Dissonant Harmony [G. Akechi x Reader]

sanjuunana

"Well? What's there left to do? We defeated your guard, and I don't think there's any way to negotiate our way out of this," I said, panting slightly.

Maruki's face darkened. "That seems to be the case, unfortunately." He looked between the two of us. "But first, an idea. Rather than explain it with words, I'd like you to actually see this new reality with your own eyes. . . I know your friends, Akira-kun, are already enjoying it."

"Hand her over," Akira projected, completely ignoring Maruki's prodding.

"That, I cannot do. As I said before, she wishes to live in a reality where she is Kasumi. Don't worry about her. Go, look at the reality I've created for you all. Once you've seen the results, I know you'll realize which future is best."

"I really love your projecting, don't you Akira?" I quipped. Turning back towards the Doctor, I added, "So we're just going to agree to this?"

"I apologize," he said for the millionth time, "but you really are going through with this- even if it's by force."

The world turned staticky, lines flashing like an old television that had lost its station. Maruki and Yoshizawa were gone in a flash.

Over the speakers above, Maruki continued his preaching. "We'll meet again. . . one week from today. I genuinely pray that you'll change your mind by then."

Checking the time, I cursed under my breath and ran for the subway, leaving a slightly confused Akira behind. Apologies will come later when dinner's not on the line. Mashing down on a familiar contact and throwing the phone up to my ear, I awaited an answer.

"Where the hell have you been!?" Akechi asked. I could hear a slight tapping of his foot, which means it really wasn't quiet at all. "We were supposed to leave five minutes ago!"

Through panting breaths, I ignored his comments and said, "Meet me. . . at that station stop. . . We can walk together. . . from there."

"Are you sprinting?"

"Maybe," I wheezed out. Sliding through the turnstile, I was barely able to make it onto the train headed in the right direction without being left behind. I slumped into the first open chair and turned my focus back to the phone call. "If this train doesn't die, give me ten minutes."

"See you then," He responded sweetly, before hanging up.

Man, it's been a long time since I heard him speak that way. . .

With all that had happened this afternoon, I had forgotten about the occurrences of this morning.

He's happy. . . am I really going to take that from him because I'm selfish?

The brown mop-headed man stood out in the crowd, and I raced towards him, a smile on my face, leaving the bigger questions behind. Tackling him into a big hug, he smiled brightly in return.

"Feeling better than this morning?" Akechi asked with a chuckle.

I nodded. "Sorry for the holdup. . . It's just, something came up that I needed to handle."

"And you got it all worked out?"

"Sort of. Nothing to worry about right now, anyways."

"Well," Akechi spread an arm wide, "shall we?"

After a brisk walk across town, we arrived in front of a small home I didn't recognize. I just smiled through it all, though, as three kids pounded the way to the front door in excitement. A woman yelled at them from across the house not to run as the door swung wide open.