2025-12-02: A Search Warranted
- Log: A Search Warranted
- Cast: Goro Akechi, Myunghon Yeo
- Where: Cardboard Dragon, Hirasaka Ward
- OOC Date: December 03, 2025
- IC Date: August 20, 2012
- Summary: The Second Detective Prince, Goro Akechi, comes late at night to the Cardboard Dragon.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
It just so happens that late at night, that someone enters the Cardboard Dragon rather quietly.
And a young man wearing a sweater vest with white long sleeves, and khaki slacks, with polished black shoes just strolls up to Merry's office, brandishing a suitcase with the logo for a Detective Agency.
Rap rap.
"This is Goro Akechi, here on behalf of the Special Investigations Unit... I have a warrant to search the premises. You will cooperate, won't you?"
...
...
...
"Just kidding." He says as he leans sideways, past the doorframe with a smile, "Rumormonger Merry, I take it? Given your reputation, I thought a light joke might be the perfect icebreaker."
Though then he comes into view, withdrawing into a more pensive stance, "Was I wrong?"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon Yeo's had a terrifying week and a half or thereabouts, with a record overwhelming amount of dangerous customers including but not limited to:
* Tatsuya Sudou, in the role of Taka Suho! Yeah, they picked up on his implicit (and explicit) threats.
* Shiryuu Ryouhara, who barged in through their Hell Nightmare bedroom late at night!
Add all that to the overwhelming experience they've had Navigating through Eiji's Palace (which required them to mask up as Merry harder than they've had to in a while), and perhaps it's understandable that by the time shop hours close and the sun has set, the purveyor is feeling their exhaustion hit peak limits. They still have to go to the public baths to bathe, now that most people've gone and bathed (they really, really are uncomfortable sharing the baths with anyone for very obvious reasons but also they don't own a private bath)...
And thus, we enter on our scene with Myunghon preparing a small bag of toiletries and a folded towel and a change of clothes, hands somewhat shaking as--
Rap rap.
Their eye widens more than they'd care to admit, as they suddenly find a rather tidily-dressed young man. Did they forget to-- yes, they forgot to lock the door again, but their fatigue's caught up with them more than they'd care to admit if they didn't even hear or see him come in.
The very mention of the 'Special Investigations Unit' and a warrant already has Myunghon's mind tachyonically coursing at beyond lightspeeds as they spiderweb out to a number of potential items they're going to be searched or interrogated for. This young man doesn't bear the same kind of countenance or demographics as that of Ishiba or Ezoe. But it doesn't mean that he isn't related. The briefcase that he carries has a particular extravagant logo, as if he wants to show it to the world. 'A'. Special Investigations Unit. Goro Akechi...
"The Detective Prince himself," they say, gently.
Akechi gets to scrutinise the way Myunghon Yeo's face, so marked by the deep bags underneath their one eye, shrinks up into a kind of personal terror, pupil dilating as they go on their own investigative journey--
Just kidding. Rumourmonger Merry, I take it?
--and then, as if that were the signal, that timidness just seems to melt away as their entire body language just shifts into someone much more comfortable in their own skin, a sharp smile creasing onto the ends of their face as they place their finger to their lip and pace forward gently.
The mask is on.
Merry is dressed femme today, in a cream ruffle-blouse with a black ribbon tie that's been undone for the night, with an inverted pleat skirt and black leggings to go with the... the... massive Koala slippers.
Their Cognitive Coat is some meters away on a coat rack. The same situation as Shiryuu.
"Ara," Merry makes an inquisitive little noise. "The detective stands at the precipice to this humble card store. The door was locked until it was breached, and there are no other signs of forced entry. The windows -- old louvres, too small for persons to pass through -- all shuttered. Yet standing before them is the corpse of what was once a human being, a deadly dagger thrust through their back as if it'd materialised from thin air, for there are no signs of an intruder -- or self-harm."
The smile grows ever dangerous, as if to overcompensate for the timid soul inside. "Was it murder, detective? Or... just a simple house call? Rumourmonger Merry, at your service."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
And indeed - he does see that shift, from that personal terror... to the mask. "Oh my... did I startle you? My apologies, I didn't mean to cause you any distress."
A reminder perhaps, that the mask is not so complete as Merry would like it to be. The trauma of what happened with the Police Officer-
The idea of how many terrible ways this could go.
A momentary fright, then gone.
