There would be no relationship between them if he wasn't someone that could pick meaning out of the miniscule. Form connections out of staggered lines made from a honed blade, a sharper tongue.
But Akira is new to subterfuge and deception. Has more bonds forged than have ever been broken. Knows how to adjust, adapt and lie. Can manipulate and exploit as much as Akechi Goro.
Only one of them ended up affixed to a chair in a dingy room, bleeding from a hole in their skull. There's a limit to what Akira can do.
Akechi lets the conversation shift - an excuse bought for the moment. One he'll keep up for as long as necessary. Maruki clearly said nothing and-
Maruki. Maruki Takuto, who worked at Shujin Academy and had a strong relationship with a secret leader of the Phantom Thieves. Akechi knows through passing comments, allusions, memories of many realities converging into one. They've never spoken about Kurusu Akira, but Akechi can infer from a stumble in Akira's normally confident voice, notes the absence of a man who knew better than to leave them alone and would have only done so if-
Akechi once told him everyone had a limit. He almost wishes he could see what was happening. Take comfort in being right, as someone falls apart and collapses into rot.]
Maruki-san - [Repeated, slow. Assured. His eyes don't leave Akira. He'll get information like this - figure out where he's from like this.] Isn't someone I knew prior to being in this reality. Tokyo is massive, as you're well aware. It's impossible to confirm if he's from my world or not. However, after half a year with him, I have enough cause and reason to assume we do.
[And
Is this your first time meeting me?
Elicits a laugh - mirthless, at first. Feigned amusement after.]
And to your final question - in our reality, I recall meeting you. [Cautious. Careful. Give a little, take a lot.] While I may not know the exact circumstances prior to my arrival, we were well acquainted and spent time together on multiple occasions.
[His arms unfold and rest against his side. As if he's comfortable. As if they're digging into the truth out of the world, piece by piece, in a shitty little attic. As if he doesn't want to throw Akira against a wall and shoot until the Machiya is painted in shades of red.]
If I may go back - you seemed to hesitate at Maruki-san's name. I'm surprised - he claimed to be a counselor at Shujin Academy. I thought you would be well acquainted. [A pause, and-] Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. I have a bad habit of doing so.
cw: VIOLENT THOUGHTS - GOES TO BED EARLIER OUT OF SPITE, NEVER STOPS SLEEPING, NEVER RELENTS
There would be no relationship between them if he wasn't someone that could pick meaning out of the miniscule. Form connections out of staggered lines made from a honed blade, a sharper tongue.
But Akira is new to subterfuge and deception. Has more bonds forged than have ever been broken. Knows how to adjust, adapt and lie. Can manipulate and exploit as much as Akechi Goro.
Only one of them ended up affixed to a chair in a dingy room, bleeding from a hole in their skull. There's a limit to what Akira can do.
Akechi lets the conversation shift - an excuse bought for the moment. One he'll keep up for as long as necessary. Maruki clearly said nothing and-
Maruki. Maruki Takuto, who worked at Shujin Academy and had a strong relationship with a secret leader of the Phantom Thieves. Akechi knows through passing comments, allusions, memories of many realities converging into one. They've never spoken about Kurusu Akira, but Akechi can infer from a stumble in Akira's normally confident voice, notes the absence of a man who knew better than to leave them alone and would have only done so if-
Akechi once told him everyone had a limit. He almost wishes he could see what was happening. Take comfort in being right, as someone falls apart and collapses into rot.]
Maruki-san - [Repeated, slow. Assured. His eyes don't leave Akira. He'll get information like this - figure out where he's from like this.] Isn't someone I knew prior to being in this reality. Tokyo is massive, as you're well aware. It's impossible to confirm if he's from my world or not. However, after half a year with him, I have enough cause and reason to assume we do.
[And
Is this your first time meeting me?
Elicits a laugh - mirthless, at first. Feigned amusement after.]And to your final question - in our reality, I recall meeting you. [Cautious. Careful. Give a little, take a lot.] While I may not know the exact circumstances prior to my arrival, we were well acquainted and spent time together on multiple occasions.
[His arms unfold and rest against his side. As if he's comfortable. As if they're digging into the truth out of the world, piece by piece, in a shitty little attic. As if he doesn't want to throw Akira against a wall and shoot until the Machiya is painted in shades of red.]
If I may go back - you seemed to hesitate at Maruki-san's name. I'm surprised - he claimed to be a counselor at Shujin Academy. I thought you would be well acquainted. [A pause, and-] Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. I have a bad habit of doing so.