2026-05-21: Bullseye
- Log: 2026-05-21 Bullseye
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Kasumi Yoshizawa, Goro Akechi
- Where: Kichijoji - Penguin Sniper
- OOC Date: May 21, 2026
- IC Date: Mon Nov 12 2012
- Summary: Ren, Kasumi, and Akechi happen ("happen") to run into each other at Shibuya Station and decide to head to Kichijoji for a game of darts. After their last conversation with Kasumi and her roundabout critique that they could stand to tell her things about themself without having to be asked first, Ren decides to take initiative and tell them both about how they and Makoto broke up. This leads to them also opening up about their X-gender--and then about their sexuality. Kasumi knew a little about this already, but Akechi is in for a shock.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's a rare day for Ren to show up at school without a cat in their bag. Honestly, the fact that they haven't gotten caught yet, despite how the teachers were in an uproar at the start of the school year about a stray cat on campus, staggers belief. You'd think by now the cat would be... out of the bag.
Well. Technically it is. So there is that. Morgana has an important duty to attend to right now, though, so Ren will have to do without his comfortable living weight on their shoulder. Their bag feels too light without him--lighter still after giving Ann birthday presents and well-wishes from each of them.
That's on their mind as they leave school for the day, heading down the street towards Aoyama-Itchome Station. So, too, is what Morgana is doing--or rather, who he's looking after, and everything involved in that. There's a lot on Ren's mind... all the time, really, but especially right now. (Ann's opted not to do anything big for her seventeenth birthday, so at least that's not one of them. It would've been nice to have something good and fun to focus on, though.)
To most, that distant, unemotional expression of theirs might seem normal for the scary delinquent. Someone who knows them, however, might get the (correct) impression they seem troubled.
What to do on this Monday...
By the time they reach their transfer at Shibuya Station, they still don't know. Maybe a shift at one of their part-time jobs in the area would be a good idea--they've got plenty of options. Triple Seven is their go-to, but there's also Big Bang Burger, Rafflesia, Ore no Beko... For a moment, they linger near the entrance to the Underground Mall, considering their options.
There's also heading over to Kichijoji to practice billiards at Penguin Sniper. ...As soon as they have that thought, though, they palm their forehead and shake their head. They started going there more often to meet and play against stronger players like Akihiko had suggested to them, but they know well what their motivation for going to those lengths is.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
It might be around that time, Kasumi is leaving Mementos after a relatively successful delve into Mementos! She pops back into reality into Shibuya, and says her farewells to Motojima-senpai. She catches sight of someone with scruffy black hair.
"Ah, Senpai!" Kasumi calls out, waving her hand up to catch the older boy's attention. "Senpai, over here!" She jogs up next to Ren Amamiya's side. "It's good to see you, Senpai.~ I just got back from..." She leans in and lowers her voice. "Mememtos, with Motojima-senpai."
Kasumi pulls back with a smile. "It was very informative! If you have some time, I was wondering I could pick your and Morgana's brains about some stuff..."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Unbeknownst to Kasumi Yoshizawa and Ren Amamiya, he's had the entrance to Shibuya Station frequently surveilled ever since he realized the Phantoms entered from here.
Snap.
Nothing.
Snap.
A shock of red hair.
Snap.
Half a body emerging seemingly out of nowhere.
Snap.
All of a girl he knows full well.
He looks at the picture, contemplating it for some time, stroking his chin. "I see..." It is just as he thought. That Kasumi Yoshizawa had the Will of Rebellion within her, well-hidden, but there.
It's about the same time as he's contemplating this, that another target of his gets off the train. "... Right on time."
Snap.
He's a detective- Ren Amamiya was a criminal and his rival, there's nothing creepy about this.
Kasumi spies him too, and, Akechi considers this for a time, before walking in a circuitous loop, from the direction like he was coming from Shinjuku.
Brief case and all, he walks up with his polished, faux boy next door look, a smile upon his expression as he waves at the pair. "Well well, I'll consider this good fortune on my part to run into the two of you here. I was just on my way to Leblanc. I was in the mood for the boss' newest Colombian blend."
It is extra bitter, but he doesn't mind that. In fact he's a little partial to it.
"How does the day find the two of you?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
There's always lots of people at Shibuya Station, so Ren doesn't see Kasumi emerge until she waves her hand specifically to get their attention. When they do, though, a smile naturally blossoms across their face as she jogs up to join them.
"Likewise," they reply. When she leans in, they nod thoughtfully. So she really is getting closer with Kazusa... That's good to hear. "Morgana's not with me today, but if you don't mind that, and you've got some time, we could go somewhere right now."
It's not quite getting their mind off things, but if they're being honest with themself--and they're doing a lot more of that recently--they didn't really want to work a shift today anyway.
It's as they're chatting, and Ren is clearly much happier talking to Kasumi than they were just standing around a moment ago as Akechi might have captured in his definitely-not-creepy surveillance photo, that Akechi himself walks up. Ren immediately schools their expression into neutrality in a knee-jerk reaction that may or may not also give him the wrong idea.
"Yeah? It is pretty good," they reply.
How's the day find them, though?
Better, they think, glancing from Akechi to Kasumi and back again. And also worse.
"Okay. Yoshizawa and I were about to head out somewhere, maybe," they reply, glancing back at her to see if she actually does have time to hang out right now. They look back at Akechi and allow themself the slightest smirk on one corner of their mouth. "So if you're headed to Leblanc, don't wait up. I won't be there 'til late."
Maybe Akechi was in the mood for the Boss's coffee and maybe it was just a cover, but either way, Ren is certain he really wanted to see them. They... want to see him come up with an excuse to spend time with him instead of going to where he originally said he was going to go.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Not at all! Though, I thought you and Morgana did anything together." Kasumi lets out a lighthearted giggle. "I've got time, let's see..." She lifts her chin up slightly, as she considers what to do together.
It's during that internal debate, Kechi shows up. "Oh, Akechi-san!" Having less reservations than Ren, Kasumi offers a bow to the brown haired detective prince. "What a coincidence that you'd be here too, Akechi-san." That seems to happen a lot when she runs into Amamiya-senpai, huh?
"Aw, that'll be such a shame for Akechi-san, Senpai." Kasumi giggles as she takes a light step back, and wraps her hands in front of her. In fact, Akechi arriving gave Kasumi quite the idea! "Why don't we head to Penguin Sniper for some darts then? My father got some tickets in return for some sponsored segment or another. Not a bad idea, right?"
Sorry Ren, but Kasumi might have her own agenda here. She loves watching their little cat and mouse games. It'll be nice to have some stories to share with Okumura-senpai next they meet.~
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Yes it sure seems to happen a lot. It's definitely a coincidence, Kasumi. Don't read into it any further.
He gives a little nod of his head to her, with that affable smile upon his expression. "Yoshizawa-san, always a pleasure." See how cheerful he sounds? See?
Ren however then indicates that the two are hanging out together. And Akechi's cheerful smile dims considerably. "I see, well, my apologies for intruding if the two of you had planned a hangout together. I'll just be on my way-"
It is a wound to his pride to hear that, but by now he understands that sometimes Ren enjoys playing the 'verbal' chess match with him.
And thus he lets him have that pawn.
Fortunately for him, he understands Yoshizawa enough to know what's likely coming. She is so unfailingly polite and friendly after all. He just has to bank on- and there it is.
"Hmm. You're certain?" He asks her, as she gives her offer. "I certainly wouldn't mind a game, but I wouldn't want to get in the way of whatever plans the two of you had together..."
There, Ren feels pressured, and Yoshizawa certainly won't go 'actually I'd rather I not invite you after I invited you'. So he feels the deal is 'sealed' so to speak.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Most things. But sometimes he has other things he needs to do," Ren replies, then falls silent for Kasumi to think--giving time for Akechi to approach, and for events to unfold.
