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[Antithetical? He thinks it, yet he doesn't ask about it. Not for now, at least.]
No, I don't mind. I'd like to help if I can. I'm not sure if I'm the best equipped for it, since I have about as much technological experience as the average high schooler...
[It aches through him, as it always seems to at the most unexpected of times. If it weren't him that had been chosen... If it was Futaba that was here... Undoubtedly, she would be able to be the support that they need. She would know what to do.
But it isn't her here. It's Akira.]
...but I'm aware our options are limited. If there's anything I can learn that will help, I'll do it.
[He's a fast learner, and he doesn't quit easily. Whatever they need, he'll figure it out and make it happen. There doesn't need to be an unnecessary death if he can prevent it.]
No, I don't mind. I'd like to help if I can. I'm not sure if I'm the best equipped for it, since I have about as much technological experience as the average high schooler...
[It aches through him, as it always seems to at the most unexpected of times. If it weren't him that had been chosen... If it was Futaba that was here... Undoubtedly, she would be able to be the support that they need. She would know what to do.
But it isn't her here. It's Akira.]
...but I'm aware our options are limited. If there's anything I can learn that will help, I'll do it.
[He's a fast learner, and he doesn't quit easily. Whatever they need, he'll figure it out and make it happen. There doesn't need to be an unnecessary death if he can prevent it.]
Someone taught me what I'm making for both of you now, too. There are small ways that it becomes yours, even if it doesn't look that way at first.
[A smile cast over his shoulder, small but true. Back when Sojiro taught him... Maybe he said things like that, too.]
Next time we get together, you can make it for us. I'd like to try your cooking, too.
[Cooking should be shared, so I'd like to share it with you. That's what he'd said to Izutsumi. That's what he feels here, too.
He isn't good with words, or wanting things for himself - except for the times that emotion gets away from him. But this, here, is something that he can do. He can share the meal that he knows best with the two people who frighten him with how quickly they cause him to spill what's in his heart.
It's a recipe that was taught to him by someone that put love and hope into every plate, and sharing that... Well. It's the least that Akira can do.]
[A smile cast over his shoulder, small but true. Back when Sojiro taught him... Maybe he said things like that, too.]
Next time we get together, you can make it for us. I'd like to try your cooking, too.
[Cooking should be shared, so I'd like to share it with you. That's what he'd said to Izutsumi. That's what he feels here, too.
He isn't good with words, or wanting things for himself - except for the times that emotion gets away from him. But this, here, is something that he can do. He can share the meal that he knows best with the two people who frighten him with how quickly they cause him to spill what's in his heart.
It's a recipe that was taught to him by someone that put love and hope into every plate, and sharing that... Well. It's the least that Akira can do.]
Upon your doorstep/mailbox/table or whatever! However delivery in this world works. The details don’t matter.
Before you is a gift, chocolate, and a letter.
“Dear Akira Kurusu,
My preparations are complete. All clear on my end.
I’ve prayed for victory and will gladly put my life on the line for it.
Whenever you are ready, make the first move and call for me.
I await your determination to have a fair one-on-one duel.
The challenge is the best match out of three.
Track & Field.
Basketball.
Karaoke.
From,
Hakuno Kishinami
P.S. It would make me happy if you accepted my gifts. ”
Despite how manly this “Challenge Letter” is, it’s not a challenge letter but an invitation to hang out. Hakuno Kishinami might have just psyched herself a bit too much. She might just end up embarrassing herself later down the road, so please just play along with her.
This was the first time she had ever given out chocolate, so she decided to make it memorable.
Despite how over the top this might be.
[ Akira Kurusu received a Gucci(?) glasses case & a kitkat. ]
Before you is a gift, chocolate, and a letter.
“Dear Akira Kurusu,
My preparations are complete. All clear on my end.
I’ve prayed for victory and will gladly put my life on the line for it.
Whenever you are ready, make the first move and call for me.
I await your determination to have a fair one-on-one duel.
The challenge is the best match out of three.
Track & Field.
Basketball.
