2026-04-07: It's Enough To Be By Their Side
- Log: 2026-04-07 It's Enough To Be By Their Side
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi
- Where: Outskirts of greater Tokyo metropolitan area
- OOC Date: April 7, 2026
- IC Date: Sun Oct 21 2012
- Summary: As a celebration for completing midterms, Ren joins Akechi on a trip to watch the Orionids. Akechi reveals he proposed the trip not because he's interested in the stars but because he likes how they look when they're stargazing, and Ren asks him how he feels about the Joker Killer's death.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Hey," Ren greets Akechi with a half-smile. It's after school--midterms are over--and they've changed into casual clothes in the train station bathroom: a black jacket over a white V-neck shirt, jeans, and dark shoes. They've got a couple more changes of clothes in their bag, which is cat-less to make room for everything. (Morgana stayed behind to keep an eye on Futaba, and good thing he is. Ren can enjoy themself and relax knowing he's on the job.)
They've bought their train ticket. There'll be several transfers before the two of them make it to their destination, including onto buses, over in the village of Hinohara in West Tokyo. There's plenty of guest houses, inns, and so on there, due to the tourism for those seeking its abundant nature. At most, right now, they need to purchase an eki-ben, or train station lunch, before the two of them board their train.
It won't be a long trip--just overnight--but Ren's been looking forward to it all week just the same.
"Let's get going."
~ * ~
The remains of Ren's lunch lie on their lap. They'll throw it out once they reach their transfer and there's a trash can available.
"Yeah, it went really well, actually," Ren says of their midterms. "I had a bunch of study partners who helped me out this time around." They don't think they aced it, but they're much more confident compared to their last exams, which is a good feeling considering their current girlfriend is sure to ace them.
"Speaking of..." Their amiable expression solidifies into something more serious. "I should let you know, I met the other Ryouhara..."
They'll describe Shiryuu accordingly--but it's up to Akechi to ask why talking about exams reminded them of him.
~ * ~
It's nearing sunset by the time the two of them have arrived at their inn. It's got trails leading up to a campsite, which has an excellent view of the night sky thanks to the trees blocking off the light from town. The Orionids will be most visible in the early hours before dawn, so the innkeeper recommends they head to bed early tonight and get up extra-early so they can hike up there. The inn can lend them flashlights for when they're on the trail, even.
A light dinner, a bath, and an intense game of ping-pong later, and it's bedtime, with their phone alarms set for the wee hours of the night...
~ * ~
...and up on that campsite, a thirty-minute hike up the mountain, the skies are brilliantly dark. While treetops might crowd the horizon, the campsite is large enough to have an expansive view of the zenith. Ren drapes out a thick blanket they'd brought from the room on an old bench and settles in with plenty of space for Akechi to sit too. It's a cold night; they'll need it.
But Ren's barely bothered by the cold. Their eyes are already on the heavens, lit up by starlight as they turn off their flashlight. Anticipation lifts not just their chin but their lips as well.
"It's a hell of a view, isn't it?" they murmur, hushed.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Why hello yourself." Akechi says with that smirk he ordinarily wears, but there's something else, perhaps a touch of happiness(????) taking the sharp edge off of it.
Of all the things that Akechi brought for this trip, he's in what looks like a sportsy version of a mono-color blue sweater vest over long sleeved patterned flannel. And over that, is another jacket. His pants are beige enough to look like semi-formal trousers, but look closely, at the subtle pockets there. These are hiking pants just, ones that would look acceptable even if he was caught on TV. Did he dress even for today as if he could potentially be photographed? Well yes, naturally.
And certainly he has a bag with him, a backpack. For being a city kid, he at least looks well-prepared for the occasion. For once, he does not have the briefcase with him.
"Yes, let's. We'll have plenty of time to chat on the way."
-=-=-
Akechi, like Ren bought an eki-ben and demolished it. And like him, he's waiting for the transfer to throw away his trash. Just because he's secretly ~*super evil*~ doesn't mean he'd engage in littering!
"Congratulations. it seems this trip will be well-earned then." He sounds pleased, as he references their prior conversation, "Yes I can certainly imagine that Niijima-san was able to assist with prep all too well." Is he jealous? Well yes, but he's trying not to let it show.
Is he going to call out the other Phantom Thieves as to being great study buddies?
He is not!
His expression becomes more serious as he mentions the other Ryouhara, "I see... it begs the question how many of them there actually are..." He listens quite intently, but then... "Though, I should ask, did something about our conversation on exams call them to mind? Perhaps a history question?"
No he doesn't think ninja clans were on the exam! Just, something causing a tangentially thought to bring it to mind during, or after.
-=-=-
Akechi was unsurprisingly VERY competitive during ping pong.
Now, Akechi has never once hiked up a mountain trail. Especially in the early hours of the morning, but even if Ren suspects inexperience in the city slicker, he acquits himself quite well. He's physically fit after all, with plenty of stamina to spare.
If his bangs do get a little sweaty, well! Of course Ren wouldn't be looking... now would he? He doesn't seem cold at least. After all, he has several layers on, the jacket, the sweater vest, the flannel shirt.