No need to be sorry. If anything, Ren's disappointed that Akechi had to have Kasumi come up with an excuse for him to join the two of them for him. They wanted to hear what he came up with, but he was so quick to decide to back down... It weirdly hurts their feelings a little. Maybe they came on too strong. Akechi has tried to be nicer for them for a while now.
It could be worse, though. At least he does take advantage of the opportunity that Kasumi offers him. Ren's not sad about getting to spend more time with him. If anything for that, they wish they could have some private time with him...
...but it's probably better that they see him again with a third person around, considering recent changes and revelations. Ren averts their eyes thinking about that.
Akechi would definitely want to know about that, huh... and Kasumi's going to want an update too. It's still hard to take initiative on discussing personal matters, but... they're both friends, and they really need to get more comfortable with sharing with friends. They take a deep breath and let it out. (Which might well also get misunderstood.)
"It's fine. We only happened to run into each other and talk about doing something together just now. I don't mind if you join," they reply. They do toy with the idea of suggesting pool instead of darts--but it'd be hard for Kasumi to join in on a two-person game, and given that it's her suggestion and her tickets, they don't want to exclude her. "Let's head to Kichijoji, then."
~ * ~
And once the three of them arrive and walk up the stairs to Penguin Sniper...
"Feels like it's been a while since we came here together last," Ren remarks to Akechi. "We played darts back then too." They look over at Kasumi. "Do you come here a lot, Yoshizawa?"
They do have things to tell them both still, but they'll wait until they've actually started a game to bring it up. With how they come here to practice pool against regulars, they might get approached by someone, and they'd rather wait until the three of them are clearly occupied to bring it up.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
So cheerful! Kasumi really does like Akechi! What a pleasant boy.~
Kasumi shakes her head. "No, it's alright. We were just deciding what to do after all-" Her breath does briefly hitch as she picks up on Ren's deep sigh. Did she overstep...?
No, it ends up being fine. "Yes, we were just wondering what we wanted to do together. It'll be fun!"
--------
They climb the steps with Kasumi taking the rear. She hears Ren comment that they've been here before, and Kasumi raises her eyebrow. "Oh? I didn't know that! I think, anyways." She's asked if she comes here alot, and she shakes her head. "I haven't. It just opened recently, right? I'm honestly surprised to hear you two have been here before..." She giggles a little. "You two really are ahead on the trends, huh?~"
Kasumi goes ahead to turn in her tickets, counting three from a stack of four. She then hands it over and they get a darts set up all to themselves.~ It's a pretty nice place, so she might also grab some juice from the bar!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Unfortunately, Akechi has trouble understanding that there are in fact some people who might genuinely want to spend time with him.
Still.
Thus he completely misinterprets what Ren is doing here. Certainly he's not sad about getting invited to spend time with Ren either.
Or well, Kasumi for that matter. Though to a lesser degree.
"Ah I see. Well if the plans were made by happenstance, then I suppose there isn't any reason why my presence would be a nuisance."
That word choice there, nuisance. Perhaps it's reflective of that mindset...
"Yes, it does sound like it will be..." He agrees, agreeably.
-=-=-
"It has been." He agrees with Ren, "We should make a point of making trips here more often." Before he then asides to Kasumi.
"We play billiards here as well, but darts is more ideal for our group of three."
Rounds are shorter, for one thing. Whereas Billiards, one person would be watching for quite some time, before they set up for the next game.
"Haha, yes well. Kichijoji is that 'chic' sort of neighborhood after all. The envy of all of Tokyo. All one has to do is take a walk, and you'll come upon the center of so many current trends."
It's why he spends a lot of time here, actually. Because besides it having his favorite establishments, it's easy enough for him to just understand 'what's in' by what's being featured here.
He allows Kasumi to turn in the tickets, then sets up by the darts board. And then, he places his briefcase upon one of the side tables- as he works then lock then click, click. Open.
There's a lot of documents inside, carefully organized.
However, he pulls out a small box from inside, opening it up to reveal a set of custom high end darts. "Would either of you be partial to using my set? I think things might be more interesting for the two of you if I gave myself that handicap."
Handicap.
The guy who can throw 180 unerringly in a single turn, or triple Bull with the establishment's darts considers himself to be operating under handicap?
Infuriating...
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Did it?" Ren honestly doesn't know either way; they've only lived in Tokyo since April, and they first came here with Akechi back in... "It's at least been open since June. That's when this guy invited me here." They tilt their head towards Akechi. "So you can thank him for being trendy."
It's kind of funny to think back on. He was such an irritating asshole--looking them up and down like they only barely passed muster to spend time in his company. Then there was the break ace, and their debate about the ethics of what the Phantom Thieves do, and then... Ren glances at Akechi, a touch of heat rising in their cheeks.
"He taught me the basics of pool back then," they say neutrally to conceal how their heart flutters. If he wanted to adjust their stance at the pool table now, they wouldn't get nearly so upset about it. ...but they're sure he'd never try that again. Not without them inviting him to.
They drop their eyes to the floor. That... would be pretty difficult. Still, when Akechi suggests they should come here together more often, they look back at him with a slight smile. "Yeah. It's a nice neighborhood. Nothing you've shown me around here has been a miss."
And if they compete at billiards again, Akechi might be pleasantly surprised. Ren's been studying expert techniques lately, and as the three of them head over to darts, a couple of the high-skill billiards regulars playing a game together at one of the tables throw them a friendly wave, which they return. Something Akechi might note, if he knows them too--and knowing him, he probably does.
If Kasumi gets a drink, they will too: grape Manta, their favorite soda. When the three of them set up over at one of the darts stations, Ren peeks at Akechi's briefcase as he opens it up. He's usually very protective of it, so they can't help but be curious. There doesn't seem to be anything special inside--nothing visible, anyway--but no doubt he'd refrain from opening it if there was anything inside he didn't want others to see.
They blink when he produces a set of custom darts and offers to let them use it--as a handicap.
Ren snorts quietly with low laughter. "Obnoxious as ever," they remark with affection. They reach out to take the box anyway. "Sure."
If it's his set, of course they want to touch it.
Once the three of them officially start a game, Ren considers the darts board. "...So, I guess I should share some news with you two," they remark quietly, letting Kasumi have the first turn if she wants.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Oh? I suppose that makes a fair amount of sense." Kasumi chuckles lightly. "I've never really thought about it like that, and I've lived in the area my whole life." She isn't particularly a reliable source anyways. Her head's only full of gymnastics and food. Very little else can penetrate her bubble. "I'm glad you've been enjoying Kichijoji, Senpai.~"
Akechi offers his own personal set, and Kasumi has to shake her head. "Oh, I really wouldn't want to break anything, Akechi-san!" She doesn't need any help losing. "That all looks very expensive... Do you bring it with you everywhere, just in case something fun happens?" A joke strikes and Kasumi can't hold it in. "Oh, I know! You deducted that we'd be playing darts today, right Detective Prince?~"
Kasumi gladly takes the lead in starting the game. Right from the start, her form is all kinds of wrong. She has the dart in her right hand and her left arm extended up, around her head. It looks like she's shooting her gun in the Metaverse. Her shot goes entirely wide, landing on an 1 in the corner. "Gah!" Her second dart lands on the opposide side, somehow. "No..." Her third lands just ouside of the bullseye circle... On the 3 side. She lets out a groan as her total of 20 points get locked in.
Kasumi lets out a sigh as she steps away once more. Is her slump seriously infecting darts too?!
Ren starts a conversation, and Kasumi, relieved to not comment on her poor performance, perks up. "Oh? What's up, Senpai?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
And in many ways, he's still such an irritating asshole. It's simply that things have... changed, between Ren and himself. In ways he still has difficulty articulating or acknowledging.
But, despite his 'surveillance' he certainly leapt at the idea of spending time with him...
"Yes, it had only been open a short time." He confirms to Ren of Kasumi's statement, "I used to practice at a pool hall in Sumaru City- but that place became quite 'difficult' to be a regular at. This place is much nicer."
