[ Well, when you've spent most of your life in orphanages, you kind of learn to dig through donation piles and stake your claim before anyone else does. That is one useful skill right now. ]

If we sew it up, the shirt will either fit too loosely or not at all. Since it doesn't have any buttons, the strings on top need to be loosened before slipping it on-- and this fabric doesn't have any elasticity in it, so if you force it in, it might rip.

[ Are you impressed yet, Minato? This boy has a wealth of random information. ]

But, we can worry about that later. For now, we should get started on your lessons, correct?

[ One day, yes. Akechi is given to some oversharing, so that shouldn't be hard at all to accomplish, especially for a Persona Protag. ]

The basics and manual sewing are all I know, yes. [ Said as he threads the needle and picks up the shirt, flips it inside out and lays it on his lap. ]

It may sound obvious, but unlike you do with machines, you need to knot the thread at the start, and then-- [ And he sets off to sew the left sleeve back in; it's a very basic stitch, and he definitely doesn't know what it's called, but he gives minor instructions as he goes.

He is pretty swift with it, though, and the end result, while nothing like a professional job, is far superior than what one might expect from someone who's only ever done this out of necessity. ]

Do you have any questions, or would you rather try the hands-on approach now?

[ Akechi overlooks Minato's work from up close, ready to chime in if he goes off track or needs a little help-- which, surprisingly, he doesn't. He didn't think someone who's only used to machine stitching could pick up on it so easily, but on the other hand, he had been in a sewing club before, so it makes sense.

But that question... ah. ]

I had someone instruct me at first, but I'm mostly self-taught. There are plenty of tutorials and blogs online that can teach you. It's really not that hard, as you can see for yourself.

[ That's a satisfying answer, isn't it? No need to overshare so soon! ]

[ WELL. To be fair, Akechi would probably be also really bad at video games, unless it's like. Professor Layton or strategy stuff. Guess they have more in common than they know?

But boy! This kid sure is very nosy, isn't he? There's only so much Akechi can reveal without going into personal territory, but: ]

Ah, mostly out of necessity, I suppose. There wasn't anyone I could keep asking to do minor repairs for me, so I decided to learn how to do it, myself.

[ It's important to look good! People will pay even less attention to you if you're an orphan and looking raggedy! ]

[ These stupid protags and their being nosy! They have to stop doing this!! ]

Hmm, it's no trouble. [ He dismisses the thanks with a smile, and for once, he's not being nice just for the sake of pleasing anyone, either; if anything, talking about he essentially raised himself, how he had to work hard to achieve everything he has... it makes him feel rather proud of himself, for a moment.

It's just not enough to offset the terrible decisions he's made later on. ]

Ah, but I see you're doing a good job with that sleeve! You learn fast, Arisato-kun.

[ Yeah, he's not... exactly proud of the murder thing, it's just. Too late to go back now. ]

Well, I'm glad. [ A small laugh. ] I suppose it must be because I taught myself how to do it, so it's easier to explain it to a fellow rookie.

[ No fancy terminology or anything! So he'll continue to supervise Minato's work, though in all honesty, it doesn't look like he's going to need much help at all. He's got the hang of it pretty fast. ]

So, you're used to working with your hands, huh? What other skills do you have, if you don't mind my asking?

Oh?

[ Hearing Minato just list his skills like that, Akechi gets distracted from the task at hand, a pair of eyebrows arching up. ]

That is, indeed, quite a lot of clubs, and an incredibly varied set of skills to have. You're rather impressive, Arisato-kun!

[ The power of Persona protags, probably! ]

[ Aw, that's sort of cute, seeing Minato try to act all modest about it-- and unlike Akechi, he does sound rather genuine about it, too. ]

That is a nice way of thinking, but there is such a thing as aptitude, you do realize? There is nothing wrong with acknowledging your own talents.

[ ... although maybe he should. Pay more attention to what he's doing instead of trying to deflect Akechi's praise, maybe?? ]

A-ah, Arisato-kun, your hand..!

[ He will do this to him, they are not done with this talk yet, young mister!! But they can save it for later because Minato is... doing a thing that he really shouldn't be doing, come on, boy, don't suck on a bloody finger... ]

Tiny prick or not, this needle is old and somewhat rusty, so it has likely been contaminated. At the very least, we should have it properly cleaned up and bandaged...!

[ This might be hard to do without a healing spell, though. Do they even have any soap left...? ]

[ We don't have any tetanus shots available, Minato, he is concerned!! But: ]

Wait, a... healing spell?

[ Okay, no obviously Akechi isn't a stranger to the concept of healing spells, but... Minato? Could it be...? ]

Arisato-kun, are you also someone with special skills...?

[ Har, indeed. ]

A Persona...?

[ But rather than this big reveal, it's the little bit that follows that actually catches his attention: "like a few other people here." Even assuming Minato knows about Akira and Yusuke, that's only two others, but... does that mean there are even more?

Well. He's going to habe to investigate this later, but for now: ]

What exactly do you mean?

[ Better make sure he's not lying about it, before deciding on his next course of action. ]

[ Well, yes, of course he knows that, but Minato isn't aware of the fact so he's going through unnecessary information. His choice of words does give him a little more credibility (really, mask metaphors? very appropriate.) but Akechi still needs more solid evidence before even considering taking the next step. ]

So you call upon your soul, and it manifests into a physical power, correct? [ Maybe he sounds a little too knowledgeable, but at the same time, it doesn't sound like a far-fetched conclusion to make, based on what Minato has revealed. ] That sounds... fascinating, really.

[ A pause, and he brings a hand to his chin, eyes averted in what seems to be a rather bashful act. ] I understand this may be very forward of me, but... would you mind showing me how that works? Detectives have a terrible habit of being too curious, haha...