And when Ren drapes out the blanket, he sets his pack down, and settles down beside them. Then Akechi does the unthinkable. Even with the near lack of signal in the mountains, he not only turns his flashlight off, but his phone as well.
There's not the barest hint of artificial light here.
"Yes." He replies, looking at Ren's face out of the periphery, "I rather agree." He forces the corners of his eyes off him, and up at the sky.
"Nary a single falling star in the sky yet, and I still feel quite satisfied with this trip."
And he does mean that. There's nobody else who could drag him up a mountain where he'd enjoy it for the experience... except the person beside him.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren looks over Akechi and his outfit thoughtfully. That is a hiking outfit--plus a backpack, and his usually ubiquitous briefcase nowhere in sight. Honestly, he's better prepared for this trip than they are. (Ren's hiking clothes are, like most of their clothes, back in Inaba.)
He's been looking forward to this trip too, huh? It's kind of funny. Ren really didn't get the impression he was all that interested in the stars. Then again, Akechi and his surprises are a large part of why Ren enjoys his company so much.
Some parts of him seem so transparent, while others are as opaque as onyx.
~ * ~
"She did," Ren confirms. There's no point in hiding that, all considered. There are at least some Phantom Thieves who make for good study buddies, but Makoto is clearly the best bar none.
If he's jealous, he does do a good job of not showing it. Not only did he support and encourage Ren before, but he's being gracious now too. Of course, maybe that's because the two of them are on a trip all on their own... but considering the Orionids are a limited-time event, Ren will overlook that.
"Hmmm... Well..." Ren considers this one for a moment. No, the Phantoms already know about Umie's connection to the Ryouharas, so... "It turns out the younger one, Kurou, is roommates with Akabane-san. She asked me to study with him, and the older one, Shiryuu, came by." Ren pauses. "He's REALLY obsessed with Akabane-san. I'd be more worried about it if she didn't seem to enjoy the attention. I think he's got a crush on her and he doesn't know how to handle it."
Unlike you, Ren doesn't say. They don't know that Akechi has finally acknowledged his own feelings, but even if they did, well...
~ * ~
No surprise at all. Akechi getting competitive was, once again, part of what made ping-pong so fun. There's something about wanting to beat him that makes Ren want to strive past their perceived limits and grow even stronger...
But that was last night. Ren does figure Akechi lacks experience, but he certainly exercises enough to handle a nighttime hike. If he's sweating, the cold air will brush it away, certainly. Either way, Ren doesn't see it; there's so much more to look at, even in the dark.
Not a speck of artificial light. Ren doesn't even glance over when Akechi turns off his phone. It's only natural to do that in this context, right?
"The Orionids fall pretty infrequently--about ten to fifteen per hours. It might be a while before we see our first one. It'll come soon enough, though. Just keep your eyes peeled," Ren advises him. They do flash Akechi a smile, glancing over just briefly, when he says he's satisfied. It really pleases them to hear that. "I bet. Is this your first time seeing a view like this? In real life, I mean."
He saw something like this in the planetarium, of course, but while it was an exquisite substitute, it's not quite the same.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Rather like the starry sky itself, isn't it Ren? One might call it a great ocean of onyx.
Is he being gracious? Well... perhaps it's more that he is reining in his behavior because of the trip. After all, if he shows his jealousy, then Ren's thoughts will be upon Makoto...
... and if this is the most she comes up during the trip together, he can select for that as his preferred outcome.
Akechi however furrows his brow as Ren speaks upon whom his study partners are. "I presume she's told you that she escaped from a family that is part of 'that' organization, and an arranged marriage within it? What a peculiar roommate to take on... his feelings for her are likely the reason why he hasn't yet- but eventually, would he not be obligated to take her in?"
There is something of a sigh, as he pinches the bridge of his nose, "Ordinarily I would say 'good for her' if she's pursuing what she desires, but to be frank - it hardly seems like the most sound judgment call."
Indeed, he looks troubled. Most troubled.
Then he does make a soft sigh, "Well, she isn't much older than we are. It is hardly surprising that she's throwing caution to the wind when it comes to enjoying the attention of a bumbling suitor. Perhaps she believes she can change him..."
At least that's his ASSUMPTION of what he thinks the appeal is in a ninja lover.
-=-=-
It's only natural. However, Ren doesn't yet know how infrequently Akechi has ever turned off his phone.
He had to extract certain promises from a man who was in a good enough mood to allow him a 'night off'.
Even then, it's a risk to turn it off, should he not answer one of his proxies quickly enough if matters changed.
"Ah, I had read about that. Blink and it might be missed." He might be distracted from his full attention being on the sky. "Well, I'm wide awake after our hike and my kinetic vision is quite good... so I think we'll catch sight of most of them."
There's a smugness in his smile there, like he's bragging, but then, it smooths out around the edges at his question, looking pensive all the same.
"I probably looked up every so often during the brief time I was living with my mother's family... I was rather young though, and rarely allowed outside after sunset, so if I have... I don't remember it."