He smiles as Ren says that he taught him the basics of pool, "And you took to it nearly immediately. I look forward to seeing the results of our next game."
He still thinks he'll win but- ah, Ren putting in the effort to beat him. Honestly, that's the kind of romance where he feels it the most.
Someone putting in effort in a way to compete with him- to spend time with him.
It truly says something about himself, doesn't it?
There's a smile at Ren's statement, as he seems, touched at being told that, "Well, I'm happy to hear that. I do worry that my taste sometimes might not be to your liking."
Sometimes? More like all the time. He's chronically insecure about it...
Before he smiles at Kasumi, "Well your 'backyard' truly is my favorite place in the Greater Tokyo area to 'unwind' so to speak. This whole neighborhood has a rather relaxing atmosphere... no matter where you go."
As Ren calls him obnoxious as ever and laughs, he does wink at him, "Well it is how you know I haven't been replaced by some doppelganger, sent here to worm my way into your good graces before orchestrating your downfall." Before he then slides the box over to Ren.
...
...
...
...
Yep, he definitely said that.
"Oh there's little chance of that." He remarks to Kasumi, "They're quite well made, and ideal for these kind of electronic dartboards. But I do understand your concern."
He watches Kasumi play, at first, a hand upon his chin, as he notes her technique- "Hm. I do have some pointers, if you're interested?"
But before he can give them, Ren notes that he has news, "Oh? By all means then."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Thanks. Me too," Ren tells Kasumi. It's sweet of her, but that's Kasumi for you.
Likewise, it's just like her to stand on ceremony and refuse something freely offered, even if it is presumably an expensive and important possession of Akechi's. Ren's not mad about it. Her turning him down means they don't have to fight her for it, and anyway, they want her to be herself.
Akechi confirms Penguin Sniper had only been open for a short while back in June. "Huh," they reply. They're curious why it was difficult, but their gut feeling says that's probably not something they want to discuss around Kasumi--just in case. Instead, they smile slightly and give a little shrug as he expresses looking forward to their next billiards game. "I think you're going to be pleased. Or vexed. Or maybe both."
If he still wins, they're going to make him fight tooth and nail for every point. Ah, love.
They smile a little more when Akechi lightens and seems touched. He's obnoxious, and dangerous, and he's also sweet in his own way. That dichotomy really does keep them hooked. "It's not your taste I have a problem with," they joke, tone mild.
Of course, then Akechi responds with a wink and saying--all of that. Which brings up their problem with him in a simultaneously direct and roundabout way. How does he do it?
"..." For a moment, Ren just peers at him. Then they shake their head and say, straight-faced and gay-hearted, "I don't know if I could handle it if there were another guy around as handsome as you."
Kasumi's darts form is... frankly terrible. Ren manages to keep from grimacing as she does as badly as she does, then gives her an encouraging nod as she steps away. "Don't worry about it. I was pretty bad at first too." They glance at Akechi, then add, "He's actually a pretty good teacher, if you can believe it."
They accept the darts case, open it up, and weigh one in their hand. It's finely balanced. They wonder how much it cost Akechi to get made. "So... you both know I was dating Makoto." They pause as they raise the dart up and aim. As they do, they continue, again neutrally, "We broke up. We're still friends; it just..." They pause again, then slide a rueful smile Akechi's way, briefly. "Remember what you told me about emotional rebounds?"
Thwip.
It's a bulls-eye.
"You were right."
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Sumaru City, huh?" Kasumi asks. "That's the place that big history boom is happening, isn't it?" She might be a little bit behind on her news. "Is that still going on? I've only really been there twice.
She does smile as she watches Akechi and Amamiya reflect on a shared history back and forth. The Detective and the Thief... Maybe they could be friends after all!
A relaxing atmosphere though... "Really? I'm surprised. I've always throught of it as busy." She replies. "Not that it's a bad thing. But that might be my own rushing speaking..." Or stuffing sweets down.
The redhead does have to hide a little snort at Akechi's absurd little joke. (At least, that's what she's taking it as.) "You really have a way with words, Akechi-san. It's your way of being honest, huh?" A picture starts to generate. Akechi might be a ruthless sort of person... When he's pleasently joking, at least.
Then, Ren responds positively as well. Kasumi feels her opinions split two ways... One, poor Nijima-senpai... Second, Okumura-senpai is gonna love hearing this.
Watching Kasumi play should have given an example of why she turned the offer down. Hearing Ren vouch for Akechi's teching does help her accept the offer. "Sure, I'd appreciate hearing some advice, Akechi-senpai."
Ren opens up about his breakup and Kasumi feels really bad for Nijima-senpai... "Oh no..." She pauses, as she has some of her orange juice. "I'm sorry, Senpai." Emotional rebounds, huh? Wonder what that's like. "Is Nijima-senpai taking it alright?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Ah yes." He replies to Kasumi, "Indeed so. Mostly it's due to the discovery of several sites of historical significance which are being excavated to this day- ones that completely seem to 'rewrite' what we knew of the city's founding. In this modern era in which it feels like the majority of archaeological dig sites have already been found... it's certainly exciting to learn that isn't true."
And for a certain SOMEONE to use it as a rallying cry for a return to 'traditional' values- aka his new brand of fascism. He hates you so much, Tatsuzou Sudou.
Ren has good instincts on the matter. Sometimes playing in a new, more modern place is more ideal than one in a rougher neighborhood.
(He got into a big brawl, when accused of hustling pool.)
"Haha... well, 'both' would be a pleasant surprise."
Kasumi though indicates that she thought of Kichijoji as busy, and he nods, "Well that's because you live here- I feel it's easy enough to overlook things as truly special, when they're every day for you, don't you think?"
Though as Ren says it's not his taste he has a problem with, Akechi grins a little, chuckling, "Surely you don't take issue with my winning personality." He quips back, with a joke of his own.
Ren's next comment though causes his expression to fade, as if stunned- then if anything he looks a little shy, his cheeks flushing slightly- which might be strange given his WINK previously, "Haha... ha..." He's not certain what to make of the compliment, given the boundary Ren had set previously.
Surely it's not flirting right? He's seeing someone! He distracts away from that by latching onto Kasumi's statement, "Well. I do try to be as honest as possible whenever I can."
Yes, the Joke was definitely his way of being honest.
"'If you can believe it'." He echoes Ren, smirking at him "Really? In what way do I give off the impression that I wouldn't be a superb teacher."
He would give Kasumi those pointers, but Ren brings up Makoto, and- "I'm... sorry to hear that, Amamiya-kun." He says, as if processing this whirlwind of his own emotions at hearing he's single again.
After dating two people in rapid succession.
Ordinarily he'd take pleasure in being right- but he doesn't feel it right now. "I was hoping it would work out better than I feared it might."
And he finds that is... strangely true. Was he hoping for that? Why? Is it really that he just wants Ren to be happy?
That's a feeling he's gonna stuff down in a box again.
For now, he ignores the bullseye, even if he indeed saw it, and will comment upon later- instead following up on Kasumi's comment, "The two of you are still friends, I hope?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren doesn't comment on Sumaru's history boom. For one, they don't really know much about it; for another, Akechi is able and willing to explain in greater depth than they could anyway. They listen to his explanation too, and makes a small, thoughtful noise. 'Rewrite' history... Like literally, with a rumor? Or is he just being figurative? ...As for a call for a return to traditionality, that's something Ren definitely doesn't know about. They make a point of ignoring most politicians; Yoshida's a rare exception, thanks to his kindness, sincerity and humility.
"It's easy to take something you see every day for granted," they comment on the matter of Kichijoji, essentially agreeing with Akechi.
They roll their eyes good-naturedly at his quip. "You mean your obsessed-with-winning personality." They look over at Kasumi. "Do you believe, when we first played billiards, this jerk did a break ace on me? That's when you win the game in one turn without the other person even getting to go. He acted like it was an accident, but--" They look Akechi dead in the eyes. "I know better."
