2026-09-19: For Their Peace of Mind
- Log: 2026-09-19 For Their Peace of Mind
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi
- Where: Back Alleys - Leblanc Cafe
- OOC Date: September 19, 2026
- IC Date: January 12, 2013
- Summary: Considering how few of The Phantoms realized Akechi knows Ren is Joker, Ren makes a point of confirming with him who else he believes or at least suspects he knows is on the team.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
A ring chimes on Goro Akechi's phone, with an oh-so-familiar ring tone he chose for a certain special someone a good while ago, well before they started dating. If he didn't ever ignore their calls before--barring that one period of time when he did so on purpose to set them up for a response to a challenge they issued him--surely he isn't going to now.
When he does, it's of course Ren's voice on the other end. "Hey," they say warmly, a bit of an echo to their voice. Speakerphone. "I got to see you twice yesterday. Lucky me."
They're in their attic room, seated at their desk, at present. Their homework is set to one side right now. Rather than doing that, they're painting their nails--thus the speakerphone. No need for concern, though. Boss is busy with customers downstairs and Ren has Drake Adventure on to play music in the background to fuzz their soft conversation.
"You have time to talk right now? I wanted to discuss... that thing we didn't have a chance to talk about yesterday in Ikebukuro."
In other words, the idea Ren had about what Goro could do to help smooth things over between Ren and the rest of The Phantoms.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
On this Saturday evening, Akechi's phone buzzes discreetly. In part because he has it silenced, currently. That doesn't mean it's still not personalized for Ren. When it's Ren, it's a series of short, long, short buzzes- morse code for 'R'.
"Hm." He checks his phone, "Excuse me, Sae-san, but I should take this. It's from a client of mine."
She gives him a suspicious look as she peers up from the case file that's been disassembled all over her desk, "Your eyes lit up a little too much for it to be just a client." Which causes Akechi to start a little, then chuckle, with that faux affable smile, "Well- you're not wrong. It's actually one of my favorite 'regulars'- you see I'm working a case for them right now and-"
Sae rolled her eyes at him trying to cover it up, "Do you think I'm stupid? You don't have to lie to cover up you're involved with someone right now. Call her back and let that be the end of it tonight so we can get some actual work done."
"Ah. Well- since I can't convince you otherwise- I think I'll do just that."
He says as he walks away, embarrassed, to call 'her'.
"You must have gotten a great New Year's Fortune." He says when either he picks up, or calls back very shortly after Ren starts calling. "Though, perhaps your luck has rubbed off on me. Because I could say the same about coming across you a second time so shortly after our date..."
He's smiling, genuinely smiling at least. "Ah- yes, I recall that you were saving it for later. What's on your mind? There's nothing going on right now that can't be put off a while longer."
Sae did give him permission after all, and while a prolonged call might risk her wrath- permission meant he could indulge her a little.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"You'd think," Ren replies. "Just 'kichi'--a normal amount of good luck." Not even chuukichi or daikichi! "Maybe that means we get to have a normal kind of future together."
That'd be nice, wouldn't it? They don't think that'll happen, and they're not even sure they'd enjoy a 'normal' future, but the fantasy of it has a certain allure.
After all, right now, they don't know if they have any future at all.
"Hmmm, how long is 'a while'?" they tease, smile growing as they apply the polish--white, from a clearance sale at Body Chop. They plan on letting it dry, then painting on black dots for a dice pattern. "I won't keep you too long, though. If I let you indulge me, I'll end up keeping you for hours."
Ren knows that whatever Goro's doing right now, it probably is important, after all. As much as they enjoy the buzz of being even more important than that, they don't want to get too greedy.
"So... you know about me, of course. You suspected it from the very start," they continue, seriousness staining their voice. It's a matter-of-fact statement. "We suspected you suspected, but once you and I stopped pretending, it didn't occur to me to confirm it with them." A touch of dryness: "From my point of view, it was just so obvious."
Back to being matter-of-fact. "So... for their peace of mind, can you tell me everyone you think you know, or even just suspect? Please."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Haha- well, I certainly wouldn't turn that down if that's the decision made by the whims of fate." He says with a bittersweet smile, after all, nothing will be left up to fate in the end.
Just himself.
It would be nice though, and so he does think about it. "Time enough. So don't worry about keeping me overlong. I'll let you know if we begin to push it..."
He's not about to tell them that Sae Niijima is waiting for him to be done or else it might be cut very short.
Then Ren asks a question. And he- "Hold on for one moment." As he takes his phone away from his ear, looks around, then moves closer down the hallway, all the while tapping into an app that will prevent anyone from recording this call without either of them knowing.
"... There. I merely wished to make certain nobody could potentially be listening in. It's safe for me to speak now."
A pause, then.
"Just so you're aware, what I'm about to say is only written in a notebook of mine encoded in such a way that there's no written cipher. This notebook is kept on my person at all times- so there's no other copy that exists."
He doesn't even need to take it out, in order to say it, though he does count on the fingers of one hand as he ticks them off one by one, "Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Haru Okumura, Ichika Kawase, Tsubasa Seki- which you already are aware I know- and on the list, but not confirmed is Kasumi Yoshizawa."