Perhaps it is the 'femme' dress that caused him to be so apologetic. Perhaps.
Their greeting though reminds him of precisely of that reputation though, one that caused him to make this approach.
"Well, I do love a good locked room mystery, so I'm quite certain if I were here to murder you - I could reasonably set one up in short order. Perhaps they'd even consult me to investigate the crime I committed."
He does smile in that affable way, so cheerful as he responds to that, "Sorry to disappoint, but an evening of 'light homicide' is hardly in the cards... Haha." He chuckles at his own pun.
"I merely decided to swing by and introduce myself. You've been a part of Sumaru City's Rumormonger community long enough that it'd be remiss of me to ignore your presence in this city... don't you think?"
That smile hardly changes, merely an inquisitive tone creeps in there. "Now then, do you prefer Merry? Yeo-san? I'd wager that you'd like your family's ... 'adopted' name to remain off limits?"
Ah there it is. The Detective side of him coming right out.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
One of the most overwhelming feelings of shame that Myunghon still feels on the regular is indeed when someone points out: 'hey, you masked up'. Like someone is able to discern that they did it on purpose, are shifting from one posture to another. It is, indeed, nowhere near as complete as they'd like it to be. And...
Myunghon hasn't resolved their feelings of what it really does mean to dress 'femme', now have they? These are precious, lovely clothes given to them by someone they could consider their first, who is not here anymore. They do like the clothes, but the nagging feeling of 'you're betraying yourself' and also 'you're just going back to where you started', and most painfully, perhaps, as Akechi reminds--
These were clothes granted to Myorei Yukichi.
"No, it is fine," Merry answers, though they both know the damage is already done. It's a first defeat, on that front. "Mmm. To return to the scene of the crime and deduce the very perfect incident you perpetrated is an exquisite move indeed," they chuckle.
But, light homicide is hardly in the... cards. Merry can't help but smile at that, as Akechi simply says he's here because of their connection to the Rumourmonger community in Sumaru. "My, but that does flatter me. If you are here for the latest rumours, then I can certainly provide, though the time of your arrival suggests to me you have more... private matters than the ordinary rumourmill that excites the day crowd."
But Akechi also brings up preferred names, as his inquisitve tone creeps in. "Merry is fine," they answer all too lightly, trying to not show his bringing up their 'adopted' name rankling them lightly. "That other person, in many practical measures, died already, would you not agree? Perhaps even..."
They show a pleased face that soft belies their tender nature underneath. "... to a light homicide."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"It would be. Indeed, if I were a 'Master Criminal' rather than someone the media has titled the 'Second Coming of the Detective Prince', you would be in trouble!"
He keeps smiling, like it's a simple back and forth sparring match in that sense. "Aha, more that I was hoping that I might interest you in being an informant... from time to time." He says, as he even produces a business card from his pocket, as he sets down his briefcase.
And indeed, even holds it quite respectfully with both hands and a small bow, even as Merry asserts that 'boundary'. "That does seem to be the case." He says in reply, "And perhaps it's even for the best. After all... many would call it 'karmic retribution'."
An interesting choice of words, which is akin to 'divine punishment'. "But I'm not one of them. The will of neither gods, nor demons interests a man such as myself. Such mysteries are always so... banal."
As he then steps back, saying instead, "I thought instead of rumors... I'd ask for a personal opinion of sorts. The Phantom Thieves of Hearts..." He says, as he places a hand to his chin, "... what are your impressions of them, thus far?"
Thus far... that rather implies he thinks they have first hand knowledge, doesn't it?
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
There's a luxurious chuckle at the comment, as they reply in turn, "A Detective can often only be defined by the Criminals that they so chase, not to mention the laws of the society they choose -- or choose not -- to integrate with. Like two sides of a coin... they're terribly fascinating people, are they not?"
On the mention of his interest of being an informant, Merry does gesture, towards the couch, no matter the time of night. It's just polite to converse in a setting that, for all the Cardboard Dragon is, does look rather like a traditional detective's office, with the coffee table and the old windows overlooking not much at this late hour.
"Would you like some tea, then? I also baked some cookies a little earlier today, if that is to your taste."
There's a soft blink from that one gray eye of theirs as Akechi describes what happened to be 'karmic retribution' to some. Divine punishment. There's a faint smile, as someone who still very much carries their six mon coins with them. But Akechi underlines himself as someone who's not interested in the wills of gods nor demons.
Such mysteries are so... banal.
