persona Users, "-I won't rule out that I'm being watched, or investigated myself. I'm unpopular with the police, and there's still too many unknowns about that man in the Black Mask."
That's really as close as he's dropped 'plausible deniability' in real life as Ren's ever seen, isn't it? This place must truly be one that Akechi feels safe in, to let the mask slip.
"Regardless- I think I'll take you up on that."
He's still thinking of how Ren spoke about seeing the stars again perhaps in the future with him. An idea comes to mind- but he's decided to keep it to himself for now. He needs to do some research.
"Suit yourself." Akechi says with a wink that borders on flirtatious, as he speaks upon his future Princess. Before the music changes, the live singer begins to start up, and just like the two are in synch in this regard, Akechi drops off from the conversation as the more upbeat picks up.
Platinum - Jazz Cover - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYfr73jhvqI
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ I am a dreamer...)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ With a hidden power...)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ My world)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ Is made of dreams, love, and worries.)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ But there are still things lying hidden)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ That I can't even imagine.)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ Facing the sky, like all the different trees,)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ I'm gazing right at you.)]
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
He's right again. Both of them have made their positions clear: Akechi won't be convinced without knowing exactly how The Phantoms change hearts, and Ren is certainly not going to be the one to let him in on that secret. There isn't really a point in arguing it further until that changes. At least Akechi was moved enough by Eiji Kamiya's evils to help out despite that--though maybe it's because it was one of Kamiya's more severe victims who requested and was fighting for a change of heart.
A lot of people had been alarmed when Ogre had requested Phoenix's greatsword. Joker had not. They know how strongly she felt about Kamiya getting his heart changed, and they were confident that she would maintain her convictions. Akechi would have seen that moment too when she cut off not just her hair but her painful past with her ex-fiancé. Maybe that's part of why he was moved, even if only a little, just long enough to help The Phantoms when they were on the ropes... Ren knows enough about his mother by now to realize how personally he might have taken it.
Not to mention what Akechi said about seeing how frustrated Joker was by the Cognitive Patriarch...
Ren doesn't bring that up, though. They don't comment either when Akechi comments on their yobisute with Tsubasa. Jealous? they kind of want to tease--but they don't.
It's not much of a tease when the answer is probably 'yes.'
"Yeah," they agree instead. "Giving them a call or a text as a heads-up first might help. Make sure they're ready and open." Tsubasa's stressed out over unwanted people just barging into their life right now, after all. A call or text is also barging in, but it's less of an intrusion than just walking up to them would be.
Do they think a case file reads like an anime character profile? Ren can only shrug. "I don't read case files." They just have them written about them, as the implication goes. For all they know, maybe all their tiny personal interests do get written into it. It'd be one reason for Akechi to spend so much time reaching out to them beyond his personal feelings. It's sure a more plausible reason than just because he wants to be around them--not when he's such a busy person for whom time is his most valuable resource.
(I've been far too busy to be searching for romance- though, if I were to find the right girl... well, I certainly would find a way to make time for her, Akechi had said during his interview on Good Evening, Sumaru. Ren had watched that interview, and that line had stood out to them, considering how often Akechi makes time for them. However, even understanding he has a crush on them, they also understand that he's a detective first, and detectives be detectiving.)
His other excuse makes sense, though. Ren nods slowly, absorbing the reminder that Akechi is unpopular amongst his law-enforcing peers (might be a part of the New World Order) and needs to protect his privacy. Ren wouldn't have guessed that he hasn't written down any notes about them, but... it is true that they've both got circumstances that would sound crazy to normal people.
Not to mention the one in the black mask. Ren gives him a long look before they nod once. "Yeah... Point," they concede.
He really is comfortable here.
They smile slightly when he talks about seeing the stars with them again sometime. The two of them didn't really get to fully enjoy their visit to the planetarium, after all, and for all the complications in their relationship, Ren enjoys spending time with him too. Heading back there sometime is something to look forward to--hell, not even just with Akechi. They ought to invite their other friends there too... and here. They've got to check out the Friday drink special sometime, after all.
They chuckle when Akechi winks. "I will," they say. It crosses their mind to wonder how Akechi's love life is or isn't coming along if he's still flirting every so often, however playfully--but then, what's the harm in joking around about something that won't come to pass anyway? Ren won't be flirting back anymore, but they can let him play around.
For now, the two of them can listen together to a jazzy remix of a song about a dreamer.
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ I want to find it, I want it to come true)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ I have faith, and with that alone, there's nothing I can't overcome)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ As if singing, like a miracle, my feelings will change everything)]
[ansi(+dodgerblue2,/o~ Enough to shock me, I know it, I know it...)]