There's a pause.
"I know one other individual codenamed 'Oracle' has joined you as of late, but I have nothing but theories as to their identity. Then there is the Shadow with the codename 'Mona' that has been with your group since the start."
There's a prolonged pause here, "Naturally I don't expect you to confirm any upon this list, nor should you. But hopefully that grants your group the peace of mind they desire."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren smiles to themself when Goro takes the time to make absolutely sure they won't be overheard. They'd kept their phrasing vague because they couldn't be sure of that, but it's just like him to make absolute certain of it.
They make a noise of acknowledgement when he explains about his notebook. Briefly, they wonder if he's started using that fountain pen they got him to write in it, or if it'd feel weird to him to write his case notes about the Phantom Thieves with a pen gifted to him by their leader. They decide not to ask--not least which because he lists off a very precise list of names without hesitation.
It is sobering to hear the names of their friends and teammates come out of Goro's lips like this. It's exactly what they requested, but still. They say nothing about Kasumi or Oracle, but when Mona comes up--
"Shadow?" they echo, eyes widening. They have to bite back the urge to explain that Mona's human; it might be better if Goro doesn't know about his curse... Still, Ren very much wants to know: "What makes you think that?"
Goro at least acknowledges he isn't looking for confirmation. Ren chuckles faintly. "I wasn't planning on confirming or denying anything," they reply. They're not sure it'll give anyone any peace of mind, but they do appreciate his forthrightness. So: "Thank you Goro."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'Shadow?'
'What makes you think that?'
Now that has Akechi stand up a little straighter against the wall, as if incredulity hit him. "Wait- you mean to tell me..."
Another pause. Of course, Ren didn't say too much, but much can be extrapolated even from a question.
"Allow me to start over. I'm rather certain based on the shape he takes in the Metaverse that he can't be human. I once did a test with a life stone left near his path to see if he'd react- so I don't believe he's a demon either. But even besides that test-"
Then after another pause.
"-given his ability to transform into a vehicle, it implies a certain fluidity of form- which Demons do not possess, only Shadows. Even if I weren't certain at a glance, then- I have little doubt by process of elimination alone."
Then after giving it a moment's thought, "That he has a Persona, he's not a typical Shadow- I should clarify. Indeed, he's closer to a human's Shadow from all I've seen- than a Shadow in the Metaverse insomuch as he lacks the hostility or negative traits that humans would prefer not to look at within themselves- which I believe is a function of him possessing a Persona."
He could add knowledge from Cognitive Psience- from the New World Order's purloined notes from the Kirijo on the implications of having a Persona.
Having a Persona is extraordinary enough, given that it is the power of the Shadow harnessed- and all that implies of a Shadow having one.
"I hope that answers that to your satisfaction." Before he says softly, "And... you're welcome, Ren."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"..."
Ren doesn't know what to make of all that, but it sure is a well-reasoned argument. It makes sense too, if you don't know that humans can be cursed into Shadow form. They wouldn't believe it either if Morgana hadn't told them.
...though, thinking on it more, they only have Morgana's word that he used to be human, and with his amnesia, even he isn't actually certain of that...
Isabeau seemed certain Mona was a Shadow too, in retrospect. She had the same hostility to him as she does to that Roger guy. Maybe she's following the same line of logic Goro has, but...
Ren resists the urge to clutch their forehead. Their nails are still wet. God, though, if they're both right and Morgana actually is a Shadow somehow... But wait, then why would he turn into a cat in the real world? Why would he be able to enter the real world at all? ...It's because he has a Persona, isn't it? But how does a Shadow awaken to a Persona in the first place...? Based on what happened with Futaba, wouldn't it become the Persona itself?
God. They just don't know. There's so much they don't know, and they can't even talk to Morgana about it now.
They miss him.
"I get your logic now," they reply softly, which is a way of avoiding having to admit they aren't satisfied at all. That's not Goro's fault, though. "By the way, about Fukami-san..." (because that is an excellent change in topic right now) "...I met her while I was working an evening shift at a place in Shinjuku called Bar Crossroads." They can't help but smile at that, and that reflects in their tone: "You should come see me there sometime. I'll be sure to pay special attention to you."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Of course Akechi can't know all the feelings Ren is going through over the phone. He isn't there to see it. It's just, small sounds, little tells. Enough to understand they're upset.
He has to tell himself it's not at him...
"I'm sorry- but if I said anything out of line- let me know, and I'll be more careful going forward."
Then again, he hasn't actually brought it up in the first place, as if it were 'taboo' to outright ASK about the Phantom Thieves.
Or perhaps it's merely a Detective's Pride, that he has to figure it out on his own, that he cannot ask their Leader, even if they are dating.
He understands Ren won't talk about it, but- if a subject is off limits, well, he can try to respect that as long as he can.
"Oh?" He actually seems a little surprised, but in his voice is more than that- recognition.
"I know of the establishment, believe it or not. Perhaps its merely coincidence, but while I can't know every bar in Tokyo, certainly, I know of most friendly to a certain- clientele."