"They are very convenient beings, are they not? The words of divine providence and eternal damnation are often very flexible," Merry chuckles. "Probatio diabolica is a favourite cudgel of many in power."
But what is intriguing is Akechi's topic of what they think of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. ... what is their impression of them? This wasn't entirely expected... does that mean that he has an inkling as to their recent dealings with them?
"Hmm. I do enjoy the craft of their showmanship," Merry points out, as someone who's equally theatric. "As someone who enjoys tricks," the Rumourmonger continues, waving their hand and twisting their wrist about before manifesting a single Ace of Hearts from seeming thin air, "I enjoy a bit of misdirection myself. Their theatrics invite discourse by its very nature, does it not? 'Is this just?' is something the common person is invited to ask."
They smile and place the tip of that card to their lips. "What do you think a Change of Heart is, dear Detective?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Aha... You took the words right out of my mouth, actually. When you actually think about it, a Detective is a rather nebulous thing. Taken alone, there's no guarantee that one will be valuable to society. A couple of things are needed-"
He holds up a single finger of his right hand, "A tough case which only they can solve," A second finger, "And the existence of a worthy rival to make such a case."
Indeed, he seems to agree completely about the 'two sides of a coin'. After all, Herlock Sholmes and Arsene Lupin... if you actually read it, Sholmes is quite the ruthless bastard, in pursuit of besting the Gentleman Thief.
"Well I wouldn't want to impose - though if you were inclined to insist... I could go for a cup." And he does move towards the couch, to settle down at the conversation. He even makes himself quite comfortable. One leg over another, a hand against the side of his head. That boyish smile her way.
Though as she cites the Devil's Proof- "Nearly synonymous with Plausible deniability... in the court of public opinion." He says, with a little cluck of his tongue, like he agrees with them on the matter.
Does he know? Does he not know? It's hard to say, his expression isn't betraying anything on the matter, merely scrutinizing the mask that Merry is putting on.
"'Invited' yes- though how many actually do? To many - it's simply a matter of identity, and feeling, more than debate."
And yet - he's the one on TV trying to appeal to the masses in the opposite direction. 'What do you think a Change of Heart is, dear Detective?'
He sits up straighter, uncrossing his leg, "A fair question. However, as their methods remain unknown, I can only speculate based on the results. You see- I questioned Junya Kaneshiro and his Lieutenants immediately after he turned himself in. After that Calling Card was sent - his subordinates reported that there was a near immediate change within him. He was not the same man, in their eyes... a completely different person, that does not fit the psychological profile of a ruthless Mafia Boss that was willing to ruin the lives of children with about as much thought as he'd give to ordering his lunch."
A beat.
"Perhaps even less." Folding his hands together, the fingers steeple, "Would that not be considered a 'Death of Personality' in a sense, to change someone so thoroughly against their will?"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"A Detective is often presented as a... grotesquerie," Merry muses, though the comment doesn't seem to be pointed at Akechi at all, given that they're musing about the very concept of the role. "In many classic works, the role of the detective is the impersonal monster that comes to strip out an unbearable truth out only after tragedy has happened, and just as quick to leave those who have to dwell on such revelations."
They tilt their head with a deep smile. "I find those kinds of characters... relatable. The Detective, as an ideal, not a human being. Not a creature of blood and emotion, but one of logic and truth."
Which does speak volumes to the timid, terrified Myunghon masking behind the seemingly invincible, bombastic, vivacious Merry, isn't it? Merry, the very ideal of the Revolutionary, the Rumourmonger, whatever other labels you want to ascribe to them -- a creature that can't bleed purely because they run on ideals and Hope.
It's almost childish, like bearing a hero's mask in play-pretend.
But very human, no matter what Myunghon says about 'what was once a human being'.
Tea is served in due time -- Akechi noticing easily that their arms are rather weak that they choose not to put all the cups and saucers and kettle in one tray, and with a slight tremble to their fingers still. It does line up with how much Officer Ishiba's been inflicting physical trauma on them, and with their negative relationship with doctors due to how they still exist as Myorei Yukichi...
But Akechi speaks of a Change of Heart from a non-supernatural standpoint. Is he awakened? Is he simply just very clever? It's a perspective worth indulging in, nonetheless. After all, to the unawakened, it really does feel as if one's personality has been stripped from the core, changed overnight.