With or without proof.
"He does have a way with words," he does agree with Kasumi, though, tone back to amiable. At least, up until they unintentionally embarrass him into awkward laughter--no, flustered laughter, judging by that blush. It's gratifying to see... but maybe they'd better ease off. They opt to leave it at that.
What about Akechi would make one believe he's not a good teacher, though? "Do you really want me to answer that?" they joke dryly.
The humor itself dries up as the topic turns to their most recent break-up. They're... a little touched that Akechi says (claims?) he hoped it would work out. "...Thanks."
Even if he's lying about it, he's still trying to be kind when they're vulnerable. He's made it clear he's not afraid to be a jerk the rest of the time, so it's reassuring. Because that means it's not a lie--right?
"Yeah." To both Makoto taking it okay, and the two of them still being friends. To Kasumi, more specifically, they continue, "We both had the wrong idea about things, in the end. We sort of... mistook a strong friendship for something more, and didn't realize until after we started dating that it wasn't like that for either of us." They look back at the darts board. "It's... actually kind of a relief. I realized it before she did, and... I was scared for a while I'd end up hurting her." They rub the side of their head. "...It was my fault for rushing into another relationship like I did. I should've taken some time to just... be single."
They tuck their hands in their pockets. "Well. I can do that this time, at least. I'm a little done with dating right now anyway." They pause; then they look at Akechi. "It's your turn."
It's only after saying so that Ren realizes how that could be taken. They keep their lips and their expression flat to avoid giving that impression.
...still, they do low-key hope for another reaction.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"I see! That's really quite exciting." Kasumi replies. "I can't believe I didn't hear about this!"
Much safer too. It'll be an awful day when a fight breaks out in one of the richer neighborhoods.
""You're probably right, Akechi-san. But I always notice when there's a new sweet in the place down the street!" She says with a laugh. Though she might not be an expert like Takamaki-senpai, she knows her fancy candies and pasteries! And how to have them in moderation.
"Oh?" Kasumi says as Ren starts to tell a story of Akechi showing off. It makes her giggle. "Jeez, Akechi-san. Don't even let your oppontent a try, huh?" She teases. "That's not sportsmanship-like!"
'In what way I wouldn't be a suberb teacher?'
"I feel like... You'd enjoy crushing your students more than teaching them." Kasumi offers up helpfully.
Amamiya-kun? Is that new? Kasumi will have to chew on that one a bit.
"Well, I'm glad you're both okay..." It's so strange though. They seemed happy back during the Gourd King fight... Can the feeling of love really disappear so fast? That thought is a little disconcerting to Kasumi.
"That's a pretty mature outlook, Senpai." She says affectionately. "I...wonder how that works though. Mistaking friendship for love." It's not like she has any experiences to draw from for this.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Rewrite history and discarding the old versions. After all, what can't one do with a Rumor? Well a great deal, actually, but this rumor is the lynchpin behind Gozen's narrative. He does mean it literally, and Ren's mind might go back to what he had to say before about his theory of the New World Order and what they're doing... but it is only a theory.
Ren agrees with him on Kichijoji, and Kasumi... "Haha- well, one can't be blamed for homing right in on their heart's desire." He notes to Kasumi's statement of noticing sweets. After all, it is the true love of so many girls the world over.
Called out on his 'flexing' of his skills, he chuckles, "Well, Yoshizawa-san... I consider it rather sporting actually. If it were say a gymnastics practice, would you hold back significantly simply to make a novice feel better? Or would you show them what they might aspire to become one day?"
It's an interesting question and doesn't say anything that Ren doesn't already know. He wants to motivate him to get better, to be real competition, to give him the drive to best him when neither are holding back.
Ren suggests that he doesn't want the answer to that question of him as a teacher- whereas Kasumi elicits a sweatdrop upon his forehead. "Haha- well, it seems Yoshizawa-san has no problem with holding back. But I assure you, if I was acting in a solely teaching capacity, I wouldn't feel the drive to compete with my students."
(Probably.)
The subject of Makoto though is enough to bring him back into a somber, contemplative mood. "You can hardly be blamed for making that mistake. I imagine it's the same way with many childhood friends as well..."
And yes, he brought up the idea of being on the rebound but, in the moment, are you truly going to understand how you're feeling?
Ren notes he's a little done with dating right now anyway, "That is likely wise-" 'It's your turn.'
Pause.
Because he hears it- and is startled outwardly. However, his mind understands one cannot be 'done with dating right now anyway' and 'asking him out' simultaneously.
The logical contradiction hits him long before he would make a greater fool of himself. Instead swallowing with a faint blush on his features, and picking up a standard dart, "-So it is. As I was saying." Toss. Bullseye. "It is likely wise to hold off for long enough to sort through your feelings." Toss. Bullseye. "And understand what you are looking for next time in a partner before asking someone else out." Toss. Bullseye.
The Board lights up, with a chiming to celebrate the feat this round.
"Well, Yoshizawa-san, the Greeks categorized friendship as a type of love. They called it 'Philia' as opposed to 'Eros' - Romantic Love. If you think of a close friendship as a kind of love- then it's easy to understand how such feelings might cause crossed wires."
Definitely not an argument he's given himself when it comes to Ren, once or thrice or six dozen times.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"So you admit you did it on purpose," Ren says to Akechi, a somewhat childish note of triumph in his voice. After all, they had the infuriating recent experience of confronting the Black Mask with his crimes and him smugly demanding proof before admitting to it, and Akechi also claimed at the time that it was just an accident or a stroke of luck--yet one more way in which the two are similar. Whether the same or not, they're taking that out on Akechi, just a little.
It's definitely nothing Ren doesn't already know, though. It's another aspect of Akechi's personality that gets under their skin (and then lives there).
For a moment, they clutch a spot on their side where the Black Mask's Persona had nearly run them through. Ogre's healing and Dr. Takemi's treatment meant they could make it to school the next day, and resting for the rest of that day (besides doing their weekly laundry) meant they can walk around without overtly giving anything away, but that wound in particular... it still aches.
Ren chuckles at Kasumi calling Akechi out. "I don't believe that," they tell him. "I feel like you're most willing to teach when you want your student to compete with you." They look back at Kasumi. "Better watch out with those darts, Yoshizawa."
At least this game in particular is supposed to be cooperative. Emphasis on 'supposed to be.'
'Amamiya-kun' isn't new--it's what Akechi's been calling them more or less since they met. It might be the first time Kasumi's noticed it, but it's not particularly familiar, especially with Akechi being a year older than Ren.
"Thanks," they tell Kasumi quietly. For what it's worth, there is still love there; it's just platonic rather than romantic. Ren makes a low 'mmm' sound on the topic of childhood friends; they know Akechi knows about the circumstances of their first kiss. That's not the only pre-Tokyo romance they've had, but it is the only one they've told him about.
For a moment, though, Ren watches Akechi, anticipating--hoping for--a reaction. Their wish comes true when he startles and falls silent. Ren can see him picking apart the logical inconsistency before he swallows hard and takes up a dart.
It's gratifying. It's ego-boosting.
It makes them feel lonely.
They're thus quiet as Akechi takes his turn, scoring three bullseyes in a row; of Ren's tosses, only one of them made it, though the other two were still good (as we are retroactively establishing). So he expects them to take the initiative the next time... That's good to know.
Though he raises a good point about what they're looking for. It wasn't as though there was nothing about Makoto they were attracted to. If they hadn't fallen for him, would they still be together? Would Makoto being exclusively attracted to girls have been less of a dealbreaker?
Can someone who's ideologically opposed to them really be a long-term partner?
Ren looks away. They've also had that argument with themself so, so many times.
"Yeah," they murmur of the explanation Akechi offers Kasumi. "That's about right." They shut their eyes as they raise their head to shrug, hands still in their pockets. "Well, I'm just glad we are still friends. I've had girlfriends who I've never spoken to again since we broke up."
