2026-03-13: Check and Mate
- Log: 2026-03-13 Check and Mate
- Cast: Minako Arisato, Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi
- Where: Iwatodai Station
- OOC Date: March 13, 2026
- IC Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2012
- Summary: While Ren and Minako go to buy a study guide for a study date, Akechi runs into them and makes pleasantries. The instant Ren leaves to buy drinks, though, Akechi's tone turns a lot sharper towards Minako, who's lying about the nature of an injury she's nursing--but Minako isn't one to get pushed around, and a cutting observation leaves him floored.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako and Ren are having a study date. It's a date that involves studying.
And there is a giant, terrible, awkward thing: she clearly got hurt, because she winces and moves in a way that heavily favors one side. Her ribs aren't broken -- she learned that after getting checked over -- but they are bruised, and her entire side is a giant black-and-blue bruise where she hit the pavement from the fight with Kurou. But Minako couldn't explain to Ren; she had to smile, say she "had a bad fall," and it's hard to offer an honest explanation.
So the jaunt into Bookworms to get a study guide is also a chance for her to sit down, for a second. There is a chair in the back, near the bookshelves with the study guides. She looks up at Ren, and she smiles at them.
"I'm really sorry," she says, again. She says it because she hates lying to them, by omission, and there's a look of guilt and regret in her eyes. "I, um. I didn't realize how winded I'd get, you know?"
She shakes her head. "But I want to study with you," she says, and reaches over to give their hand a squeeze. "Just... ow."
If only she could tell them why she got hurt.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Fall midterms--one of many dreaded exam times--are next week. It feels like it's been a while since they spent time together, and given how awkwardly their last conversation went, Ren asked Minako if she'd want to do some studying together. She said yes. The two of them agreed to head to Bookworms to get a good study guide; Minako explained she'd had a bad fall, and Ren's more than happy to take on the burden of travel if she's in pain.
It seems a lot worse than she made it out to be on the phone. It's not like they can see her bruising under her clothes, but it's clear that she's in a lot of pain and probably should be resting in bed at home, if not seeing a doctor. She's made it clear she doesn't want to do that, though, so Ren's trying to respect her boundaries and not push it.
It is hard, though. They care about her, and it's hard for them to see her in pain and be expected to just... not ask.
But that's the premise of their romantic relationship--that they're together so they can have fun and not think about bad things--so they smile back. "You don't need to apologize. You can't help that you fell," they reassure her. They offer her a grin and a wink, even. "But if it gets too bad, maybe I can carry you again."
They accept her hand and squeeze back. They keep smiling, but it dims, and the look in their eyes is briefly troubled. Then their expression revives.
"Hey, if you're sore, I bet a cold drink would help," they suggest. "How about I grab a couple from the vending machine upstairs? Earl Green, right?"
It might be soothing to press against her injuries for a bit.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Midterms are coming.
And perhaps what most students right now would think is the most enviable of Goro Akechi's qualities at this moment in time is that he is utterly unbothered.
Which is why, when he enters Bookworms at a moment where they're holding hands, his presence might seem exceptionally suspicious. The way he seems mildly taken aback, is very suspicious. Like this is of course all an act for them to run into each other.
"Well this is a surprise. I certainly didn't expect to run into either of you here."
It has to be, right? There's no way it's some coincidence.
"I was just dropping by to pick up a hidden gem I found in this shop that I put on layaway."
Seriously!? How transparent a lie! All it'll take is for him to approach the counter as there's no way he just set this up.
"If you're on a date, then I suppose I could always just pick it up and be on my way." He offers, as he steps towards the counter with Bunkichi standing at the counter.
"Hello, I'm here to pick up my first edition of 'The Dwarf' by Edogawa Ranpo."
"What'd you say!? Is that some comment on my height? You know it's rude to just point that out about someone's looks, Sonny Boy."
Akechi looks like he would have an anime sweatdrop on his face, when Mitsuko joins in, "Ah I'm sorry, his hearing is quite bad. You're that nice young man from the other day. Dear, can you check behind the counter?"
"Really!? Well, why didn't he just say so?!" Miraculously, he does in fact pull out a wrapped up old novel and Akechi opens his wallet, sliding a great number of bills across the counter. "Aha... thank you. I do appreciate you holding it for me. I didn't have enough cash on me at the time. Do have a nice day."