"That is true. The change is very dramatic, is it not? And the choice of target has been someone deeply harmful to society -- Kaneshiro, Madarame, as if to further illustrate how the 'worst' can be subverted. Everything about the Thieves' modus operandi is to maximise attention, from the choice of Calling Card, and the specific terms they use, and even the aesthetic that's inevitably been adopted to their Phan-Site..."
A pause.
"But we do have many facets of ourselves we never show the public, do we? It is easy to say 'a Mafia Boss could never act like that'."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Not inaccurate. Though I far prefer the word 'eccentric'. Perhaps it's because it classifies the person as more 'acceptable' to society."
He says with a subtle tension around the edges of his smile, "Those with talent - those with benefit to society are allowed to exist as 'eccentrics'. A monster wearing human skin... isn't. Perhaps it's merely a matter of optics."
He says, while looking at them with those brown eyes, reflecting the mask Merry has on right now.
"My sole interest after all is uncovering the truth. Some would call that quite monstrous, in certain contexts."
Yes, indeed, it does speak volumes. However, one can say the same of him... as the popular celebrity Detective.
The Hero's Mask. It's validation. Like a Featherman character's secret identity.
Recrossing his legs, he takes a sip of the tea in a more casual pose, lifting it up. If he's concerned about poison or polonium, he's certainly not showing it.
"... by the 'Phan-dom'." He points out, "I imagine the web administrator would be quite distressed if he were to be accused of colluding with the Phantom Thieves on matters of Web design..."
Poor Mishima's Shadow is quite talkative, so wanting for attention and validation. What a useless weight around their necks.
He holds up a finger, and waggles it from side to side, "We all wear many masks in our lives, this is true. And there sides of ourselves we don't show to others... Tatemae... Honne. It's just how we live our lives."
He says while taking a sip of tea, "But let's say for the sake of argument - the Phantom Thieves drug out the Mask your dear father desired for you to wear... and forced it upon you."
A beat.
"And the only thing you felt... was gratitude."
A rather dark twist upon the concept, isn't it?
"It's a rather extreme example, but it's often where that line of thinking goes, isn't it? So you would then understand why I'm so skeptical of their methods, I imagine."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"Hmm..." Merry muses on that word Akechi's picked, eccentric. "If it suits -- however, my personal experience with the word 'eccentric' or 'idiosyncratic' has largely been through another's mouth to excuse them for the rough edges that must be sanded down, as you say -- only allowed to exist for their talent, to be discarded when it is inconvenient."
It's very personal, perhaps. No doubt their father has bandied the word about for them many a time.
But Akechi makes one thing clear -- his interest is in uncovering truth. There's a light, almost too-easy smile at that, as they offer the cookies next -- they're checkerboard cookies. A little misshapen, but perhaps that's what makes them lovingly handmade. And the taste is... exacting of a recipe. The competent standard of a novice baker who has followed instructions to the letter.
"It is not akin to the phenomenon of copycat crimes, though, ara... will you also knock on their door and say you have a warrant?" Merry chuckles at the thought, though perhaps understanding that whoever this administrator must be on their radar in some respect.
But as for Merry's demeanor...
It is curious, isn't it? The habit in which Myunghon hides behind Merry, as if it were a shield against all that ails in the world. It's easy to think of it as two separate halves, but like it or not, this isn't just impeccable acting -- Akechi'd know, perhaps, better than most, because...
The Shadow he met long ago likely behaved in such a similar manner, so thoroughly repressed by the demeanor Myorei put on at the time, thoroughly beaten down and obedient to her father.
Tatemae. Honne. There's a lot of nuance to their own culture here that gets one called out for sticking out. Some relish in it. Others avoid it like the plague. But Akechi proposes a thought experiment--
What if the Phantom Thieves brought out the Mask their father desired for them?
Merry's face is blank and cold for a moment at this.
And the only thing you felt... was gratitude.
"I do believe skepticism is warranted. After all, on the surface, it seems nothing short of 'magic', isn't it? But there is always logic behind the magic," Merry ruminates, immediately taking on the opportunity to continue the conversation rather than try to dwell on that past self.
"I spoke of misdirection earlier. Don't you think that the name itself invites overimagination? That's the tool of any magician worth their salt. A Change of Heart. I think the naming is deliberate to invite us to think, 'these Phantom Thieves could implant *any* personality they so desire'. That is, after all, what change means to our cultural consciousness -- a discarding of the old, to any new. The new you, a blank slate with infinite potential."