Even back then, the wonders of the stars hardly held any appeal to him. After all, what beauty could he find in most things - with the only person that ever loved him gone forever?
"So I'd say so, yes. This is the first time that a view such as this could be considered memorable for me." He explains, like he'll hold this view in his memory, though not for the experience in and of itself.
"Perhaps while we're waiting, you can continue our conversation from the planetarium. You did enjoy giving me a primer of the constellations... so I imagine, the real thing will be even better."
It's not meant to make Ren feel guilty about cutting it short of course. No- he just really enjoyed seeing him passionate about this.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
He's at least pretending to be gracious, and that's good enough. Ren's aware that Akechi's an asshole, and they appreciate when he makes that effort to rein it in. They honestly hadn't expected him to be so supportive when they reached out to him about Makoto, and they'd appreciated that too.
"...It seems strange to me too," Ren replies, who knew that Umie's terrified of the NWO but not the particulars Akechi just shared. "But..."
They rest their lips on one hand and glance out the window. Shiryuu tried to strongarm (is still strongarming, as Ren doesn't realize) Tsubasa into picking a fight with the NWO for him. It could be that he's trying to get out but wants to force someone else to take the heat for him. Maybe that's for Umie's sake and maybe not... Either way, having their own suspicions about Akechi that they can't yet put to rest, they shake their head.
"Same here. I get the fantasy, though," they add, looking back at Akechi. "There's a real ego boost to the idea that you could be so charming that you could make a bloodthirsty killer fall for you--give up his whole way of life to be with you."
They watch closely for his reaction to that, too.
~ * ~
How atrocious Akechi's bosses are, that he could be hours and hours away from the heart of Tokyo, up at the witching hour, yet still consider turning his phone off a risk.
Ren doesn't have a concept of how bad it is, though. Maybe one day.
"Right," they confirm, now simply looking up. "Shooting stars are really meteors--well, meteorites--that enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up as they fall. That's why they pass by so quickly." Ren breathes a bit of a laugh. "But I'm sure you already knew that."
After all, he's been so invested in this trip. Surely he wouldn't do that without some interest in the subject matter. Ren doesn't feel self-conscious about almost info-dumping about their interest that Akechi surely already knows about, but they are prepared to leave it at that.
They hum quietly when Akechi describes his brief childhood experiences with his mother's family. So it might be his first time and it might not, but it's the first time it'll stick in his heart.
"I'm glad," Ren says softly, raising a hand to brush through their hair and touch their neck. "The stars are... well. They're really important to me. It feels nice to have someone to share them with again."
So when Akechi prompts them to info-dump after all, their smile grows. They don't feel guilty; on the contrary, their heart swells to hear it. "Then let's start with Orion," they reply, pointing up at the sky. "It's perfect for a beginner like you, because it's one of the easiest constellations to identity. See those three bright stars right there, lined up in a rising diagonal? That's Orion's Belt. The stars, from left to right, are named Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. Then--"
Without thinking, Ren scoots closer to Akechi, to make sure he can follow their fingertip.
"--see that red star up and a little to the left? That's Betelgeuse, Orion's left shoulder. If you line that up with Rigel, that other really bright star below the Belt and to the right, you can use that as a way to find Castor and Pollux, which are part of the constellation Gemini. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Orion's important right now because--"
A stream of light flashes across the sky, seeming to start from within that constellation.
"...the radiant of the Orionids lies inside it," they murmur, eyes shining as they clutch their hands at their sides.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
A talented asshole.
As for Makoto, he was caught in a weird state there. There's an emotional whiplash when your jealousy is focused on one person you're on poor terms with, when it then shifts to someone you're on relatively good terms with.
Perhaps he still hasn't processed it all. In the moment though, at least - he did want Ren to be happy. That is something, at least.
Now, Akechi doesn't know for certain whether Ren knew that part or not, but it was a calculated action anyway.
If Ren didn't have that information before, now they do, and they can frame certain decisions going forward with it in mind.
And if he did, then there's no harm done anyway!
Akechi merely watches Ren during these moments. He knows he himself thinks that the Ryouhara's are more trouble than they're worth. And that eventually he'll be sent after them.
"Oh?" he says, at the idea of Ren getting the fantasy, before his eyes do a slow blink at the information imparted. He's not certain how he feels about that one!
Elated? But of course, Ren doesn't know he's a bloodthirsty killer! Nor can he turn away from his path for anybody.
Especially not someone he'll one day kill.
"I suppose I do as well," he says, tearing his eyes away so as not to betray some feelings there. "After all it's common enough in Detective Fiction... the... tension between the two sides. Though it is quite the gamble. You have to admire her audacity at rolling those dice."
And well... does he not admire Ren's audacity as well?
-=-=-
Akechi could never be said not to be well off from the result of the NWO's patronage.
However, if one were to compare what he makes to any other professional assassin out there...
... let us just say that he is making significantly less compared to the hours he puts in and the number of targets he kills.
He hardly cares about the money though save that he be paid enough that it isn't 'looking down on him'.