Without saying 'The Queer Population' he definitely implies it at least. "I had no idea you were working there, actually. I'll be sure to swing by one night while you're on shift."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"No... No, you're fine. I asked," Ren reassures him. They are upset to a certain degree, but it certainly isn't at Goro.
It's just... complicated. For so many reasons they can't tell him.
So it's good for both of them that there's a friendlier topic for them to broach. Ren chuckles faintly. It is a funny coincidence--assuming of course it isn't because Goro has been tracking their activities for a long time, which Ren isn't so head-over-heels for him to not think of. Goro says he didn't know they worked there, though, so they'll choose to believe him.
"Great. Then I'll be sure to let you know," they reply. "Now I'd better let you go for now. I need to finish my homework, anyway." (More like they need to start it. They won't say that part. At least they got their laundry done earlier...) "Talk to you later, Goro. And take care of yourself out there."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"You did, but that doesn't mean it wasn't upsetting." He points out, though he doesn't question further as he knows that Ren won't talk about it.
Believe it or not- this was not from Akechi following Ren around. He genuinely had no idea that Ren worked there. In the same sense he had no idea she was working at the maid cafe.
"By all means. Even if I can't drink anything alcoholic... well, I'm sure I'll find ways to entertain myself with you there~"
He teases, just lightly, before, "Of course, I'll talk to you soon, alright? Have a good night."
-=-=-
"All finished?"
"It was quite the productive call."
Sae-san gives him a look like she definitely doesn't buy that. "Don't say a word about it. I had enough in my own high school years to have to listen to that kind of talk all over again."
Akechi smiles, chuckling lightly, "Well- it wasn't like that really. Would you believe me if I told you that we were discussing the identities of the Phantom Thieves?"
Sae stared at him for a moment, then growled, "Get serious. We have a long night ahead of us--"
Akechi could only sigh, with a knowing smile.
The Phantoms
Message: 12/19
Author: Ren Amamiya, Thu Sep 17 2026
(IC) Important Updates
So everyone knows, Morgana has been going through some things lately, and that came to a head a couple days ago when he blew up at me, Ryuji, Ichika, and Hibari. He said our deal's off and he's leaving the group, but in an "I'm just saying this in the heat of the moment" kind of way, but also in an "I've been sitting on some problems for a long time and I've had it" kind of way. A lot of things were said on both sides that I hope we're all regretting now.
I managed to find him the next day outside a new Palace in Odaiba with Yoshizawa, but he refused to talk or come back to Leblanc with me. Instead, he said he's partnering up with her to explore that Palace and get his memories and human body back, and she agreed. As long as he's with Yoshizawa, I'm sure she'll make sure he's okay, at least, so I took my bows at that point. I'm not giving up on him yet, though.
I have that Palace in my Meta-Nav now, by the way, but for some reason, it won't show the name. I don't know why, or how they got in to begin with. I managed to sneak in while the way opened for Morgana and Yoshizawa, and from what I overheard, it sounded like neither of them made it happen either. We can check it out later if need be.
Yoshizawa did at least give me some info on Nagisa-kun's Homunculus. Apparently, he's bent on literally bloody revenge against a few people, and Makoto's one of them. She gave me the link to his Atelier too, so when we're ready, we'll be able to take it on and help get rid of him before he can hurt anyone. Makoto, this affects you the most, so I'll have you take point on this one. Let me know if there's anything you need.
((Ren includes the AtelierNetwork.jp link that allows one to enter Shinichi Nagisa's Atelier. We can now ICly run that Monad. Makoto will be handling scheduling for this!))
As for Studio 4, Fukami-san's Kingdom, Futaba, Hibari and I managed to find some information at the last second, right before we were driven out of there. Hopefully we can use it to help Fukami-san and the rebellion there out.
(OOC: Futaba, Hibari and I ran that Monad, and established that there were others there and we split up, but didn't specify any names. If you want to say you were there too, please feel free!)
The Phantoms
Message: 12/21
Author: Ren Amamiya, Tue Sep 22 2026
(IC) On Who Akechi Knows
I asked Akechi who he believes or at least suspects is a member of The Phantoms besides me. After making sure no one was listening in, then assuring me this is only written in a personal notebook he keeps on his person at all times that's encrypted with a personal cipher no one else uses:
- He listed Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, Ichika, and Tsubasa with confidence.
- He listed Oracle and Mona without confidence--no real-life names, just the codenames.
-- He said he has theories on Oracle's identity but didn't share specifics.
-- He thinks Mona's a Shadow, not a human, because of how he can transform.
--- Looking back on when we fought in Futaba's Palace, I think Wild Hunt thinks he's a Shadow too.
- He suspects Yoshizawa's a member but doesn't know for sure.
- He didn't list Hibari/Mujina at all.
Obviously I didn't confirm or deny anything, and I kept my phrasing plausibly deniable. At most, I asked him why he thought Mona was a Shadow, which is when he explained his reasoning. I don't know if he's right or not, but he seems convinced he is. With this, we should all be on the same page, but let me know if you have any questions.