They gesture with one hand. "But the victims of this Change of Heart phenomenon have largely only become submissive and apologetic, have they not? We have at least three cases to identify a pattern. Do you not think this suggests a limitation in their methods?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
They're not wrong. In fact, if he had to say it - he understands the balancing act of winning popular opinion. If he's not winning. Then he's discarded.
If he weren't useful to Shido, he'd be discarded long ago.
"Well that's hardly exclusive to the 'eccentrics'. As I said to an acquaintance of mine not so long ago... Adults are only interested in using the young, while they simply do as the Adults say."
He then winks at them, "So if you would consider going easy on me - I rather like my rough edges." It's an acknowledgement perhaps for the first time that Merry is an adult in his eyes...
... and that they're in the room with a child. Detective or not. Celebrity or not.
A cookie is dipped in the tea, as he takes a bite. "Quite good, my compliments." The fact is, he doesn't actually care, but an easy lie is better than a hard truth for most.
Not everyone's sole interest is in uncovering it.
"Heavens no." He smiles at them, "I wouldn't want to be accused of being unoriginal. Perhaps a telegram... or would that be too old fashioned?"
Their Shadow... how different they were to the person he sees in front of them now. Well, Akechi is hardly one to diss and tell.
"You might be right." He concedes regarding overimagination, "Perhaps I am misreading what they do entirely. However, I'm disinclined to give them the benefit of the doubt without a full understanding of what they do."
And then he holds up three fingers, "Does it?" He questions regarding the pattern, "And what if I told you that they've targeted many more individuals than the news media has reported upon..."
A sip of tea.
"... perhaps even a great many. And if the net we're casting is that much wider... then who is to say what their limitations actually are?"
He does smile much wider, "Though, I should be more careful, after all I am speaking to a Rumormonger."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
That was exactly it, wasn't it. Myorei Yukichi went through the first 21 years of her life, some could say, not living, because the only metric by which she had to exist was to be useful to her parents... and Seiichirou Yukichi had a much tighter grip than the aloof, seemingly eccentric Suzie Park.
And their decision to stop had massive, disastrous consequences, like being discarded with light homicide, Miho-style.
Merry hums a thought at that, as Akechi speaks of how the dynamic of adults and children is of being used, and doing as they say. It's... a very stark worldview, for someone -- yes, young as Akechi is. Merry doesn't particularly differentiate between adult and child... but Myunghon does, and as much as they want to pretend they're separate halves, it's the empathy and caring they have inside that's allowed them to reach youths like Shinjiro and Tsubasa.
"I wouldn't worry. Is this not a den of eccentricity all on its own? You well know of my past, and this is what I chose instead of the high halls of corporate," Merry points out. There's a quiet nod at their cookie compliment (anything that isn't 'you messed this up' is a pass in Myunghon's book right now, given how they have no frame of reference themself)...
But Akechi jokes about not wanting to be unoriginal. A telegram? "It'd be unique, that's for certain."
Akechi isn't inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt, and Merry simply nods at that. "Oh, I'm not saying that. I'm merely pointing out what I observe behind the pomp and splendour of the whole affair. When you've little inkling of how it is a magician plies their trade, it's easy to lose sight of the ground."
There's a hum of curious thought, however. More than three... perhaps even a great many.
"How intriguing. Might you be referring to the Phan-Site postings, perhaps...?" Merry ponders. They don't really have a good sense of what amongst them is done and not. "When you compare that mode, it's almost like the Revenge Request website, isn't it?"
There's a faint chuckle and a widening smile in synchronicity with Akechi's own widening smile. "We Rumourmongers function on barter, of course. If you believe your information to be solid, then I would not mind exchanging intel."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
A very stark worldview... yes...
... though his upbringing was a great deal different, from Myorei Yukichi's...
"Then I suppose I should be grateful that you're giving me a 'pass'." Akechi says, with a sort of wry humor. As if they had all the power, and he had absolutely none.
Then again, for a child to have power in a society that values seniority so much as to make one year's difference significant, perhaps his methods are the only way that someone like himself can exist.
"Well, I think Magicians is likely a bit of an overstatement to begin with... but I do digress."
Akechi is still so upset that they have a single thing over him in the Metaverse. Despite being relative novices.
SO MAD!!!
"Perhaps... and I would say there are similarities, superficially. Though the Phan-site offers no obvious money trail to follow... and the Revenge Website is quite good at hiding their own."