Wait, was he REALLY telling the truth!? It's still suspicious though! VERY suspicious.
Opening his briefcase, he places the book inside, before swinging by to then ask, "Before I go- I did want to ask how well the two of you were weathering those rumors circulating right now. They're not getting you down, I trust?"
He does actually sound, concerned?
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
It's the premise of their relationship -- and it's one that Minako has given a lot of thought to, lately.
"I'd love to be carried," Minako tells them with a wink. She smiles and squeezes their hand back. Her eyes light up at the offer -- and then she nods. "That would be great, Ren. Thanks. And you know what I like~"
She is thinking of putting it against her aching ribs.
Then, Akechi enters -- seemingly surprised, and Minako is immediately suspicious. Her eyes narrow at the detective, and she tilts her head to the side. "Is that so," she says, rather than asks.
Then she bites her lip at the misunderstanding from Bunkichi. (To try to not laugh.) But then, it seems, Akechi was telling the truth. She turns to look at Ren, giving them a look that says: 'Can you believe this guy?'
She looks back at Akechi, then. She blinks -- at him and the concern in his voice. "I'm okay," she says. "Ren explained to me and... you know. People say stupid stuff. There's... a certain American philosophical term for it." She fights a smile and loses. "It's called bullshit, and I put more stock in Ren than that."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Enviable, or infuriating? ...Maybe a little bit of both.
Ren doesn't pay the ring of the doorbell any mind when someone else enters the store. They're focused on Minako, happy to see they were able to cheer her up a bit. They bow in a joking yet courtly sort of way, raising up her hand in theirs.
But as they rise, they hear Akechi, and look over to see him staring at them and Minako holding hands. It does seem suspicious, and they raise their eyebrows at his claim to be here for a layaway order--but they also know Akechi is too good to make a lie that he couldn't back up with plausible deniability.
When he goes off to pick it up, Ren watches him go, then looks back at Minako as the store owners banter with him. They read that meaning in her eyes, and they smile slightly and shrug. ...Their vibes on Akechi seem to have mellowed out some. Before, they might have rolled their eyes in irritation, but now...
Indeed, while they don't let go of Minako's hand when Akechi comes over after all (because of course he does, even though he just said he'd pick up his order and leave), their slouch is relaxed as he voices his concern. Minako speaks first, and they let her; when she names it the American philosophical term of 'bullshit,' they grin affectionately at her.
"Couldn't have put it better myself," they say. Their expression returns to its former mildness. "So anyway, Minako, you still want me to get those drinks?" In other words: 'Are you okay with me leaving you alone with this guy?'
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I'm familiar with it, as well as the synonymous concept of <'Horseshit'>." As Akechi briefly slips into English with a mischievous look on his face. "As well you should though. He just isn't the type to do something like that." Not that Akechi needs to talk Ren up, but he certainly believes it anyway.
He puts a hand on his chin, looking at Minako, "I am slightly surprised you're not more concerned for his reputation. But, ah well. I suppose it's understandable given how Shujin just is."
Ren signals something to Minako, and Akechi certainly understands the implications. It is his girlfriend after all. He obviously wants her to be comfortable when an... undesirable element is around.
"Have the two of you finished studying for your midterms?" He asks, casually, after all. He has to make small talk while Ren is still around to have an excuse to remain here. "Given that you're here today, I suppose I was wondering."
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako realizes, then.
Ren isn't as on edge as they had been about Akechi. They seem more mellow -- even more accepting. This gives her pause, but only momentarily. If they're more okay with the detective, then she should try to be the same.
She looks sideways -- and she grins sideways, and a little crookedly, at Ren. Even if the lying is hard for her -- even if the obvious omission is awkward -- they do like each other, and part of it is their sense of humor and values. She smiles a little more warmly. Then, Akechi speaks of a related concept.
And that gets a hard gut laugh from Minako, who laughs -- and then winces, her hand coming to her badly bruised side. "Ha... ha, that's too funny, Akechi-san," she says. She looks back at him, then.
"We're going to study together," she says. "We're grabbing a study guide. I... fell, and hurt my side, so... I needed a breather."