Girlfriends, plural, Akechi might note.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Hehe.~" Kasumi blushes a little bit as Akechi comments on 'homing on their heart's desire.' That really does describe Kasumi to a T.
"I suppose that's fair... But Gymnastics is fairly different, Akechi-san. For example, you can't end the competition with one move." She replies with a laugh. "It's fine to share the pinnacle, but crushing a novice's spirit is a no-go!" As she says that with a smile, she experiences a strange pain in her chest.
"Somehow, I don't really believe you, Akechi-san.~" She replies with a gentle jab, masking it with a laugh. In return, she gives Ren a reassuring smile. "Well, I'd certainly be honoured if Akechi-san wished to compete with me."
Kasumi has been careful to watch both Ren and Akechi's turns. Being a gymnast, it's important to analyses a person's movements carefully. That's why... She notices Akechi's full length shiver as well. Oh my... She thinks to herself. They really are playing cat and mouse...
Jeez, and Akechi nails a triple bullseye too- Kasumi's truly surrounded by such capable senpais! It's her time to step up to the plate. Her studying pays off slightly, as she lands each of her darts around the bullseye. Seeing sizable improvement is a huge relief, but she really wants to snag a bullseye...!
Akechi explains the differences between love times, and it doesn't totally answer her question... But it's close enough. Kasumi steps away to let Ren take his turn next. "You're so knowledgeable, Akechi-san. So, it's sort of like the difference between romantic and family love too, huh?"
"Girlfriends?" Kasumi repeats, not letting Ren get away with that one. "Jeez Senpai, I was joking before, but you really are a player, huh?" She says with a giggle, trying to keep things at least somewhat lighthearted. "How do you even manage such a feat?" She's joking, but it's genuinely impressive to Kasumi. Those sorts of feelings feel so far away from her.
It sort of makes her feel lonely. Even after her high school debut, she hasn't had the chance for any of those pure hearted, lily white feelings.
Aside from her issues, it's just a relief Makoto-senpai took the break up well. That could throw all sorts of wrenches in the way of the Phantom Thieves.
Though... On the topic, something suddenly strikes Kasumi as strange. "Hold on a moment." Kasumi tilts her head. "Wasn't there a rumour about you and Niijima-senpai dating before you did? How did that work?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Ren catches him, and Akechi chuckles, as if slightly embarrassed for the hand in the cookie jar, "I suppose we are past putting on such airs... yes, I admit it." Score one, for Ren Amamiya in this respect. "Though, a Break Ace is never a sure thing, no matter how skilled one is."
That much is true, he just knows how to try for it and hit it more often than not.
And so too does Ren call him out for his teaching style. "Well, I meant it in the theoretical professional sense." He clarifies- because yes, if it's in any other sense he would crush his opponent with only the barest sense of mercy.
He smiles at Kasumi's compliment, before nodding, "Precisely. Though the Greeks called familial love- 'Storge', as a separate conception of love. The difference is mostly academic though."
Akechi can't even imagine taking advantage of Ren in this particular way. When he's vulnerable from a break up. Seducing him so that he can later kill him.
Yes it would be the greatest advantage he could possess- but it crosses so many personal lines of his.
It's better he just let him heal- he can enjoy life until it's time for the climax of their rivalry.
He nods in simplicity at the explanation of Ren's statement, "I am as well, to tell you the truth."
Kasumi though... accuses Ren of being a player, and Akechi interjects, "I'd say that calling him a 'player' would be... 'inaccurate' at best. Certainly he can be quite charming when it comes to the attention of the ladies- but only with someone he is genuinely interested in. He doesn't say such things frivolously to 'play the field' so to speak."
Is he... defending Ren, against the statement? It wasn't even that negative, but then again, Akechi isn't being harsh either. He's just- setting the record straight.
"That rumor was started by... someone who was going through a difficult stretch." He says, putting it mildly, because he can't quantify 'Homunculus Possession' without giving away that he knows Kasumi has a Persona.
"Your Senpai on the gymnastics team actually, Motojima-san. She was reading too much into their friendship while they were on a school trip... and began to spread it as gossip."
Interesting how Akechi follows along, and feels the need to set the record straight on so many things related to Ren Amamiya... how fascinating.
Also interesting how he knows all the details on that, despite not going to Shujin.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Hah. Ren's smug smirk says volumes that they themself do not when they finally get Akechi to admit it. It doesn't matter if it wasn't a sure thing. Still-- "Honestly, I'd be way more annoyed if it had been an accident."
At least it happened because he intended on it, not out of sheer dumb luck.
Akechi's claims about a theoretical professional sense only gets a snort and an eyeroll, though.
Kasumi obviously is teasing, and so Ren smiles, but there's a level of self-consciousness behind it as they rub the back of their neck. "It's... not as dramatic as I made it sound. One moved out of town, and we were--" still kids, they almost say, but that sounds weird, so, "--too young to have our own phones at the time, so we just... didn't keep in touch. And the other..." They hesitate a second, then shrug. "She dumped me by text, so I blocked her. End of story."
Considering the varying levels of discomfort thinking of both of those relationships bring now, Ren wouldn't be quick to call them lily-white feelings, except maybe on his first girlfriend's side. As they take up Akechi's darts and consider the board, now that it's their turn again, he does pray Kasumi gets to experience that for herself, though.
Well. Maybe they experience it for themself a little when Akechi jumps to their defense. Ren shoots him a quick side glance, a little color rising in their own cheeks. It... really does make them happy, hearing him stand up for them. Hearing him be so invested in who they really are that he won't stand by and let a misunderstanding continue, even as a joke.
Thwip. Their first throw skews to the side, onto the 18 strip. Not terrible, but not great. Better, and also worse.
They clear their throat. "Yeah. Basically what he said. You remember when Motojima-san was having a rough go." A quick but significant look at Kasumi; she knows what they mean, having helped her get through it. "We talked about it later, actually, but by then it'd taken on a life of its own." Thwip. Better now; on the twenty strip, immediately over the bulls-eye. "It turns out lots of our schoolmates loved the narrative about us being the prim good girl and the delinquent bad boy in love. Can't believe how far it spread, and how fast." They shake their head, then glance at Akechi out of the corner of their eye, heart pounding. "...I'm not even a boy."
Thwap. Higher still, on the tiny 3x 20 strip--a higher score than a bulls-eye.
"Well, not all the time," they conclude, slipping their hands into their pockets and waiting for Akechi to react to them casually coming out about their genderfluidity. Kasumi already knew, but Akechi... If anything does happen, he ought to know.
Ren wants him to know. To see if this part of their truth changes how he feels.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Akechi rushes to set the record straight, and Kasumi can't help but giggle into her hands. She doesn't need to be a Detective Princess to realize what's going on here.
"Sorry, Akechi-san." She says through a fit of giggles. "I'm just teasing Amamiya-senpai, don't worry.~" She waves a hand in front of her face. The giggles subside, and Kasumi resumes being earnest. "I suppose it comes with being so easy to talk to." She tries to catch Ren's gaze and smiles, as if to say 'sorry if I embarrassed you!'
Ren tells their story on the other hand, and Kasumi nods in sympathy. "It's impressive to keep trying again and again though, Senpai." Sort of like what Ren is teaching Kasumi to do. Keep trying until it works.
Akechi speaks on the source of the rumour and... Well, something strikes a little odd. Why would Homunculus Motojima spill that tea? It doesn't make a lot of sense. But maybe she's misunderstanding the creature. "I didn't know you knew Motojima-senpai, Akechi-san." She says instead. "How do you know all this, Detective?~"
Ren agrees, and... Ahhh, Motojima-senpai herself confessed to it. That makes more sense, at the very least. "It was all anyone in my class wanted to talk about for a week straight." Kasumi agrees with a laugh. "It's pretty impressive."
