You Were The Path I Chose | A Goro Akechi Romance

#RANK 4: Music for the Soul

... In which Akechi brings me to the Jazz Club in Kichijoji for an unforgettable evening and grants me a first and much-desired glimpse at a more intimate side of himself.

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I'm not sure what expectations I had for my summer break, but at least I'm catching a breather. I eye the couple of guests who still linger in Leblanc at this hour; there are more people here during the summer than usual, but it would still feel lonely if I didn't have friends to spend my summer with.

We Phantom Thieves have been doing a lot of group activities recently, and I can't say I'm not enjoying it a lot. Darts and billiards—I'm practicing, just in case. Amusement parks, food, shopping . . . I never thought I could actually enjoy being with a group of people for a longer time. I've always been a loner—the girl who doesn't speak and doesn't want to be spoken to—yet I've since come to understand the value of sharing experiences with others, especially with people who don't require you to talk or share much and won't judge if you're not being high-energy the whole time.

Ann and Ryuji are always the inciters, the ones who drag us introverts along. Yusuke isn't as extroverted as the two of them, but he loves all sorts of new experiences, and I'm always curious about his take on things; it's never like that of anyone else. Makoto and Morgana are the reasons we have an ounce of functionality, and don't forget that we're supposed to be doing chores and studying as well. I often wish I could be as efficient and systematic as they are . . . alas.

I'm not exactly sure what I am. Morgana says I'm the glue—the one who holds these bumbling misfits together, all in her big, open heart. I guess he may be right—I love all my friends unconditionally, and I like making sure everything is alright with and between them. But calling myself the only reason our group is still together seems a little . . . entitled.

I've been spending as much time as I can with them, but Sojiro also makes me help out in the cafe while I'm on break, and the fact that he's under enough stress aside, I honestly enjoy the work very much. Maybe—I think as I pour the coffee beans into the machine—once we steal Futaba's heart, it'll relieve him a little.

Then my phone, which lies on the counter, above where Morgana has curled up where the customers can't see him, chimes. I don't react immediately, but Morgana pokes me with his tail. "It's Akechi."

I smile. There's someone else with whom I've made a habit of texting more frequently. I was hoping we could go out more now that we're on break, but it seems as though he's just as busy as he is during the school year. Still, we've been texting regularly, and even though most of it is just me checking whether he's doing well, it's a nice feeling knowing that I can always have a chat with him whenever I feel like it.

But . . . after making sure Sojiro isn't watching, I put the coffee beans down and pick up my phone. I can't say I'm not a little apprehensive, especially since Akechi talked to us about Medjed. I can't deny that he has to be suspecting us, but I'm clinging to the hope that, even if he finds out, it won't be that bad. If he does, we can prove to him that we aren't evil and that he doesn't have to investigate us as a threat to society, just like I wanted to ever since we first met. And if Akechi figures us out . . . maybe he can finally be one of us himself.

I haven't told anyone about this fantasy I like to indulge in sometimes, especially since Morgana told me that he's been to the Metaverse. But, if I'm entirely honest with myself, I want him here with us. Even whenever I'm out with my friends, I often have thoughts of him—of what he is doing and whether he is as lonely as he always seems. Whether he'd want to be here with us too.

I linger on the saddening image for a heartbeat, then shake my head and force myself to focus on the phone screen in front of me. Maybe instead of daydreaming, I should actually read what he has to say.