"I do," Akechi says of the distinction of what Falling Stars are, "but that hardly matters at the moment. You can assume I know little of astronomy beyond the basics, if you'd like, tonight."
So often he is the expert, and very much wants someone to know that. But tonight, he's here to listen to Ren talk about stars. The subject wherein he's the expert - and very passionate about it.
He doesn't feel any need to pull rank, or correct him on anything... not right now.
He just wants to hear him speak about the stars.
"It sounds like there's a story in that," he asides, on Ren saying they're very important to them. But, if Ren doesn't go into it, he isn't offended.
But he does show an interest in knowing it.
"Ah. Yes." As his eyes move to follow Ren's finger to that trio of the stars in diagonal, as he mouths the names in turn. Though he glances at Ren's face, as he moves closer before his eyes trace up the finger.
He looks towards the crimson dot that is Betelgeuse, then to Rigel- and resists the urge to talk about the Mythology.
Then he sees it too. The little flash of a falling star. Bright in it's brief life of burning within Earth's atmosphere.
When one thinks of falling stars there comes the idea that they can grant wishes. Goro Akechi knows better than to wish for anything. The last thing he wants is some magical entity to just grant him something he didn't work for- to control his destiny.
Even the idea of miracles, is poisoned for him.
Yet, some part of him at least thought about it, all the same. Thought about the idea of making a wish in this moment. He glances at Ren's awe-struck face.
Then as his expression softens into a smile, he says, "Quite the wonder... one might even call it a beautiful experience." He speaks softly, and while he speaks in a way that might mean the falling star...
He isn't actually talking about the stars in the moment.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Considering he got the news of the breakup and Ren's imminent asking-out in the same conversation two days after seeing Ren and Minako still dating, it's no wonder Akechi's having emotional whiplash. To Ren, though, the important thing is that he put their feelings first.
It's something a good friend would do. One who isn't trying to just get something from them.
Ren watches Akechi's slow blink. It's hard to get what he might be thinking or feeling right now--no doubt because Akechi himself doesn't know. For a moment, the two of them stare into the other's eyes.
Then Akechi looks away first. Ren listens to them, then drops their gaze next. "True. It is a gamble. Even if he does end up genuinely caring about her, that doesn't mean he won't end up hurting her or try to force her to be his. They could end up in a toxic, even abusive relationship. He's already basically got her playing caretaker to his... cousin, or subordinate, or whatever Ryouhara-kun is to him."
They raise their eyes to Akechi again. "But it's true about the audacity too."
Some people are too much of a thrill to resist, even when you know they're a bad idea. Isn't Ren looking at one right now?
~ * ~
"That's a generous offer, but I don't want to bore you," Ren replies. (Akechi might get a sense of why they're so quiet so much of the time--or at least, one of the reasons.) "If I get into something you already know about, just let me know."
At least they're trusting him to speak up on the matter--even if it's not going to be necessary. After all, it's not the subject that Akechi's interested in so much as the speaker. Ren just doesn't realize that yet.
A story, though? "Not really. At least, not much of one." Ren shrugs a little, even after they spot that shooting star. "You know I grew up in the sticks. It's really easy to see the stars out there, especially since it's a mountain town and hiking trips happen a lot for school. We do that every year, even--take a camping trip up the mountains, make curry over a fire, sleep in a tent, and so on. Out there, the stars--not just the stars, but comets, planets, galaxies, nebulas, all of it! They're all just..."
They gaze back up at the sky. Every inch of it shimmers with distant, twinkling light, particularly a milky band that forms the spine of the heavens. "...everywhere. Every time I look at them, I feel like I'm one with the universe. Like everyone's with me, no matter how far apart we are.
"I don't know. They just make me feel good." They pause to shoot him a quick glance. "Does that make sense?"
Akechi smiles at them. Ren can't help but smile back. "One would get it, then," they reply. "It sounds like you've fallen in love with the stars too."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Good thing he didn't consider the staring contest competitive.
However, he does nod along with what Ren has to say. Ready to speak until-
'But it's true about the audacity too.'
For a moment, his brain stalls out, just like, a half second. Thankfully it's a quick-rebooting organ. Nimble in it's ability to self-contradict at three times the speed of normal human thought.
"Yes... Quite true. It would make her vulnerable to such, especially as you've already noted his obsession."
He swallows as his mind whirls around constructing something, anything so as to not let that stutter step show, "In fact, in a sense - it's not impossible that she could be his mission. If he fits the archetype of the stereotypical ninja - his duty is everything to him. So what if it were his duty to bring their prodigal daughter back... this time with a suitable match?"
It's a dark sentiment- and perhaps a reach. But at the same time, it isn't without merit, given ninja 'lore' and fiction.
-=-=-
Akechi almost states that he wouldn't be bored, but that lands upon why he wouldn't be bored. As it is true that he IS bored with the majority of people.
And he'd have to say outright that he wouldn't be with Ren.
"... Very well, if you insist." He instead concedes, rather than contradict the point, and perhaps deny him more time listening to Ren talk about the stars.
The last thing he'd want is for- even though it wasn't his fault- is for Ren to leave again, in the middle of things.