Crud. Kasumi's forgotten about the gender fluidity bit!! She tries to figure out if she's done any misgendering... But struggles to think of anything outside of her brain. You have to be better about this, Yoshizawa!!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Well well- in that case, perhaps I shouldn't try for it next time. If it occurs by happenstance, then you'll always be left wondering." He says with a shit-eating grin. As in, he wants it to be on Ren's mind for a long time.
Ren explains his earliest girlfriend to Kasumi, and he doesn't join in, things that they said in private aren't something he ought to share.
Ren is pleased that he's defending them, but Akechi can't see it because he's smiling as Kasumi giggles and says she's just teasing, "Oh I see, so you were just being playful- well then, forget I said anything."
He says, in the tone of the infamous anime meme 'And then he casually dropped a rock.' Certainly he wasn't planning to harm Kasumi, but he was ready for it to become a verbal argument if it were in a different context.
Ren explains Kazusa's rumor more in depth, while Kasumi asks him how he knows, "I keep myself apprised of the latest rumors and their sources. You'd be surprised how often rumors can become involved in a criminal investigation- so staying ahead of them can be quite useful."
There's a chuckle at the idea it's all anyone wanted to talk about, "I can certainly imagine."
But during Ren's explanation, he tacks on a single clause at the end that changes so much in the space of an instant.
'... I'm not even a boy.'
Now imagine where his brain is going on this one, with that- and no further context. He seems startled, to the point of being speechless, thinking of Ren's time as a maid at Alice's Apron.
'Well, not all the time.'
Akechi- swallows again, seeming redder in the moment as his eyes dart over to Kasumi to check her reaction, then back to Ren. "Ah-Oh. That would imply you define yourself as X-Gender, I presume?" Is the temperature suddenly hot in here? He definitely feels like it is, even reaching up to loosen his tie further.
Why here? Why now? Why is he telling them this in public- why is he including Kasumi in this conversation?
Why is he including him?
"If... I'm wrong, please correct me on the matter."
WHY NOW?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE'S TELLING HIM- PERHAPS BOTH OF THEM - RIGHT NOW!?
The Great Second Coming of the Detective Prince may perhaps have shorted his brain out some, considering it.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"You won't try for it next time, because you're not allowed to have the opening shot anymore," Ren retorts, deadpan, looking Akechi dead in the eye. They break their deadpan with a smirk. "Then one day when I do a break ace on you, you can do the wondering."
It does help when Kasumi eases up on the teasing by calling them easy to talk to. Ren catches her eye and smiles back. Akechi might have been ready to get into an argument for them, but they do prefer that he dropped the conversational rock. Better he go to bat against someone who Ren doesn't consider a friend. Maybe Isabeau. Now that would be a catfight for the ages.
"...Yeah. Sure, I've had bad luck in the past, but I'll never find someone if I give up." They sure didn't think they'd find anyone in Tokyo with the smeared reputation they've got, and look at where they are now.
How does Akechi know all this? Well... Ren glances at him. He has his own explanation, but they add, "Apparently it spread as far as Sumaru. Akechi's who I heard about that part from." The fact that it was all the buzz for a week only gets a long-suffering sigh.
Then they chuck their own conversational rock.
They feel a little bad about the panicked look on Kasumi's face, but the panicked look on Akechi's face is VERY satisfying. Way more than they'd anticipated, even, considering they did it to check if he'd get grossed out. The way his face steams up and his brain is clearly going into hyperdrive, though? It can't help but make Ren grin at him, with just a bit of a twinkle in their eye.
"Yup," they confirm. As much as they're enjoying his lobster impression, this isn't something they want to twist him around on. "A different stripe of X-gender from Tsubasa. I identify as futei-sei." Literally 'ambiguous gender.' "They call it 'genderfluid' or 'non-binary' in the West." They tilt their head to include Kasumi in their view. "I take any pronouns, so don't worry about misgendering me. If you're still worried about that--" They pick up their bag and turn it around. There's a green clover pin on the side, set in an easily viewable spot when they have it on their shoulder. "Tsubasa gave me this for my birthday, along with a couple other pins, one girly pink one and one boy-ish blue one. To signal what I'm feeling without having to say it out loud."
A beat. They set the bag back down, open up a side pocket to trade the green clover pin with a pink ribbon pin, then stand up to give Akechi a demure yet coquettish smile.
"So what's the red face for, Detective?" she murmurs, pitching her voice into the throaty, velvety tones of Ran Umemura. "Something on your mind~?"
NOW she can twist him around.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Oh, no worries, Akechi-san. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding too." Somehow, Akechi's attempted apology for being defensive... It's admittedly, super cute. Ah, young love... She finds herself beaming really hard at Akechi. She should fix that before anyone got the wrong idea! She drains her glass of orange juice.
Seriously, it's impressive in Ren's own right! "Just like me and my gymnastics." She balls her fists up, as she amps herself up. Next time, she really, really hopes she can get that gold! Just as Ren can get a girlfriend for an extended period of time!
"You're certainly on top of things, Akechi-san." She replies in amazement. "I don't know how you can keep up with all of this, and be a media personality, and maintain your high school work. It's seriously impressive!" And Akechi seems so happy. Part of it frustrates Kasumi, who's struggling with two to three things at any given time. Wasn't happiness supposed to be easy?
Then, Akechi panics, as Kasumi racks her break for any slip ups... "Ah! You even knew what X-Gender is without needing to be told, Akechi-san?" Jeez! Now she really feels like she's losing...
Ren explains some, and honestly, most of it goes through one ear and out the other for the young woman who's never really even thought of her gender overly much. "You can...change from day to day?" She doesn't really get it, but... "Well, as long as you're happy, Senpai. Regardless, you're a precious...senior for me." Friend is a little direct, isn't it? "I'll really try to remember!!"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi snorts at the idea he's not allowed to have the opening shot anymore. "Fair enough, you can have that handicap." Before he chuckles, "I wonder how long it will be until that day comes."
And on top of things, Kasumi apologizes for the misunderstanding. "Ah, it's quite alright. Let us just say then that we're 'square' so to speak." There- apologies made, they're both good, everything's balanced again!
Kasumi praises him, and he smiles, "The wonders of having the internet on my phone certainly help with time management. Before smart phones, it'd take three times as long to do certain things- and to investigate certain cases from afar. Now, it's often that I can solve a case by someone being careless on social media."
It's not just that. But it's another modern trend he's on top of. Were he a Detective in say the 80's or 90's- it'd be impossible to balance all this.
Ren confirms that they're X-gender- that they're alright with any pronouns, and that they have a system with the pins Tsubasa gave them as he continues to, work his way through how he feels, "I see, that's quite the considerate system to signaling to the people around you... well you... certainly have my support." And Kasumi notes in disbelief that he already knew what it was. Akechi looks her way SO HE CAN STOP STARING AT REN and says, "Ah that's-"
He stops, then starts again. He was about to say it's useful for a Detective to know, but- that's another lie. And not one he wants to say in front of Ren.
"My Mother and I stayed at a place in Shinjuku's Red Light District when I was very young. As such, I was exposed to this side of Japanese society before I even entered school. Most aren't- so it's understandable why you'd be confused, Yoshizawa-san. Even from an 'Academic' perspective, such things tend to be seen as 'deviant' - rather than what they are. The experiences of a great number of people who just don't quite fit into the 'norms'."
He was TRYING to distract himself by being the expert so that he could recompose himself. Ren meanwhile calls him out on how red his face looks, and Akechi looks aghast that it's showing, before chuckling awkwardly, "Haha...ha... there's nothing in particular other than the subject at hand. There's a chill outside, so the temperature has been turned up to be quite warm indoors."
No it's definitely not that, he's just thinking about how Ren was feeling on any given day - more boy, girl, or neither- or somewhere in-between and trying to sort through how he feels about knowing that Ren was hitting upon both sides of his sexuality.
Oh no he's hot.
Oh no she's hot.