Karaoke.
From,
Hakuno Kishinami
P.S. It would make me happy if you accepted my gifts. ”
Despite how manly this “Challenge Letter” is, it’s not a challenge letter but an invitation to hang out. Hakuno Kishinami might have just psyched herself a bit too much. She might just end up embarrassing herself later down the road, so please just play along with her.
This was the first time she had ever given out chocolate, so she decided to make it memorable.
Despite how over the top this might be.
[ Akira Kurusu received a Gucci(?) glasses case & a kitkat. ]
[ It isn't difficult for Maruki to put together. Back in the true reality, his Akira never told him, but– Leblanc served curry, and Sakura Sojiro once tried to kick him out before his daughter(?) stopped him. He must have taught Akira, in every reality. That's heartening to think about... ]
I agree. I'd like that too.
And then, when it's my turn... could I teach you both how to cook something?
I agree. I'd like that too.
And then, when it's my turn... could I teach you both how to cook something?
[ his brow knits closer to the metal half of his face. there is a sense of earnest confusion on his face as he grapples with those words. there are small ways that it becomes yours. maybe that's true for other people. but not for dolph. not when his desires, his self was so enmeshed with alex's.
one only had to look at club quartz for that. a replica of club prism, where he first met alex.
everything is just . . . a copy. a weak attempt to hold onto a person's interest. to be human inside. he looks down at his hands. fake and real, side by side. easy to tell apart when you look at him. so much harder to figure out. ]
If you like. I'm not sure . . . there's anything to get out of it. I'm not even sure that you can.
one only had to look at club quartz for that. a replica of club prism, where he first met alex.
everything is just . . . a copy. a weak attempt to hold onto a person's interest. to be human inside. he looks down at his hands. fake and real, side by side. easy to tell apart when you look at him. so much harder to figure out. ]
If you like. I'm not sure . . . there's anything to get out of it. I'm not even sure that you can.
[It's a pose Akira knows - in his dreams, in his nightmares, in his passing thoughts.
Akechi won't be goaded to steal first move. Not by anything that Akira's actually willing to do. He knows this, as he knows he must be the one to strike first. He keeps circling. It would be smarter to strike from the back, the sides - but he won't do that, either.
It's not how he does things. Not how they do things.
Because they both know what this fight is for. They have no need to hide themselves behind anything anymore.]
I wouldn't have it any other way.
[He comes to a stop at the front of him. He has a basic guesstimation of what Akechi might use without his Personas now, but there was never anywhere else he'd come at him from.]
Because this is what we're meant for.
[This what I've waited for.
And I'll never lose it again.]
I'll never be weaker than when I stand before you.
[Together, they will fight.
Together, they will live and breathe. They will laugh and their mouths may meet.
And I'll never be stronger anywhere else.
[At once, his gifted dagger is in his hand. He spins it only once.
I'll never lose you again.
His world narrows down to Akechi Goro, thoughts shutting down as others work faster than ever before. Hi feet launch him forward, heavier than the Metaverse but still true, and his blade is up and catching the light.
GUARD, or be CUT DOWN.]
Akechi won't be goaded to steal first move. Not by anything that Akira's actually willing to do. He knows this, as he knows he must be the one to strike first. He keeps circling. It would be smarter to strike from the back, the sides - but he won't do that, either.
It's not how he does things. Not how they do things.
Because they both know what this fight is for. They have no need to hide themselves behind anything anymore.]
I wouldn't have it any other way.
[He comes to a stop at the front of him. He has a basic guesstimation of what Akechi might use without his Personas now, but there was never anywhere else he'd come at him from.]
Because this is what we're meant for.
[This what I've waited for.
And I'll never lose it again.]
I'll never be weaker than when I stand before you.
[Together, they will fight.
Together, they will live and breathe. They will laugh and their mouths may meet.
Together, they will die.]
And I'll never be stronger anywhere else.
[At once, his gifted dagger is in his hand. He spins it only once.