So good that even the IT President in his pocket couldn't track it, he could only see there is one.
"Barter is it? Well..." He leans forward, "... what if I told you I could tell you who all of the Phantom Thieves are right now?"
...
...
...
...
"Just kidding." He says with a smile, again as he waves a hand dismissively, "Obviously if I knew that, they'd already be in custody."
Something which bothers the hell out of Ren to this very day. But Merry doesn't need to know that.
"But yes, let's suppose that the Phantom Thieves do in fact - answer a number of Phan-Site requests and send their targets Calling Cards, even if they themselves are certainly not involved in it's running. Is that useful enough information, at least for your purposes?"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
In a way, Merry is not unaccustomed to teens that already have had to become adults. And as much as people would like to underestimate how shockingly easy it can seemingly come to some, there's always a hidden cost, they've found. Much like how their years cost them, one way or another. How it pulled them away from their first love and towards corporate killings. All in the name of being... valuable to someone who ultimately didn't even lavish them with care.
Myorei Yukichi's upbringing was moneyed, certainly. But a cold, desolate latchkey upbringing, despite all the money.
But that just invited a child to wonder: 'what is the secret that will make them care?', doesn't it?
Sadly, Merry doesn't have any idea that Akechi is salty about their catbus. ... Merry might be, too. But then again, they have Mio, who can drive, and their sister, whose Persona they can cling onto for flight, so perhaps even in this regard they're a little ahead.
"Hm," Merry finds something Akechi says very intriguing -- perhaps even moreso than the fact that the Phantom Thieves do answer the Phan-Site requests, that there is some measure of legitimacy behind this. "No money trail. A grassroots, low-key affair, then," they muse. "It would be rather embarrassing for the Thieves to have been behind large sums of money, after all."
But Akechi plays at being able to tell them -- all the Phantom Thieves! all their identities! --
No, just kidding.
If that were the case, they'd already be in custody.
Merry seems to just take that in stride, but they wonder -- it almost sounds like he's proud. Because as much as Merry thinks they have nothing in common... they do have that brattish streak, don't they, the way they feel the need to boast or even just seemingly declare something grand to offset people.
"I suppose the trail, then, leads to you being part of the Special Investigations Unit -- small Changes of Heart that do not merit media reputation, but ultimately become collated as part of policework," Merry remarks, then... they lean forward.
"That is valuable information..." A pause. "There is one other thing I'd like to request of you, as someone who's been following these cases -- one of timeframe." Merry stops for a moment, then says, "... did these cases only start in April this year, or have there been cases even before the media sensationalised it?"
They tap their chin. "In exchange... well, I certainly could apprise you of Sumaru's darling sequence killer, the Joker Killer. That is our homegrown special at present." There's a lavish little smile as they tilt their head. "They've even been here, on the very grounds we are in... with an interesting quirk on the security footage I recorded."
The Rumourmonger offers their phone forward, where they have footage from a certain Tatsuya Sudou posing as Taka Suho conversing with Myunghon at the counter... save that their face is covered by shadows, as if hands were covering their face.
"Now, you could very well say I edited this... but I stand to gain nothing from it. The camera footage is also a closed loop not connected to the internet. You could say it's a Sumaru flavour of mystery, wouldn't you say?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Quite. Though I won't rule out them having other controlling interests just yet..."
... How did they learn so quickly how to do something that he himself has no idea how to do...
It's infuriating, they must have had help, some patron, some sponsor - perhaps Igor shared with them some secret for all he knows.
Or that damnable cat who becomes a BUS!
But he does seem quite proud, doesn't he? Or perhaps he's merely used to having to boast about his talents just for adults to even acknowledge him...
Akechi smiles at Merry as they ask a question, "No, April is certainly when they made their debut. Whereas the Phan-Site was erected in early May. May the Fifth I believe, off the top of my head."
He then sits forward, putting the tea down, "However... it's not impossible that the Change of Heart Phenomenon is related to another one we both know quite well... that of the 'Psychotic Breakdown'. Which... as you well know, has been an epidemic for roughly two and a half years of recorded cases. It's my belief that it is not an actual Psychotic Break with reality... but something induced by a tangible culprit."
He does smile broadly, "Which is why it's all the more important that I understand their methods as soon as possible... as I believe it will lead me to the one responsible for them."
He at least doesn't fully commit to them being the Phantom Thieves (Not anymore. Sorry not sorry Tsubasa.)