Oh no they're hot.
Critical hit to the feelings.
"In fact perhaps I might go ask the proprietor if they might consider turning it down, a degree or- three."
Goro Akechi is doomed.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It is so irritating that Akechi calls not being allowed to go first anymore a handicap.
It's even more irritating that it's just a true statement of fact.
"It is," Ren chimes in after Kasumi when she calls his packed schedule impressive. They simultaneously mean that genuinely and as a dig, especially considering-- "When do you find the time to sleep?" --all the stalking (oops, investigating) he does.
Is happiness supposed to be easy? Ren agrees that it would be nice if it were, but they don't think it is. Not in a world where it can get dashed to dust so easily, because you stood up to the wrong shitty middle-aged man. Kasumi didn't say that out loud, though, so that thought doesn't come to pass. It's how they would feel about it, though.
Maybe they'll end up talking to Dr. Maruki about it. Maybe they already have.
Likewise vis-a-vis Gender: "It's a feeling." Ren frowns a little in thought. "It's hard to explain. It's not about what your body looks like." Otherwise there wouldn't be trans people, period. Still, while it's clear Kasumi's confused, she's accepting, and that's all Ren asks for. Her smile returns. "Thanks, Yoshizawa. You're an important junior to me, too." She does note that pause before 'senior,' but she assumes that's for gender reasons, not for friend-is-too-familiar reasons. "Just look for the pin."
Pink ribbon for she/her girl, blue starburst for he/him boy, and green clover for they/them neither! (There are other pronoun sets, of course, but those are the ones Ren currently knows about. Their ex-coach was gay, not trans; the broad spectrum of potential pronouns wasn't something he was all that read in on either.)
Her gaze softens when Akechi explains something deeply personal to himself in the process of how he knew about X-gender. She'd thought he'd learned about it from Tsubasa, but... so that's how. So this is something that was 'normal' for him, even though it's 'abnormal' for everyone else.
No wonder she feels so close to him.
Of course, for as composed as he is with Kasumi, Akechi then goes back to verbally fumbling with Ren, and she goes right back to grinning at him. "Oh, is that so?" she teases. "Maybe you should. You look cooked."
In more ways than one.
"Well, before you do that, since I'm sharing so much right now anyway, I ought to let you two know..." Her throat closes for a second before she boldly continues, "I'm also pansexual. Meaning gender doesn't factor into what I'm attracted to." At least, that's how they define 'pansexual,' as opposed to 'bisexual' being attracted to both one's own gender and other genders. "I've only dated girls before, but I could date a boy in the future...
"...or maybe casually flirt with a boy who otherwise isn't open to dating."
In SO many more ways than one.
Except...
...
...
.........
"Just kidding," she adds, brushing a hand along her hair as she averts her gaze. "I admit, I'd be tempted, but I don't want to give the impression that's all I care about." She glances back at Akechi, now a little demure for real instead of for play. "I don't want to lose your good opinion of me."
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Akechi explains a little how he can solve so many cases, and Kasumi realizes it's her chance!! To wing-woman Akechi!!! "Oh, that reminds me! Senpai, earlier Akechi-san was telling me all about a case he solved recently..." What was the details again? "Apparently a waitress was very helpful in accomplishing a... What is it called, Akechi-san? A sting operation?" She asks, to prompt Akechi into sharing some more.
"Oh! That makes sen-The red light district?!" Kasumi exclaims, a little loud. Thankfully, it doesn't seem anyone has noticed, but she's definitely a little horrified. "I-I'm... I'm so sorry, Akechi-san..." She says, who's struggling a little to imagine a world outside of her comfortable middle class life.
She's quiet for a little bit, as she warps her head around it. And to not be so...shocked. "That's so awful.... That many people can't take part of society so easily." A red light district being a place of safety, it's not something Kasumi's considered before. The world truly is bigger than her gymnastics, or her studies.
Ren then reveals that she's pansexual, and that one is not a surprise to Kasumi considering how hard these two have been flirting in front of her. "I didn't know there was a word for that!" she replies. (Though, she mainly knows sexuality through shoujo manga (and occasionally same-sex manga she shared with her sister).)
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Well, I make time where I may." Akechi explains whenever it comes to how he finds time to sleep. "But I believe my sleeping pattern is known academically as 'Biphasic Sleep'. It means I require less rest overall to feel refreshed- but in return, I must sleep twice a day. Sometimes the light naps I take can be as little as five minutes." He chuckles with a grin, "It certainly is quite the 'power nap'."
He's full of shit, lying through his teeth. But it's better than the explanation 'I just don't' to the both of them. It would make them both think he's suffering some sort of institutional abuse, to maintain his schedule.
And that's the last thing he wants.
Kasumi then mentions- Oh. Oh no. He seems aghast for a moment or two, eyes flicking to Ren. "Ah. Yes, that's correct. She was quite courageous when it comes to how she assisted me in the moment. I... can't exactly share more details due to the sensitive nature of the case.'
If Ren is looking especially smug in this moment, then Akechi's embarrassed look is priceless.
Ren continues to explain in regards to gender, and Akechi listens thoughtfully, nodding along, and gauging her response on his own, but her reaction to where he grew up- "There's nothing to be sorry about. It was an- enlightening experience growing up in that realm."
There's plenty for people to feel sorry about, but he doesn't want people to feel sorry for him, by the same token.
"I think so long as you understand that gender is about a 'social' presentation, rather than biology, that you'll do fine. You don't have to understand everything about it in the moment. Though- it is useful to educate yourself. I'd perhaps recommend not doing so by visiting a Red-Light District unaccompanied though. Touts are often on the lookout for pretty young women, such as yourself."
It's not meant to sound threatening, it's stated in this cold, clinical matter of fact-
Then Ren shares, they're pansexual. Akechi already suspected- but the comment next, he's trying to reach for the dart, picking it up, and beginning to throw for his turn, arm cocking back-
'but I could date a boy in the future'
His arm suddenly swings forward.
'or maybe casually flirt'
'with a boy'
'who otherwise isn't interested in dating'
The dart releases, and instead of a perfect Bullseye- goes wide.
Very wide.
It finds itself sticking in the dartboard of the sheep sitting down, about two meters left of the target, right in the middle of it's forehead.
He coughs, reddening- "Ah- yes well, I suppose-"
'Just kidding.'
Ren got him, and it's entirely fair that they did, given Akechi's whole schtick. Yet he looks somewhat upset anyway, despite the 'Justice' of using that line. There's an irritated look on his face, colored with deep embarrassment.
"That's- You!" At first, it sounds angry at getting the rug pulled out from under him but then, "... ... ... Amamiya-kun." Pause. Take a breath. Recompose. Smile. "Have I reminded you lately how utterly incorrigible you are?" He sounds annoyed in the moment for being caught in his own trick. But he doesn't seem to be against the idea so much as saying he's against it.
Then he turns around quickly to hide the fact that his face is bright red, and goes to extract the dart from the dartboard which is very much, off course.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren has never heard of 'biphasic sleep' before, and there is a briefly dubious look on her face. She will definitely look this thing up later. However, it makes a superficial amount of sense, and what else would he do? Not sleep? That's ridiculous. She accepts the explanation--especially given what he says about his naps--with a nod.
Then Kasumi brings up a case of Akechi's he'd mentioned to her recently. Naturally, Ren looks her way. "Oh?" A waitress helped with a sting operation... Slowly, her eyebrows rise, and her attention ticks back to Akechi as the corners of her mouth tick up. Even without a word, that aghast look on his face tells her everything. The Cheshire smile that unfurls on her lips surely tells him everything back. "Hmmm... Is that so...?"
Well, Akechi. You wanted to see the look on Ren's face when she heard about this.
"Tell me more about this courageous waitress, my Prince. Was she beautiful, too? Elegant? Fiendishly clever? I want to hear all about it~."
Isn't it wonderful when your wishes come true?