He does listen to the story though- or rather the 'not much of one'. "I do." He agrees to knowing that and as he listens, there is a spike of- jealousy, in a way.
Ren having so many connections and that feeling of interconnectedness growing up in a place where Akechi felt more isolated than ever.
They truly are opposite sides of the same coin, even in how they grew up. However, despite that jealousy over it. What Ren has to say causes him to look up, for a time.
Like he was searching for it, the interconnectedness between himself and the universe.
...
...
...
And he sees nothing of the sort. Despite all this time he's spent with someone who does.
The stars always depressed him, because they always made him feel his crushing insignificance. A dust mote on a dust mote in the cosmic scheme of things.
At least, until he met Ren.
Now, not so much, even if he can't see it.
"It does." He agrees, even if he can't see it, he can at least understand that Ren feels that way - and he understands better how HE feels when Ren is talking about the stars.
"It's not a bad story, though. I think it explained why you feel how you feel quite thoroughly."
And that's what he wanted more than anything. But what Ren says last? He's a liar as a matter of course.
Even just existing as he is right now - is lying.
His mind tries to wrap around some kind of a lie, as he looks sideways at Ren, searching his face for some answer that will satisfy Ren.
Even though his answer is what he's looking at.
It is always a reckless, impulsive thing for him to speak the truth, to insert it as jokes in conversations. Even moreso, when he's serious.
But on some whim while looking at his face...
"Not especially." He answers, quietly, "I don't care all that much about the stars themselves. I just like listening to you talk about them... and seeing the earnest look on your face while you're stargazing."
... he does a reckless, impulsive thing. And for once... he doesn't add 'Just kidding' afterwards. There's no expectation of course, much less proposition. Ren is dating someone else.
But he says how he feels, while staring at Ren's face, looking into his eyes, rather than searching for shooting stars.
It is- after all, the true beauty he found in the moment one fell. Enough for him to muse on the idea of doing something he never would do.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's only a half-second of a stall.
But it is a stall, and Ren was looking for it.
Not that it especially helps. Akechi is very good at recovery, and even if he swallows halfway through his response, it's understandable given how his deadbeat dad abandoned his mom that it might be an uncomfortable topic. Ren even touches their chin when he points out about how maybe Umie is Shiryuu's mission, specifically to bring her back with a suitable match.
"...That's a good point. You... might be right," they say slowly. "I don't know if I fully buy it, but I don't know if I can disregard it either."
He got on his hands and knees to mop up Umie's floor and declared that he wouldn't let black mold get any of them. Ren's honest impression of Shiryuu is that he's kind of an idiot; it's the intellectual side of them that's aware of what he's done to Tsubasa that reasons he must be masking. If he is masking, then maybe that show of humility is a way to reel Umie back in...
...it's something they'll have to keep an eye out for. Fortunately, they've got a way to do exactly that now.
"Either way, let's both keep an eye out for Akabane-san," Ren continues. "Just in case she gets in over her head."
If anything, Akechi might know better than anyone besides Kurou what Shiryuu's mission is supposed to be--and the less he suspects that Ren suspects, the better.
~ * ~
It'd be much harder for Ren to leave this time, at least. They're thirty minutes away from the inn, in the middle of the night. Even with a trail to follow, it's dangerous to be alone in the woods after dark. Fortunately, Ren doesn't have any desire to leave right now.
The two of them are opposite sides of the same coin, though, aren't they? One lives in an attic, the other lived in a basement; one grew up privileged and now lives in disgrace, while the other grew up unwanted and now lives showered in accolades. And yet, for all that Ren is criminal trash living in a dusty attic... they have so much more than Akechi. So much of something he doesn't have at all.
Something that he can't see, even when they point it out to him.
Yet for all he can't see it, perhaps he can feel one sliver of it, connecting the two of them together like a single red thread.
Ren smiles at Akechi's comment on their story. It's not much of one, but it's not bad... It does make them happy to hear that. Half a year ago, they never would've imagined the two of them would get this close. It's funny to think about. And to think further that what's binding them together is--
'Not especially.'
Ren blinks. One could all but see the question mark in their eyes.
'I don't care all that much about the stars themselves.'
Then why... Ren's lips part to ask--but they never actually speak those words.
'I just like listening to you talk about them... and seeing the earnest look on your face while you're stargazing.'
Their eyes widen. It's a good thing it's so dark and pale out, because they can feel their face flush with heat as their heart skips a beat.
A few seconds of silence pass, wherein Akechi does not add that he's just kidding. Ren ducks their head, eyes sinking to Akechi's throat.
They of course know about his crush on them, and there'd always been a possibility that he proposed this trip out of jealousy that Ren had immediately swapped from one girlfriend to another. But... it hasn't really felt like that. It feels more like...
...like he loves them, and it's enough for him just to be by their side.
Ren's heart breaks into a sprint.
They don't just feel loved. They feel seen and accepted for who they really are.
In that moment, they remember why they always used to think of Akechi in the same context as Minako--and they realize they haven't really stopped. In fact, their feelings have only grown stronger over time, and the fact that they've been dating someone else kept them from breaching that forbidden borderline.