His world narrows down to Akechi Goro, thoughts shutting down as others work faster than ever before. Hi feet launch him forward, heavier than the Metaverse but still true, and his blade is up and catching the light.
Akira, are you okay? Does your stomach hurt? Is your throat okay?
Are your glasses still on your face?
Did my chocolate do this to you? I'm so sorry, I swear I didn't open the wrapper!
[ Oh sweet Hakuno, it wasn't you. It was the world but she doesn't know that. ]
Are your glasses still on your face?
Did my chocolate do this to you? I'm so sorry, I swear I didn't open the wrapper!
[ Oh sweet Hakuno, it wasn't you. It was the world but she doesn't know that. ]
[ Thank god this is texting. Otherwise, Hakuno will give you the longest and most judgemental stare of your life! Anyway! ]
Is that so? That's a relief.
It just happened after I gave chocolate to everybody, and everybody I know so far is coughing out flowers.
(っ◞‸◟ c)
You have to be careful when you meet with people. Spring is coming soon, but that is when all of the illness comes out too.
Is that so? That's a relief.
It just happened after I gave chocolate to everybody, and everybody I know so far is coughing out flowers.
(っ◞‸◟ c)
You have to be careful when you meet with people. Spring is coming soon, but that is when all of the illness comes out too.
[ Dazai shakes his head. ]
Even if you were an expert in the field, you would struggle. It is akin to both learning another language and studying an alien biology... But we have people here who can fill in the gaps that you and I leave. But you are willing to act, and that is of far more use.
[ He has no doubt that Akira could learn to code as well, and surely he might try, but it changes nothing if he doesn't. He takes another sip of his coffee, closing his eyes briefly as he considers what it is he wants to say, before opening them once more. ]
You have something like an emergency stop button, or perhaps you could call it a pause button... If you can at least press it, then others will have time to act. And if they're unable to...
[ Dazai takes another slow sip, then sets his cup down. ]
Death is a type of hard reset.
Even if you were an expert in the field, you would struggle. It is akin to both learning another language and studying an alien biology... But we have people here who can fill in the gaps that you and I leave. But you are willing to act, and that is of far more use.
[ He has no doubt that Akira could learn to code as well, and surely he might try, but it changes nothing if he doesn't. He takes another sip of his coffee, closing his eyes briefly as he considers what it is he wants to say, before opening them once more. ]
You have something like an emergency stop button, or perhaps you could call it a pause button... If you can at least press it, then others will have time to act. And if they're unable to...
[ Dazai takes another slow sip, then sets his cup down. ]
Death is a type of hard reset.
It's just unfortunate timing, I think. Nearly everyone I know was either giving chocolate or receiving it from someone.
That's true about spring, though. There are all sorts of allergies and sicknesses people have to contend with normally, and this is a foreign environment for so many of us. At this rate, springtime may be an even bigger challenge than usual.
[Could it be from the non-natives being visitors to this reality...? He'll have to do some investigating when he has a little more strength and find out if the locals are also being affected by this.]
That's true about spring, though. There are all sorts of allergies and sicknesses people have to contend with normally, and this is a foreign environment for so many of us. At this rate, springtime may be an even bigger challenge than usual.
[Could it be from the non-natives being visitors to this reality...? He'll have to do some investigating when he has a little more strength and find out if the locals are also being affected by this.]
[His eyebrows climb, but only for a moment. He can't be certain, not completely - but Akira can take a calculated guess. He can reach for the words that he thinks could be the right ones.]
Let me ask you something.
[Cumin, cardamom, clove. His hands know what to do, even as his lips move. His head turns completely from the pot.]
Do you like seeing Maruki-sensei smile?
[Simple, but utterly direct. Akira doesn't mention anything about himself, even though Dolph has left him feeling like part of his soul has been scooped out. He knows which of these three he can say, without a doubt, are friends. He doesn't say anything else, either; he waits to see what either of them will say.]
Let me ask you something.
[Cumin, cardamom, clove. His hands know what to do, even as his lips move. His head turns completely from the pot.]
Do you like seeing Maruki-sensei smile?