At least she falls silent at Kasumi's shock over Akechi's early childhood--and at those who society leaves behind. Her eyes soften, and she tucks her hands into her pockets. "There's a lot of words out there you probably don't know," Ren tells Kasumi gently. "It's no surprise. If you have no one to teach you about it, of course you aren't going to learn about it." She glances sidelong at Akechi when he offers his own perspective on it, and... as much as she is loving embarrassing the ever-loving shit out of him, hearing him be this understanding of a thing so deeply personal to her is...
...well, it's just as well she already knows how she feels. Her smile this time is softer, and much more muted. "Agreed," she adds, looking back at Kasumi. "You gotta be careful out there. I can give you some good websites and books to look up later if you want."
After that, Ren returns to the teasing--timed perfectly for when Akechi lets that dart fly.
When it lands far, far wide of his oh-so-perfect bullseye, so far it's more of a sheepseye, her heart sings.
Still, it's ironic that she backpedals out of a sense of shyness--of wanting to reel back how far she's going, especially in public, especially right in front of Kasumi (as if she hasn't gone as far as Akechi's dart by now)--and Akechi takes it as more mockery. Her smile flickers at his irritation and embarrassment, caught in between exulting in the sight of it and worrying she's genuinely hurt his feelings.
But then he composes himself, smiles, and calls her incorrigible, and that can't help but bring that smile back to life. "Hmmm... I don't know. Maybe you could stand to remind me again?" she says lightly.
Whether he does or not, she watches him fondly as he turns to hide his brilliant blush and retrieves his ill-thrown dart.
Yup. Kasumi and Haru are going to be feasting later.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Akechi's absolutely right at least to hide his real schedule from them. Kasumi at least would be horrified! A solid night's sleep is absolutely vital doing...practically anything!
Still, what Akechi does share has Kasumi bite her lower lip a little. "Well, alright, Akechi-san... Just make sure your 8 hours somehow..."
Kasumi tries to lay Akechi up, but he just looks mortified instead... And Ren jumps on it a bit like a jealous ex? She doesn't totally get it, b-but still!! "You really can't share any more, Akechi-san?" she prods again with a smile. Like, 'this is a good chance to show off!'
Kasumi nods, sympathetically. "For what it's worth, Akechi-san, I'm glad you're in a better position now." She smiles.
Not wanting pity, or for someone to feel sorry for you... That's at least something she knows a lot about.
On going to the red-light district... Kasumi chuckles a little bashfully. "Yeah, my dad won't be very happy about that either..." The traitorous part of her wonders a little if she's even pretty enough for it? But that thought is banished quickly. She's Kasumi Yoshizawa, after all.
More pressingly, Kasumi tilts her head as she thinks about gender being about 'social presentation' rather than biology. It's certainly a perspective she's not heard of before. (And a part of her is getting frustrated with how ignorant she's demonstrating herself as.) Ren offers her a book list, and Kasumi nods with a smile. "Sure, Senpai. I'd appreciate it!"
Kasumi has to mask a little giggle as Akechi's shot goes so, so wide... It's almost a relief to see the perfect Akechi-san flub so badly, too.
She and Haru are absolutely going to be feasting later.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi doesn't even have to LOOK at Ren to know the Chesshire grin is there. Ren prods for more details and his eyes dart sideways before looking away again, at Kasumi to prevent his face from cracking apart on the spot.
"W-Well, I ever do aspire to be a gentleman and not be indecorous. She was on the job, and assisting me so- I feel it'd be inappropriate to think of her in- in that sense." He stammers, like a young man who doth protest too much about staring at a beautiful young lady and then tries to instead be respectful. However- he recently found out that Ren is in fact- also a lady, at times. Not merely dressing as one. "But I can say at least that I thought of her as- quite beautiful and talented yes."
Don't look at Ren don't look at Ren don't look at Ren.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.
"I'd imagine not." He agrees, on Kasumi's Father not being happy about her visiting a Red Light District, unable to hear her inner most thoughts in which he might say 'You'd be considered a prime target' by such people.
Ren offers some books, and Akechi is VERY happy to get off the subject of the Waitress.
Kasumi's giggle gets him bad, as he makes a little 'hrk' noise like he's having to swallow some extremely unpleasant pill, the pill being a taste of his own medicine.
'Hmmm... I don't know. Maybe you could stand to remind me again.'
Akechi glowers, and glowering certainly does bring out those handsome qualities of his, from his striking eyes, behind that silky mop of hair, his cheekbones taut in a way that certain fans of his would die to possess a photograph of him being upset in a serious way.
But the fact that he's upset leads back to his hate. And in his hate- obsession, and in that obsession- feelings he tried to deny so long. Not contradictory, but hand in hand.
And then all of a sudden, he smiles, real big his eyes closing to deny them the visual stimulus of Ren's face, instead giving the impression of him smiling as he chokes back his annoyance and irritation.
"I believe I'll decline, on account of us being in public right now."
He's been on the back foot for so long, that his remark feels like him seizing back some control of himself, after the surprise of the conversation. Flirting back in a sense- by implying they're 'inside' thoughts, but with a somewhat mysterious vibe about him.
Denying Ren that instant gratification he oh so badly wants in the moment.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I should speak to the manager about that miss just in case. I'd rather not be banned before our next game, Amamiya-kun~"
There's a slight playful lilt as he turns away and extracts the dart from the board. Oh yeah, he's not just upset, he's furious. But- furious isn't exactly a bad thing, given the response that Ren wants. After all. They each rather enjoy riling the other up as a challenge to each other.
And this one definitely goes to Ren. He's just playing defense against more points from being scored before the night is done.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It wouldn't be just Kasumi's dad upset to see her wander off by herself into the red-light district. A lot of people who care about her, Ren included, would hate to see anything bad happen to her because she went somewhere she'd end up getting preyed on. Ren doesn't reiterate on the point, though; it's clear she gets it.
She does see her confusion at 'social presentation' vs. biology, but, well... that's part of why it's hard to explain. So many people grow up indoctrinated by the gender binary that it's incredibly difficult to wrap their minds around something outside of it. The fact that she's open and not dismissive to the idea is a big first step, in Ren's view. She smiles back at her, already curating a mental list of good beginners' reference books.
Yet, a jealous ex? Hardly. A jealous ex wouldn't look nearly so delighted to hear Akechi admit he found that waitress beautiful and talented. Flowers all but spin out from Ren's head.
It got under her skin that Akechi's reaction to see her in a maid uniform was to laugh--maybe in delight at the surprise, but still to laugh instead of to blush or stammer or otherwise indicate he found her attractive. This reaction--this admission--is the sweetest of revenge, like a glass of exquisite ruby port. She runs a hand through her hair, a confident gesture to show off how good she knows she looks.
Besides, while Ren doesn't want to genuinely hurt Akechi's feelings, the way he looks when he's angry--those taut cheekbones, those narrowed eyes--is alluring. It's a very different side of him than he usually allows himself to reveal, and for a moment, she's lost in admiration of how handsome he is.
Then all of a sudden he's smiling so wide it squints his eyes shut, and shuts the game down. Or--mm. A reminder that's inappropriate for public, huh... It might be indirect flirting, but it can also be taken as an indirect chastisement, and Ren coughs discreetly into one hand, a touch of color rising in her own cheeks. She has been laying it on thick; way too thick in a place like this that both of them frequent fairly often.
It could be either; it could be both. That, too, is the dichotomy of Goro Akechi: entrancing and frustrating at the same time. Ren gathers themself and reasserts their own neutral, laidback mask as they tuck their hands into their pockets.
"Sure," they reply, back to laconic in response to that playful lilt. But-- "It'd be a shame to end it here."
This match might have gone to Ren, but they do both enjoy riling each other up. They've got to be ready for when Akechi makes his counterattack.
Watching him leave to speak to the manager, Ren sighs faintly, then bends down to swap the pink ribbon pin on their bag back to the green clover.