When Ren asks their question, Minako's crimson eyes turn towards them. She considers, for a second. She wants to be able to support Ren -- and that means holding her own. "Sure," she says. "I could really use it, if it's okay."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren doesn't laugh as hard as Minako does, but they do snort and smile at Akechi's flawlessly smooth follow-up. Their English is pretty good, thanks to all the reading they do, so fortunately for them, they were able to catch that joke. When Akechi underscores that they're not a philanderer, they rub the back of their neck with a small but pleased smile.
It really does feel nice for him to have faith in them.
But then Minako winces, and Ren gives her a concerned look, letting their hand slip out of hers as she clutches her side. Still, if she didn't want to talk about it with them, surely she wouldn't want to talk about it with Akechi, so they tuck their hands in their pockets and shrug again. "I told you before, I'm used to it," they remark to Akechi. "She knows about my reputation there, too."
Have they finished studying? Wow... That sure is a question. Ren manages to hold back a grimace. "Just about to head out for that," they reply, then nod as Minako explains about the study guide. They see the way she hesitates, but she does say yes--and she clearly was looking forward to it before Akechi showed up.
They give her a nod--shoot Akechi a stare--and then lope off to leave the bookstore and get those drinks.
That vending machine is two stories up, though, so it might take them a few minutes before they return--especially if the machine's out of Earl Green and they have to decide what to get instead.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Aha." He chuckles, though ceases when he sees the pain Minako's in from laughing, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I watch a lot of Western films and that phrasing is... rather commonplace. Are you quite alright?"
Ren catches his attention though in short order, "That's true, you did. Though I admit that it did concern me some, nevertheless. Especially given the 'nature' of Shujin's fixation on reputation."
It's not impossible that they might use such as a pretense. Schools do have strange rules on students dating after all.
Minako notes they're going to study together, but that she fell and hurt her side, Akechi murmurs quietly, "I see..." Trailing off, like he's lost in thought. Before he gets a stare from Ren, and Akechi smiles at him as he leaves.
Then he looks back at Minako, "A fall, you said..." Before eventually he asks quietly, like he's dubious of her account, until he outright just says it, "... are you quite certain it's not an injury from a Shadow? I'm well familiar with SEES, given my past history with Sanada-san and Aragaki-san."
He watches her face closely, as if assessing her reaction.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Mm-hm," Minako murmurs after Ren. "Ren's reputation... I know about it. And it doesn't bother me. People should see someone for who they are, not what others say they are like without knowing them." She looks up at Ren, then and she smiles -- and nods, as if to say it's okay.
And that she is okay.
Which leaves her alone with Akechi.
Akechi, who drops quite a bomb -- and Minako's eyes widen in pure shock for just a moment. Her back goes rigid, for a moment. He has a history with Sanada and Aragaki? He-- She tenses, then her expression becomes more measured. There is a glance in the direction Ren left -- to be sure they're not in earshot. "...It was with SEES. I was hurt in a fight. Ren doesn't know. He... can't know."
Her eyes turn back towards Akechi. "You know about all of that," she says. Like before, it isn't a question. "I didn't sense anything."
She swallows, hard.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"As you say then. If it doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother you. Far be it from me to say that it ought to."
It does bother Akechi. Certainly Ren has an unjust reputation and while one can't just prove that to people given that it has the force of law, this facet can be changed.
Defended.
Does she just not care to defend him?
Well, he doesn't ask, he instead goes on the attack in his different way. However, Akechi arches an eyebrow, "And here I thought that he already knew... I had supposed it was something of a white lie so that he wouldn't fuss over you so much as an injury in battle."
Does he actually think it's strange that Ren doesn't!? ... Well, he knows something that Minako doesn't know, and can't say for different reasons.
Her surprise at that is something he answers to, "You wouldn't. My Persona is 'Robin Hood' and it has a narrative of trickery, so to speak, as a highwayman that ambushed nobles in the forest."
He then puts a hand to his chin.
"I'm not certain I understand the problem exactly. Why can't he know?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
She blinks at Akechi's response. The way he says that it should bother her, in so many words.
Minako wonders: what is she missing, here?
But Akechi goes on the attack, and that puts her on the defensive.
"How... how on Earth could I tell him?" Minako asks -- rankling a little, now, to call Ren 'he.' But she doesn't know if Akechi knows that they're X-gender, and she isn't about to out them. She looks at Akechi -- blinking when he says his Persona hides that. She nods, though.
"We want to give each other a break from... from all of the bad things," Minako says. "I can't trouble Ren with that. And... he doesn't know about that world. And once you do..."