They love him, too.
They turn to press their back on the bench, gaze still down, heart still pounding. Except... Akechi said it before: there's such a thing as an emotional rebound. Ren broke up with Minako only a short while ago, and while they asked Makoto out right after, the two of them haven't been able to go on a date yet. Part of them is still lonely. Aren't they just getting caught up in the swell of Akechi's feelings for them?
Do they really love him, too? Or do they just love the ego boost he's giving them?
"I..."
And if they do love him--where does that leave Makoto?
...When she heard about Minako and Makoto, Kasumi had jokingly called them a playboy. They wonder if maybe she was on to something. With their heart in this much chaos, they honestly don't know what they feel.
"I-I'm flattered," they eventually stammer, because they have to say something, as they rub the back of their neck. This slips around to a rub of their shoulder. "I-it's really cold out... I should've brought an extra layer or two, like you."
Fortunately or unfortunately, they did bring a blanket. Ren turns away from him to busy themself with folding one side of it up and over themself for a moment, which also gives them an excuse to scoot away a little and look at anything but him. Just for a moment, while they regain their emotional balance.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Well, Akechi isn't certain he would fully buy it either. It is reaching. More likely that Shiryuu and Kurou aren't exactly loyal, like many of the NWO's Persona Users.
Including himself!
"As you say. I'll keep an eye on her to make certain they make no suspicious moves against her."
It is after all, the best they can do. He's hardly going to try and talk a girl out of their crush.
Arrogant though he is, he knows that is 100% certain to fail outright.
-=-=-
Half a year ago, Akechi would have never thought this would be the outcome. Him to be in love.
At best, he thought he might have a potential rival in Ren Amamiya. And here he is tonight, stargazing... a subject he never had any interest in before.
He can see Ren's reaction, the confusion, the surprise, the- well he misses the blush and he can't hear the heartbeat.
However, then, as Ren's eyes sink, Akechi perhaps gets a touch anxious. Did he ruin it? Did he ruin this night? Perhaps a lie would have been easier.
His anxiety does tend to get the better of him, when socializing with peers. His breath catches, and he considers apologizing for it.
"Ah." He breaks eye contact, not understanding where Ren's mind is, even as he says 'I...' "I'm-" 'I'm flattered' It interrupts the thoughts of apologies.
Now he's stunned, as if assessing those words- trying to sort through his feelings.
'I-it's really cold out...'
Then he looks away. Ren may be flattered, but as he busies himself-
"I apologize if I crossed one of the boundaries you previously set." He says, looking up at the stars instead as Ren, "It wasn't my intention to flirt given that you're seeing someone, but I understand how it might be taken that way."
Stupid
Now you've made things awkward
There's another falling star, in it's bright brief life span that crosses his vision at that moment.
"There-!" He exclaims, though, it's probably impossible for Ren to catch it at that moment. "Ah. Another," he finishes.
For some reason, he feels all the worse for his actions having led to Ren missing one.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That's the whole thing too, though, isn't it? They're not not rivals. They had that intense match of ping-pong earlier in the night. Ren had fun with that, too--competing against Akechi in a game, seeing who could eke out the most points and claim victory.
It's just that... it's more complicated than that. For both of them.
Akechi and Ren speak over each other for a second, but Akechi cuts himself off first, letting Ren complete their sentence. Ren doesn't see that stunned look on Akechi's face, but they do hear his apology as they bundle up some. It is cold, and they didn't bring an extra layer, and drawing closer to him again at this point would be..
"No... It's okay," they murmur. "It just... caught me off-guard. Um..."
They trail off, struggling for what to say next. They don't need to, when Akechi calls out. Ren's head shoots up--and they do miss most of it, only the last split-second of a trail of light crossing their vision. Enough to know it was really there, and not an attempt at a distraction.
"...Good eyes," they say, offering him a muted smile. They look back up at the sky and feel a little more at peace--at least enough to add, "Sorry for making it weird for a moment there."
They pause, leaning back as they watch the sky anew. Even without another meteorite, the night sky shimmers in a way that's always brought them comfort.
Despite having little interest in the stars, Akechi pitched this trip to them, something they wouldn't have thought of on their own. He joined them all the way here, even turned off his phone, to take in this experience, just so he could have it with them. Because they're that important to him.
Whether their feelings for him are romantic or not, that does make them happy. They can acknowledge that much.
"...You're a really good friend, Akechi. Thank you for bringing me here tonight."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Ren's first statements do not quite convince him its fine but it at least tamps down on his anxiety a bit.
He doesn't have time to respond though, before Ren reacts to the shooting star. "Well I would hope I do better than a man with glasses." He says, with something of a joke, as if trying to cut through the tension by returning to 'same ol' Akechi'.
After all, he knows Ren uses the glasses not because he needs them, but for the image he wants to project.
"No... it's quite alright. I did say something quite... unusual out of nowhere."
It's not out of nowhere, but it's a very Japanese thing to try and smooth over such a faux pas in their speech.