Merry does however offer something of the Joker Killer, and Akechi's smile fades into something far more serious, "Interesting, by all means..." He watches the video, and in the aftermath, a hand to his chin, as he stares at it with a certain intensity.
"No, if it had been altered, there'd be signs... nor do I believe this is the result of some unique technology he possesses." He rubs his chin, seeming lost in thought for a time. "... the Audient Void..." He murmurs, which may sound unusual to Myunghon's ears.
He seems lost in speculation for a few moments longer, before nodding, "Yes, thank you, this was a valuable trade indeed, and explains much on why we haven't captured any security footage of him as of yet."
He hates this more and more, the closer to the mystery he gets. And yet, he persists. Because he has to prove himself the greater Monster.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"The site came after, not before," Merry ruminates on that. "It's the kind of situation where you could very well believe it may not have even been planned." Other controlling interests, however... what other co-conspirators could there be, accidental or otherwise? It's interesting to talk about.
Akechi does confirm that the Change of Hearts did start in April... at least, in the shape that they -- the police -- know of. But it's not impossible they're related to the Psychotic Breakdowns... and that they're induced by a culprit too. "Mm... that had well been on my mind too. There's even been speculation that the Change of Heart is a 'rehabilitation', a purposeful image change," Merry notes, though knowing what they know... it's rather an interesting relation they have, in the supernatural end of things.
But they're not inclined to dismiss Tsubasa out of hand, because they do care about them.
"Hm... 'the one responsible for them'," Merry points out. "Do you believe there is a benefactor, a mastermind, in the shadows, in contrast to the Thieves in the limelight?"
In truth, Merry did suspect that too, but perhaps in a different way -- because they don't have the privilege of Igor guiding them, they're still suspicious that a supernatural mastermind is behind the manipulation of the Meta-Nav apps and, now, the distortions that have caused Palace Rulers to rise... and that what they do may very well still be in the rails of what this unknown entity wants them to do.
They're extremely discomforted by how the Meta-Nav jumps with them, after all. Like a Mark, in a different sense.
But the Joker Killer seems to bring an unexpected side to Akechi -- something that washes the smile off in favour of a certain... drive in them. Like the Phantom Thieves are sport, a rival to beat, but this -- is something different entirely.
The Audient Void...? Myunghon does feel a little unseated, somehow, at that. But Merry's the one present, and there's a faint chuckle as they say, "Would you mind if we traded numbers, Akechi-kun? I think we could have a mutually beneficial relationship. The Phantom Thieves are of great interest to me, and it seems, the Joker Killer is one of yours."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Almost... you'd think these masterminds were a bunch of rag tag teenagers without any real plan and only the slightest inkling of what they were doing?
But no, impossible. That can't be for any true Phantom Thief!
"Yes. To be honest, I find that kind of 'rehabilitation' abhorrent. Because it means they did not truly take responsibility for their actions."
If there's one thing Akechi himself is big on- it's that he, and he alone is responsible for what he does.
Not Shido, nor anyone else.
It was his choice, and nobody else's to live his life this way.
"I do. And I haven't quite ruled out the Phantom Thieves... as of yet. It could be one of their members is not exactly who they think they are."
But which one? He doesn't explain, quite yet.
Akechi's still considering the implications of Nyarlathotep taking a hand in this. He still remembers the feeling of Takahisa Shinjo, his hands upon them - that feeling like he was crawling in and out of his mind.
That smile like he was so insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
He refuses to acknowledge some 'Crawling Chaos' as something he would ever follow. He is the only one responsible for his actions. End of story.
He's still staring at the afterimage of her phone in speculation before, "Hm? Oh- My apologies, I was lost in thought. If you'll just let me see that business card I handed you earlier..."
He writes the number for his second phone, the one he always answers as soon as possible, on the back of the card. Then inputs Merry's Phone Number into his own contact list.
"Well, I thank you for indulging my curiosity tonight. I do believe this could be a very productive relationship for the two of us. Now if you'll excuse me... I shouldn't impose any longer. Consider this search warrant... executed." He says as he lifts up his brief case, and waves with a chuckle, as he steps out of their office before-
"Oh... Did I forget to mention that the Sumaru Police Department is wholly corrupt and that I'm attempting to destroy their entire power structure?"
A beat.
"It must have slipped my mind."
WHY IS THAT WHAT HE LEAVES THEM TO SIT WITH!?