She looks at him, crimson eyes bearing down. "You can't look away. You can't ignore that world. He's... Ren is important to me. I care about him, a lot, and... I don't want to do that to him. If you have a Persona..."
She shakes her head. "...I'd hope you understand."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi would be abashed himself if he knew he was misgendering Ren. However, he doesn't know that he is. Part of him would be ashamed and upset both that he didn't know after what he trusted him with.
"Well. If you're asking for advice, I'd start with something straight forward personally." He replies smugly, knowing full well that Minako isn't asking for advice.
He does listen to her though, and her concerns. There is some merit to what she's saying...
... if Ren Amamiya were truly a bystander, and he knows he is not. Not that he can or would share.
"To be frank, I'm not certain I do understand. 'A break' - really? Is being in a relationship with someone solely about escapism from the crueler parts of life? You're truly planning to never share this with him... ever- out of a fear of what could happen to him if he understands what you do during that 'hidden' hour?"
Akechi actually looks somewhat incredulous, though it's in part him being an ass by using her ignorance as a weapon.
"Does that mean that you don't trust him to be able to handle it?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako gives Akechi a flat look. She certain was not asking for advice. But, she is getting it -- and she is telling. Even if Akechi omits important information (and, really, information that isn't his to share).
"Of course I trust him to handle it!" Minako says, her voice sharper than before. She huffs, looks to the side, and then she speaks more calmly. "But I'm worried about what would happen to him. It's... it isn't safe. I... I hope I can tell him some day. We just..."
She looks down again. "...We wanted a place to be happy. Together. It's not... that's not escaping. It's just..."
She doesn't know what that is, if it isn't escaping.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
His gaze sharpens under her answer, "To be blunt, I don't think that you do." He lowers his hand away from his chin, finally, "I also believe that you're underestimating him. If you can't now then - 'when'? Will there be wedding bells, before you do?"
Also a dick move, given that they're only in high school, but he's using it to show the logical extreme of this position. "Or perhaps not even then?"
'We wanted a place to be happy. Together. It's not... that's not escaping. It's just...'
He could relent, he's already done more than enough right now. And yet- he does not.
"A happiness built on you not sharing this significant facet of your life? Is it really about you two being happy together? ... Or you being able to deny reality for a time?"
There's a shake of his head, with a shrug of his shoulders, even with the weight of the briefcase, "Yes, I do see that keeping it from him has made you quite happy."
A beat.
"It's written all over your face right now."
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako watches how Akechi presses the point. She grimaces at the question about wedding bells -- hardly fair, she thinks. But she sees the point he is making. Her mind comes back to what she is missing. And it starts to dawn on her.
They're both impassioned about defending Ren. Minako in her way, Akechi in his. She wants to protect them from a world they know nothing about.
Akechi wants to protect Ren from a partner who doesn't understand them -- a partner who hides things from them. A partner who, she realizes as she remembers their conversation at Chagall, is worthy of Ren. That isn't the behavior of a rival who only wants to best Ren.
When her unhappiness is pointed out, it hurts. Akechi can see the flinch -- the tightening of her jaw, the way her teeth grit together. No, she isn't happy. Even when she feels happiness, even when she smiles, she isn't happy. She hates -- hates -- when people call that out. Ordinarily, she might scream or shout; she might brush it off with a joke.
But Minako knows how to hide behind more than a smile, and this realization comes in a way that comes before all else. It comes out of her lips, softly, and with genuine surprise.
"...You're in love with Ren."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
He does see that and perhaps looks all the smug for it. And perhaps given how she's reacted so far, he doesn't expect what she says next.
In fact his eyes grow wide, as he looks startled, speechless for a few long seconds then...
"... ... ... ... What did you say?" It's almost like a rasp, before. "That's. ... Ridiculous."
He could say that he's not gay like that. That he's entirely straight. Ordinarily he would. However, in the context of this situation, he supposes it's not out of the question that Ren told her that.
"Of course it's not like that." He says with somewhat more voice this time. "In what world would you think that I'm in love with him?"
He's perhaps quite glad that the other two people in the shop have terrible hearing, right now. All the same, his eyes do dart to Mitsuko to be sure.
She seems to be busying herself elsewhere.
His eyes dart back to Minako, "Our... relationship is complicated, but it's certainly not anything like that."