[Simple, but utterly direct. Akira doesn't mention anything about himself, even though Dolph has left him feeling like part of his soul has been scooped out. He knows which of these three he can say, without a doubt, are friends. He doesn't say anything else, either; he waits to see what either of them will say.]
[ Well, now. Where the hell is this going.
Maruki's eyes stay trained on Akira's, brows raised, and something very much like pride in his gaze.
Akira has always been good at cutting to the heart of the matter. In another life, they questioned one another about cognitive concepts. In this one–
He turns his head toward Dolph then, props his chin up on one hand. Waits to hear the answer. ]
Maruki's eyes stay trained on Akira's, brows raised, and something very much like pride in his gaze.
Akira has always been good at cutting to the heart of the matter. In another life, they questioned one another about cognitive concepts. In this one–
He turns his head toward Dolph then, props his chin up on one hand. Waits to hear the answer. ]
[ sir, you are getting elbowed. lightly, but prominently elbowed. dolph huffs after that, pushing some of his hair away from his face before giving akira a long, inscrutable look. ]
Yeah, I do. If you say the magic of my cooking does that, I'm gonna walk straight out.
Yeah, I do. If you say the magic of my cooking does that, I'm gonna walk straight out.
[It's so unexpected that Akira snorts before he can hold it back.]
Not exactly like that, no.
[Any joking edge to his voice slips away quick enough, turns soft again.]
If there's any magic anywhere, it's the smile itself and how you feel when you see it. [Coriander, black pepper. Has hand passes over the cinnamon and plucks up the nutmeg instead. Not this time.] It doesn't matter if someone else can make the food better. It doesn't matter what you think you can or can't do. There will always be worth in what your hands make.
[Akira gives Dolph a long look, before it breaks into a smile again.
"Is it... important to you?"
"You could said that. There's a customer I'm waiting on."]
Never let anyone steal the joy of putting a smile on the face of someone you like. Not even yourself.
Not exactly like that, no.
[Any joking edge to his voice slips away quick enough, turns soft again.]
If there's any magic anywhere, it's the smile itself and how you feel when you see it. [Coriander, black pepper. Has hand passes over the cinnamon and plucks up the nutmeg instead. Not this time.] It doesn't matter if someone else can make the food better. It doesn't matter what you think you can or can't do. There will always be worth in what your hands make.
[Akira gives Dolph a long look, before it breaks into a smile again.
"Is it... important to you?"
"You could said that. There's a customer I'm waiting on."]
Never let anyone steal the joy of putting a smile on the face of someone you like. Not even yourself.
It really is, now nobody can enjoy chocolate in peace. What a cruel world. So evil.
Maybe we should be looking into vaccines and investing in gas masks.
[ Calm down Hakuno Kishinami. ]
Do you think there's stylish gas masks out there?
Maybe we should be looking into vaccines and investing in gas masks.
[ Calm down Hakuno Kishinami. ]
Do you think there's stylish gas masks out there?
[With Maruki-
And it's different with Kurusu.cut down by a daring thief and he wants to-rip Joker apart When he mistakenly thinks victory is seized.
No persona. Doesn't matter. Akechi guards with a vile laugh, streaks of vivid blue crawling up his body - he could summon Robin Hood here. Akira knows. He could summon Loki here. Akira knows.
He doesn't. He makes an attempt to parry Akira's dagger and if successful, makes a downward swipe with his own towards his shoulder - Robin Hood at the cusp of his heart, ready to attack, ready to be summoned, resting on the tip of his tongue.] Don't tell me you made me wait all this time just to swipe at me with a pathetic little knife? Stop screwing around and show me that power you've been graced with. Take this opportunity to show off, Joker.
They're inherently inequal. The power of an unchecked god lies within that man's soul. Eden thrives under him, souls and lives held in the palm of his hand.
The only time Akechi has felled him is with his own two hands, with surprise assaults.
And it's different with Kurusu.
They're inherently equal. Always toeing the line - Akechi's more experienced, stronger, faster.