There's quiet there, for a time, as Ren is contemplating his feelings, his eyes upon the sky.
Until... Ren says that. And he blinks, looking at him, almost incredulous.
For Ren not to just call him a friend but a really good one and to show gratitude for that.
It's not as if friendship was my aim
I don't need friends in my life to succeed
Yet, does he want them? At least as a child, he knows some part of him did. His mind whirls, as he self justifies, that he's someone he's trying to manipulate to eventually kill him... his rival first and foremost.
As he tries to bury the notion that he wants this - never quite succeeding.
"You're welcome... you've been a good friend to me as well, Amamiya-kun."
He does let himself to smile, and tells himself it's one of his feigned smiles.
"Besides, I haven't ruled out that the stars might win me over eventually, given how compelling your astronomy lectures have been."
That statement at least, he can say - and mean it genuinely.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren clucks their tongue, but with a smile on their lips. "Shut up," they say affectionately, catching the joke.
When was it that they revealed to him they don't need glasses? That time they tousled his hair and put those glasses on him to divert those shallow fans from ruining their outing? Or was it earlier than that? They've got so many memories together now that it's hard to tell exactly.
At least it smooths the awkwardness out of the moment. Ren's still dating Makoto right now, even if they haven't gone on their first date just yet. Akechi knows... they're not going to cheat on her. Ren feels bad about making him feel bad, but at least it didn't sour either of their nights.
It's only fair that they call him a friend--to put a positive name to their relationship, messy and convoluted as it is. They do think of him as a friend, even. At the very least... that's what he is to them. So when he says as much back...
"Glad to hear it," they murmur. They grin at him when he makes his addendum. "On both counts. That means I don't have to give up on making you my stargazing buddy."
Their gaze returns to the heavens. They could just launch into their next "lecture," but...
"So, Akechi..."
Their fingers curl into their palm.
"...there's one more meteor shower left in the year. It's called the Geminids, and it's a lot showier than this one. If you saw it, I think it'd take even your breath away."
They swallow hard, once.
"If you really meant what you just said... do you want to come back with me to see it this December?"
Maybe, with that much time... they can come to a conclusion about how they feel--and settle once and for all who Akechi and the Black Mask are to each other, too. They haven't forgotten that conversation they had yesterday about Umie and Shiryuu, and how that could well end up being the two of them.
The Phantom Thieves are taking on Futaba Sakura's Palace next--but in the meantime, Joker will lure the one in the Black Mask out into a trap to expose him.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
At the very least, he noticed way back when they were playing pool for the first time together. Whether it was confirmed, or merely a function of his keen observational skills? Well, Ren would have to ask!
"Well, if my opinion matters, I think it would be a great tragedy if you did," Akechi says with solemnity that's definitely jesting some.
But Ren can see, he's being earnest too. Whatever the case may be, even if he has no interest in the stars.
He genuinely wants to be here, with him, his friend.
Whatever that word means to Goro Akechi, it still remains true.
However, he then makes a proposal, 'So, Akechi...' and he looks at Ren again, furtively at first, but then looking at him with more curiosity, as he makes his proposal. "The Geminids..." He echoes. What a strange coincidence, that he's a Gemini... isn't it? It feels almost like fate, if he believed in such a thing.
Will there be enough time? Will the demands of his revenge require him to kill his rival before then?
He hopes not, but he can't guarantee it. All the same...
"... Well, how could one turn down an invitation such as that?" He smiles, earnestly, "I'd like nothing more, than to do this again. I'll set aside some time far in advance, so that we can start planning to do this again."
Though, this time he teases, "Next time, make sure to plan to wear more layers. Now I may be from the city, but I can say with all the confidence in the world that December in the country will be a little chillier than October."
He teases. They see many more Shooting Stars together that night, under the view that Ren introduced him to having an appreciation for.
-=-=-
In the morning they've packed up. It was a day trip, so they don't intend to sleep the day away. They can always rest on the bus and rail back, if they so choose.
It's in the hike down however, that he does ask. "Pardon my asking but were you present for the recent events in Sumaru City? I was... too distracted, to really see who all boarded the Zeppelin."
And the Phantom Thieves do tend to do things stealthily, and stylishly after all. It's a fair thing to ask - what's more, it indicates that he doesn't ALWAYS have perfect observation skills.
(Even when he knows EXACTLY who all was aboard that Zeppelin)
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
They would have to ask--but it's fine for some things to remain a mystery. That's one of the spices of life.
"Hmmm... A tragedy, huh?" Ren replies with a furtive smile. So you want me to chase after you some, too? they think, but do not add. ...It just isn't a joke, after all. And can they blame him? Sooner or later, you want the one you're chasing to look back your way, too.
Which means of course Akechi takes him up on that. This time around was such a hurried plan--next time, they can take their time... maybe look around at some of the other sights too.
Even if it will definitely be much colder in December. Ren rolls their eyes good-naturedly at Akechi's teasing, but pulls the blanket a little tighter. "Yeah, yeah."
