Persona 5 x persona 4

chapter 10

Yu pulled the car up to the doors of Torch and glanced at his partner. Because Yu was dropping Naoto off it was just easier for Yu to drive the two. It was only a few second ago that a pink BMW pulled off to find a parking spot from Yu's review mirror. Naoto took a deep breath and returned Yu's look. The nervousness was written all over her face but slowly started to fade as Naoto took deep calming breaths. Yu leaned against the steering wheel, letting Naoto take her time.

"Well I'm off." Naoto words were filled with conviction.

"Good luck." Yu offered.

"Thanks..." Naoto's word seemed distant as she stepped out of the car and onto the curb.

As soon as she shut the door to the SUV; the car turned over and headed out onto the Tokyo streets. Naoto watched it go until it rounded a corner and was out of view. Turning she headed into the restaurant. The vibe of the upscale restaurant was evident the second she stepped through the door, everything was color coated in gold or various shades of red. It was extravagant to say the least and even the waiters wore suits of red. After checking her coat into a coat check at the front of the building, she was told to head to the concierge. Quickly explaining who she was here to see Naoto was brought to a table in the back of the restaurant where Akechi was waiting.

Akechi was looking over several pieces of paperwork as Naoto approached, but as he caught her out of the corner of his eye he quickly got up. A smile appeared on his face. "I'm glad you could make it Naoto-senpai. Sorry I sure you understand a case is never far from the mind..."

At that comment Naoto felt she could relax a bit as she sat down at the table across from Akechi. She pulled up her bag so Akechi could see. "Far from mind? I don't think I've been less than 10 feet from these case files in the past four days."

Akechi laughed, it was an honest kind of laugh. "It would seem it's a character flaw we both suffer," Akechi collected the papers from the table and stacked them into a pile which he placed in his briefcase. "Anyways, sorry about all the pomp and circumstance. I've had reservations to this place already in place but figured I would enjoy a little company from one detective prince to another."

"I have to admit this is a nice change for me. If you hadn't asked me out here, I'd probably be on my computer looking up information about the case. Granted even as we talk now, my partner is still chasing leads." Naoto explained.

"Your partner... He's rather standoffish it seems." Akechi was smooth in his conversation transitions.

Naoto gave a light laugh, if only Akechi knew. "Yes he can very much be that way around new people he doesn't trust." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Yosuke and Rise take a table not too far away but behind Akechi.

"He also seems very young. I hate to admit, but I looked him up along with you. He's only a year older than you?" Akechi seemed to be fishing for more information.

"Yes, his uncle is actually the man that brought down Tohru Adachi. Being a detective like me runs in the family for him you could say. I met him on that case and we've been friends ever since." Naoto explained deciding not to stray from the honest truth.

"A family...?" A sad look crossed Akechi's face before he quickly recovered. "I also learned something interesting while looking him up, apparently he is dating an idol."

Well that could be a problem. News about Yu's relationship to Risette was public knowledge and the fact Risette was here and with another man could raise suspicions. Naoto had to think fast again honesty seemed like the best option. "Yes, Risette. I also know her personally, we are staying at her condo. She's here in Tokyo with us along with a few of our other friends."