Akira's adaptable, unpredictable and wild.
A chill crawls up his spine, hackles raise, heart beating fast because this is all he wanted, this is what he craved, this was his only regret in that disgusting cellar that holds the corpse of someone. Akechi killed Akira with his own hand - a smoking gun with an all too light trigger under his finger.
He wanted more.
He wanted this.
He wants to be
No persona. Doesn't matter. Akechi guards with a vile laugh, streaks of vivid blue crawling up his body - he could summon Robin Hood here. Akira knows. He could summon Loki here. Akira knows.
He doesn't. He makes an attempt to parry Akira's dagger and if successful, makes a downward swipe with his own towards his shoulder - Robin Hood at the cusp of his heart, ready to attack, ready to be summoned, resting on the tip of his tongue.] Don't tell me you made me wait all this time just to swipe at me with a pathetic little knife? Stop screwing around and show me that power you've been graced with. Take this opportunity to show off, Joker.
[ There's nothing less than pure, profound pride shining from every inch of Maruki at that little speech.
That's Kurusu Akira. That's his guiding light. To think that he ever thought he couldn't measure up to the boy that Maruki knew...
His eyes shine on Akira's for a long moment before he tips his head to look at Dolph. ]
Do you see why he and I have always gotten along so well?
That's Kurusu Akira. That's his guiding light. To think that he ever thought he couldn't measure up to the boy that Maruki knew...
His eyes shine on Akira's for a long moment before he tips his head to look at Dolph. ]
Do you see why he and I have always gotten along so well?
[ where do you start with that?
his hands, as if one wasn't a weapon. his weakness and his power. a door into his head. his metal hand, stained. the property of a corporation that dictated his life. dictated what his hands are for. if you hated it so much, then just give it back lucy had said derisively. this hand of his had killed her. killed jade. killed alex.
perhaps it's easier to think about stolen joys. all I ever wanted was this he told the illusion of alex on the beach, then you had to go fuck it up. but that hadn't been his fault. it wasn't his fault he had to stop loving alex. it wasn't his fault that he couldn't when it's all he ever wanted to do.
so. where to start with this? he doesn't know. he gets the point of it. dolph is his own enemy. everyone's got their own enemy in them. he saw akira's enemy within him not long ago, when he asked for the promise.
he gives a light huff. ]
Yeah, I see it.
[ with a touch of apologetic contriteness for his words, dolph meets akira's gaze. ]
Sorry. But all that stuff was stolen from me long ago. I couldn't tell you what anything is worth. And I know fuck all about joy.
All I'm doing is making it up as I go along. And hope for the best.
his hands, as if one wasn't a weapon. his weakness and his power. a door into his head. his metal hand, stained. the property of a corporation that dictated his life. dictated what his hands are for. if you hated it so much, then just give it back lucy had said derisively. this hand of his had killed her. killed jade. killed alex.
perhaps it's easier to think about stolen joys. all I ever wanted was this he told the illusion of alex on the beach, then you had to go fuck it up. but that hadn't been his fault. it wasn't his fault he had to stop loving alex. it wasn't his fault that he couldn't when it's all he ever wanted to do.
so. where to start with this? he doesn't know. he gets the point of it. dolph is his own enemy. everyone's got their own enemy in them. he saw akira's enemy within him not long ago, when he asked for the promise.
he gives a light huff. ]
Yeah, I see it.
[ with a touch of apologetic contriteness for his words, dolph meets akira's gaze. ]
Sorry. But all that stuff was stolen from me long ago. I couldn't tell you what anything is worth. And I know fuck all about joy.
All I'm doing is making it up as I go along. And hope for the best.
[Akechi's laugh, Akechi's words - they rattle through his bones with so much nostalgia that he thinks his vision blurs.
Akechi.
Blades catch and sing against one another, a symphony that his brain remembers the dance steps to.
I waited to see you for so long.
Blue flickers at his feet, flame ready to take, a soul remembering how to rebel.
I wanted this for so long.