October stargazing, though... Ren watches the night sky with Akechi until the encroaching dawn overpowers the dark of night. All considered, even if it wasn't his intent, this is the best birthday gift they could've received.
~ * ~
As they hike back to the inn, Akechi asks a certain question. Ren glances at him, blanket still draped stylishly(?) around their shoulders.
"Me? No. Though I did hear from someone who did." A beat. "Is it really true you jumped into a burning building to chase after Sudou?"
They have no doubt that Tsubasa told the truth about that, but it does give Akechi a chance to explain why he did something so on-its-face idiotic.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Perhaps even a Greek one." Akechi quips, given the constellations above, with a smirk.
-=-=-
Blankets can be stylishly draped. Whether Ren has pulled it off is up for debate...
... Akechi really shouldn't try to drag anyone on their fashion sense though.
He nods at the first part of Ren's response, but on the second, he adjusts his pack and looks sideways.
"I did. Though I took proper precautions first. I found food that in the Metaverse can cast the Fire Wall spell."
There's a self-deprecating, "All the same, I won't say it wasn't reckless of me. I had nearly caught up to him, when I heard a voice speak that wasn't his own- and he teleported away... just before the building collapsed."
He looks up at the sky, through the tree line on the trail. "I wasn't in the best condition, after, though I did make it out better than most would, I imagine... soon enough, I saw the Zeppelin crashing from afar, and limped my way down to the beach, only to discover that..."
He sucks in a hissing breath through his teeth, "That man in the Black Mask had murdered him, in the name of 'that' Organization. Some might say he got what was coming to him... I guess..."
Step.
Step.
Step.
"... but I hardly consider it 'Justice'."
Even as the one in the Black Mask. After all, Sudou's suffering was too quick, and over too soon to be his version of 'Justice'.
He would need to be thoroughly humiliated, his pride crushed, made to live in shame entirely helpless to the whims of society.
But, since that isn't available, he's glad to have taken his life, and made it as painful as possible in the moment.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
What are you talking about? When are sweater-vests ever unfashionable?
"I see." So it wasn't completely insane. That does seem more like him--Akechi isn't someone who'd do something quite that reckless. Of course he'd have a plan or an intention.
Of course, Fire Wall would only protect against the fire itself, and not smoke or--as it turns out--collapsing buildings... Ren looks Akechi over, remembering how he'd nursed an injured arm for a week or two after he was shot (by the Black Mask, no less) in the shoulder. Yet he doesn't seem like he's in any kind of bad shape at all right now...
Their eyes climb to his face when he sucks in that breath. They frown, but concern pinches the corners of his eyes. "...So that's what happened," they murmur, though they already knew about the Black Mask murdering Sudou. If they are the same, he's lying pretty convincingly about it... unless he's telling the truth about his feelings, but if it was his finger on the trigger, why would that be the truth?
"It must be frustrating that you missed your chance to bring him to justice." They pause for a moment; then they reach out and clasp his shoulder.
"Now that midterms are over, I plan on luring him into a trap, like we talked about," they murmur, watching his face. They'd given him a hint before on the Palace they'd do that in; did he catch on then, or will he need another? "There'll be Justice yet."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
It IS a well founded concern. Though, then again, that was a gunshot from the one in the Black Mask. Whereas a collapsing building is rather a more mundane threat.
But should Ren enquire, everyone saw him on that beach, his uniform burnt up, limping - bone dry. Not so injured that he couldn't move around certainly, just in an 'everything hurts' state.
As he imparts the tale, Ren places a hand upon his shoulder. And Akechi's expression for just a moment looks stricken. Like it was truly, horribly affecting for him to have not managed it.
But then his expression smooths out, like he's trying not to let it show.
"It is." He murmurs. "I heard to the last, he had no remorse for his crimes. Kept pronouncing that he was some hero. Crying out that we should all have been on his side."
He inhales through his nostrils, "Perhaps I should have expected no less from a consummate psychopath, but still, it's upsetting. There is no chance whatsoever for him to take responsibility for what he did... to Sanada-san. To any of his other victims."
Or what he did to him. Because, even if Akechi made it out better than any of Sudou's other victims, it still left its scars.
Scars that shaped the twisted person he is today.
Ren however indicates he intends to try out his suggestion of a trap, and he looks at him with curiosity. There's a wan smile, as he then says, "Well, I know you already turned down my assistance but... do try to do that more carefully than I did when pursuing Sudou-san."
A hint of a tease.
"... I'd rather not have to cancel our trip, if anything goes wrong," he says more seriously.
Indeed, he doesn't try to talk him out of it. Just like he didn't before. But maybe there's more... care, in his words than there was previously.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren shakes their head at the talk of Sudou's 'heroism' talk. They're disgusted by that too, honestly, but as long as he's gone...
It's more complicated than that, of course. But they'll learn more about that as the days go by.
For now, they take in that wan smile of Akechi's and slip their hand back into their pocket.
"Me too," they reply with a bit of a half-smile. "I'll let you know what happens."
And hopefully, in the process of luring the Black Mask into a trap, they'll be able to find definitive proof that he isn't Akechi after all.