doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

[ Yup, time for more lies! ]

Back home, I've been called an ace detective, because of my ability to solve cases even the police weren't able to. People rely on me to find the truth, yet this time I was completely blind to it. I don't think this is being too hard on myself, when I feel like I have failed not only my teammates, but all those people, as well.

[Somehow, it doesn't really feel like that explained anything at all.. Minato's processing the words, but where in there does that talk about Akechi's own feelings, instead of just what's expected of him?]

I guess I don't really understand. Sorry if I'm just being a little too slow.

But I still don't understand how you feel about all of this. Not...about other people. Just you yourself.

[ Um, but he has? Are all Persona protags so pushy?? ]

Feeling like I have failed other people isn't just about them or their expectations of me, though. It is about myself, as well. My reasoning and logic are my strongest suits; without them, there's very little else I can offer.

[ Well. Questioning his self-worth is... not entirely a lie... ]

[Yes, duh.]

I see... [He doesn't, but he really doesn't know Akechi well enough to push. It still feels like there's more there, but he really has no idea what it could possibly be.

... Well, doesn't that just mean he has to get to know Akechi better?

Still, there's one point he just can't quite let go.]

Have you asked Ichinose-san and Ryoji if they feel like you failed them?

[ Gotta work on that social link a little harder, Minato. ]

I haven't. But as much as I respect their opinion, I don't think it would make me feel any different either way.

[This is progress.

Slow...slow progress.]

I'm sorry to say it, but... that seems a little selfish to me, Akechi-san. Deciding for them that you failed them, without letting them have their say... I don't think that's very fair.

[And most of all... he doesn't think either Ryoji or Guren would let Akechi continue to believe that.]

[ Very... very slow... progress... ]

This isn't about deciding for them. It's true they might think otherwise, out of kindness or sympathy, but ultimately, if you're asking me about my personal feelings, I can never give you a fully objective and unbiased answer.

[ However... ]

Since you seem so persistent on the matter, though, would it appease you if I asked them?

[There are some...Things, that make him wonder about Akechi. He doesn't know enough about him, and he can't come up with anything concrete.

But... even so, why is this about appeasing Minato, exactly? When was the last time Akechi did something for his own sake? He's...curious, now.

But he's pushed far enough for today.]

I'd appreciate it, yeah. I think that you might be surprised by what they have to say.

[As for Minato... he needs to learn more about Akechi, doesn't he? Now... now, he thinks he really, really needs to.]

[ The last time Akechi did something for his own sake? Save for his plans for revenge, then possibly not since he was a very small child. Too long ago. ]

I don't know about being surprised, since I don't believe they will blame me. I even remember Guren-san took full responsibility for it, at the time. But I will ask them, and listen to whatever they have to say. It is the least I can do.

Besides, I do wish to return Mochizuki-kun's scarf, as well. It was very kind of him, but I'm sure he must want it back by now.

[... Good for Ryoji. Even hurting, he was that sort of kind, generous soul, right...? Minato can't help but feel incredibly proud of him.]

I'm still grateful for it. Thank you, Akechi-san. And thank you for talking with me, too.

There's no need to thank me. If anything, shouldn't I be the one to thank you for checking in on me? Even though we have barely just met...

[ And since Minato seems so keen on getting some truths out of him, Akechi supposes he can offer him this much: ]

Besides, I know this may sound strange, but you feel somewhat familiar to me. I'm not sure why.

[... Huh. Somewhat familiar, is it? Somehow, he almost feels like he's been told that before, but when he reaches for the memory, he can't grasp it at all.

...Strange.

Regardless:]

I don't really know why, but I'm kind of glad to hear that anyway. I'd like to keep getting to know you better, at least, if I can.

I would like that, too. I feel like we could have interesting conversations.

Besides, it's not just about anyone who has the guts to call me selfish to my face, haha.

[ Rank 1 unlocked?? ]

[A brand new Justice Social Link, oh boy...!!

I am thou, thou art I, etc etc.

... And he doesn't really regret saying that to Akechi, though maybe it was a bit blunt. Oh well. (It's because he doesn't have a guts stat at all.)]

I was just worried, that's all. Sorry if it was kind of rude, though.

Oh, I don't mind it. If anything, I appreciate it. People my own age don't usually approach me like this, so it's not often I get the chance to have an actual discussion with a peer. This feels more natural, somehow.

[ Even if he still doesn't get why this guy would be worried about him, to begin with. Protags confuse him, man. ]

[Protags always gotta protag, Akechi. Better get used to it.

Anyway it's good Akechi isn't offended because he's going to keep being this way anyway.]

They don't? Why not? You seem pretty approachable to me.

[ How very troublesome! But that's okay, that's how we do ranking up in this household. ]

Because of my job. I have made a few TV appearances to discuss my latest cases, and for some reason that seems to have earned me some popularity. As a result, I have become something of a local celebrity... I suppose most people find that intimidating.

[Oh... huh. That's... interesting. He hadn't realized, but--]

It's impressive that you've been able to do something like that, but... it sounds kind of lonely that people don't want to approach you because of that.

[Hmmmm... what can he do about it? Nothing but--]

I'll keep being that way with you, then. Sorry if it ends up being troublesome, but that's what I've decided on.

[Surely, dealing with a nagging pest is better than dealing with loneliness.]

[ Lonely, huh? Well, he can't deny that. All that attention, the praise, even the love from his fans, it's all a lie. They would never love him, if they knew the truth about him.

But this guy seems to have picked up on it so quickly, and over text, too? What is up with him...? ]

Keep being that way? You mean... standing up to me?

[Nothing. He is but a normal highschooler.]

And pestering you about your health and well-being, and checking up on you...

Treating you like a normal person, in other words.

[ Yes, of course. Just like Akechi, two perfectly normal highschoolers. ]

That... sounds a little bit like a mother hen, actually.

[ But, hm. Treating him like a normal person, huh? The only place where he can usually feel like this is Leblanc, and he obviously doesn't currently have access to that, so... ]

But I would like that. I suppose it would be quite the next experience for me.

[Exactly.]

I've heard from a very trustworthy source that I tend to come across as the Mom Friend, yeah.

[Thanks Dave.]

In that case, then... when you're not busy, would you mind doing something with me?

[ That actually earns the tiniest laugh from Akechi, not that Minato can hear it. A Mom Friend, huh...? ]

Doing something? Do you have something specific in mind?

I do, actually. How do you feel about helping me out with a little project? Sorry we can't go to the arcade or anything here, but we can try to make do.

[Maybe they can still like. Have a normal hang out session.]

[ Akechi's only hang out session was being taken to church to confess his sins, so... anything would be fine....... ]

I'm not much of an arcade person, so that's not a problem with me. If there's anything I can do for your project, though, I would be glad to assist you. Would you mind telling me some more?

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