It doesn't matter how much time passes between summoning his Persona, or how long it's been since he clashed with Akechi Goro completely unrestrained.
I buried it down so far, but it still... never changed how much I missed you.
It doesn't matter if the playing field is different. It doesn't matter if they're different, because one thing will always remain the same. Kurusu Akira will always, always
be trapped by the weakness of his own heart.]
Ghk-!
[The flame at his feet cuts off, and red paints the ground at their feet.
His hand goes up to staunch the blood rushing from the wound, but Akira knows it's deep. It burns as he holds it. It's my right side, too. Goddamn it.
He has to hurry, now. Akira has no way to heal, and that means he's on a time limit. Beneath his fingers, he can feel his life beating away.
He should be worried - and he is. He should feel his veins fill with adrenaline, fear, animal instinct - and they do.
But it's everything that he wants, and that's why he can grin, wild and manic and without a single chain holding him down. The one that stands before Akechi Goro is Joker.]
If you wanted to lose so quick, Crow- [The grin doesn't falter. The blue resparks and swirls.] -all you had to do was ask me nicely.
[A god has wiped him out of people's minds before. He's had to make a victory out of a complete and total defeat. Akira has made something out of nothing.
He won't lose now, even if he has to drag his body mangled and bleeding across the ground to land the final blow.]
Come, Arséne!
[And there, at his back, he's here.
His soul is here, a laugh echoing whispers of dragging the enemy down to their demise. Akira hasn't been parted from him as long as he was before, but it still feels like a puzzle piece clicking back into place. And just in time, because they have no choice but to give it their all if they're going to survive.
The timer starts now.]
Blades catch and sing against one another, a symphony that his brain remembers the dance steps to.
Blue flickers at his feet, flame ready to take, a soul remembering how to rebel.
It doesn't matter how much time passes between summoning his Persona, or how long it's been since he clashed with Akechi Goro completely unrestrained.
It doesn't matter if the playing field is different. It doesn't matter if they're different, because one thing will always remain the same. Kurusu Akira will always, always
Ghk-!
[The flame at his feet cuts off, and red paints the ground at their feet.
His hand goes up to staunch the blood rushing from the wound, but Akira knows it's deep. It burns as he holds it. It's my right side, too. Goddamn it.
He has to hurry, now. Akira has no way to heal, and that means he's on a time limit. Beneath his fingers, he can feel his life beating away.
He should be worried - and he is. He should feel his veins fill with adrenaline, fear, animal instinct - and they do.
But it's everything that he wants, and that's why he can grin, wild and manic and without a single chain holding him down. The one that stands before Akechi Goro is Joker.]
If you wanted to lose so quick, Crow- [The grin doesn't falter. The blue resparks and swirls.] -all you had to do was ask me nicely.
[A god has wiped him out of people's minds before. He's had to make a victory out of a complete and total defeat. Akira has made something out of nothing.
He won't lose now, even if he has to drag his body mangled and bleeding across the ground to land the final blow.]
Come, Arséne!
[And there, at his back, he's here.
His soul is here, a laugh echoing whispers of dragging the enemy down to their demise. Akira hasn't been parted from him as long as he was before, but it still feels like a puzzle piece clicking back into place. And just in time, because they have no choice but to give it their all if they're going to survive.
The timer starts now.]
I have to wonder if there's gas masks here at all. Would they be too modern for this place?
Even if there's not, though, there's probably nothing stopping you from wishing for a gas mask at the crystal. If it goes well, it might even be a stylish one.
Even if there's not, though, there's probably nothing stopping you from wishing for a gas mask at the crystal. If it goes well, it might even be a stylish one.
[This is his Joker.
This is his Kurusu Akira - the one who ignites with the same fierce determination in the midst of challenge. The one that exists in his peripheral vision, in all parts of life, beyond death. Kurusu Akira is here and he's the one that makes the first brutal clash.