Such denial, so Wow.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren didn't tell Minako that. Akechi asked them to keep it a secret, and they've kept it for him.
In the most awkward of worlds, they would've returned just in time to hear Minako or even Akechi say that, though. Fortunately or unfortunately, they're a few seconds too late. Instead, the bell over the door jingles as Akechi looks back from Mitsuko to Minako and once again denies the nature of how he feels about Ren is like that.
They pause, a couple of--no, three cans of cold drinks in their hands. Earl Grey for Minako, grape Manta for themself, and... a canned iced coffee for Akechi.
They look from him to Minako and back again. They have a feeling they already know, but... "Like what?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"You're trying to protect them, too," Minako says, sharply -- not even aware of her verbal slip. Being challenged lets the pent up anger slip out. "You--"
Ren returns. Minako looks at them with wide eyes, like a deer in headlights, and her breath catches for a second. Then, she looks back at Akechi. Her expression is still hardened. Ren has a coffee for Akechi -- and that isn't missed.
"...I'll let Akechi-san explain," she says, before she sighs. Then, a smile comes to her face -- easily -- and she turns it on Ren. "Thanks, Ren. My side is really sore."
She puts the drink to her ribs and sighs.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Well... yes. I am naturally concerned about their welfare-" He responds to Minako, not even catching that Ren has come in, as what he's saying necessitates a response.
Which is rather humiliating, in the moment. They might be his just desserts and yet he finds himself more upset than he ought to be.
He watches the drink get passed and takes his own canned coffee, "Thank you. As I was saying..."
...
Akechi looks away for a moment, "... It was about something you'd brought up before but we never really had the chance to go into..."
And he'd let it go, rather than allow him to examine his feelings in the moment. Turning his wrist over, he checks his watch.
"Anyhow, I should leave you two to your date. There's a train to Tokyo that I need to catch coming into the station shortly."
...
He retreats, without really committing to an answer.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren once again looks from Minako to Akechi and back again. Yeah. Based on the white-faced tension, they have a very good guess on what just happened here, and what Minako might have just said to Akechi to make him claim their relationship isn't 'like that.'
Looks like they aren't the only one who's noticed.
They keep their own expression schooled in neutrality, even and especially when Minako masks with that smile. Given the current situation, it's much easier than usual to notice that it is a mask. "You're welcome," is all they say, though, as she takes the tea blend and presses it to her side.
Then they turn to Akechi, hold out his canned coffee, and wait, with watchful eyes, for his explanation.
There isn't really one. Which makes sense. Akechi consistently gets weird about the idea that he might have feelings for them, even though he always used to flirt with them and invite them to flirt back. Ren going out with Minako eliminated most of that, but not all. Just in case, they leave Akechi space to go into more detail... but he chooses to retreat instead.
Once more, Ren watches him go. Then they look back at Minako. "What did you say to him?" they ask, wondering if she'll say now that he's gone. Their tone isn't angry or judgmental, but it's neutral enough that it could potentially be read that way.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako frowns as Akechi avoids giving an explanation -- and then he takes off. She frowns and sighs; there's a guilty feeling, then, for what she said. She hesitates for a moment, turning to look at Ren.
"I said..." She doesn't know if she should tell Ren. It might be wrong to reveal that to them. "...I said I think he cares about you, and... I don't think it was smart thing to say."
She shakes her head.
"Sorry, Ren," she says. "I should have thought it out more."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren considers how Minako chooses not to tell them the truth--to share a less telling approximation. They can respect that she doesn't want to out Akechi by proxy, but...
"It's okay. I know he cares about me," they reassure her. They crook a small smile. "In his weird, smug, detective-y way."
They tilt their head towards the front desk. "Are you feeling up for heading out? Once we check out, we can head to Naganaki Shrine and study there, if that's not too far for you." It's nice and quiet there, and there's a bench where they can sit close and look over the study guide together.
Even if that might end up only being another distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
It strikes Minako, too. She tells them too many lies, too many half-truths, and--and it makes her think about what Akechi said. She stays quiet for a second, and then she looks up -- and she smiles back.
"Yeah," she says. "And... you know. It's good that he cares."
She nods, as she looks at front desk -- and she stands up, next to them. She winces a little, again. "Yeah. I feel better, and--and Naganaki Shrine sounds like a great place to study."