And it's Kurusu Akira who bleeds. It's Kurusu Akira that reels from the vicious attack that paints everything, drowns everything, leaves pinprick splatters on his shirt. It's Kurusu Akira that mirrors the same manic glee Akechi can feel pulling at the edge of his lips, every word tugging, teasing, shredding the veneer of perfection between them.
Akechi Goro was meant to be perfect. Born to be perfect. Tore himself free of rot to be perfect and-
Akechi Kurusu was meant to be perfect. Born to be great. Tore himself from the chains that bound him down. Didn't. Wasn't. Stands tall - reckless, wild, and-
Free.
And Akechi Goro is a reflection of it. Akechi Goro is free with the flowing red taking over Akira's body, Akechi's own vision. In a mark left by him, one that will remain, one he'll rip open again and again as a reminder of the vast difference between them that exists - a gap formed from Akira's mercy and Akechi's cruelty.
is Joker. is Crow. is
The Akechi Goro he wants this Kurusu Akira to see. The only match for Arséne. The only clash of will that matters.]
Manifest, Loki!
[He's free. Completely free. A heart running wild, beating beating beating. A heart unchained, unbound and all he can think about-
Is ripping the carbon copy in front of him to shreds. Tearing his skin with clawed armor Akechi no longer has access too, but the knife clutched in his grip will do. And he's sure Akira will smile. He thinks Akira will smile. Akechi doesn't give a shit if Akira smiles - hopes he can see it twist with every slice of his blade, watch joy turn to agony, know that Maruki will have to pick up the pieces of Kurusu Akira in this fucking field.
Attack Master ignites his heart. Body poised to lurch forward at the smallest opening-
At any opening-
Now with a too light push against the ground, with his blade tossed between his hands, from right to left, and ready to arc down on an already gaping wound. Laevateinn as the follow up, whether Akira dodges or not.]
You won't survive this time - I'll make sure of it. With my own two hands, I'll crush you until there's nothing left! I'll massacre you!
This is his Kurusu Akira - the one who ignites with the same fierce determination in the midst of challenge. The one that exists in his peripheral vision, in all parts of life, beyond death. Kurusu Akira is here and he's the one that makes the first brutal clash.
And it's Kurusu Akira who bleeds. It's Kurusu Akira that reels from the vicious attack that paints everything, drowns everything, leaves pinprick splatters on his shirt. It's Kurusu Akira that mirrors the same manic glee Akechi can feel pulling at the edge of his lips, every word tugging, teasing, shredding the veneer of perfection between them.
Akechi Goro was meant to be perfect. Born to be perfect. Tore himself free of rot to be perfect and-
Akechi Kurusu was meant to be perfect. Born to be great. Tore himself from the chains that bound him down. Didn't. Wasn't. Stands tall - reckless, wild, and-
And Akechi Goro is a reflection of it. Akechi Goro is free with the flowing red taking over Akira's body, Akechi's own vision. In a mark left by him, one that will remain, one he'll rip open again and again as a reminder of the vast difference between them that exists - a gap formed from Akira's mercy and Akechi's cruelty.
Arséne
Robin Hood
Loki
The Akechi Goro he wants this Kurusu Akira to see. The only match for Arséne. The only clash of will that matters.]
Manifest, Loki!
[He's free. Completely free. A heart running wild, beating beating beating. A heart unchained, unbound and all he can think about-
Is ripping the carbon copy in front of him to shreds. Tearing his skin with clawed armor Akechi no longer has access too, but the knife clutched in his grip will do. And he's sure Akira will smile. He thinks Akira will smile. Akechi doesn't give a shit if Akira smiles - hopes he can see it twist with every slice of his blade, watch joy turn to agony, know that Maruki will have to pick up the pieces of Kurusu Akira in this fucking field.
Attack Master ignites his heart. Body poised to lurch forward at the smallest opening-
At any opening-
Now with a too light push against the ground, with his blade tossed between his hands, from right to left, and ready to arc down on an already gaping wound. Laevateinn as the follow up, whether Akira dodges or not.]
You won't survive this time - I'll make sure of it. With my own two hands, I'll crush you until there's nothing left! I'll massacre you!
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