You Were The Path I Chose | A Goro Akechi Romance

#RANK 9: Blood Lust

... In which we, on our way to securing the route to Shido's treasure, unexpectedly encounter the one for whom we didn't try hard enough—now the one who may still stop us. Because no matter how much I despise it, he isn't satisfied with where we left of, last time.

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It was supposed to be our home stretch. Five VIPs—five letters—five fights. None of them took us to our limit. Sure, they weren't particularly easy either, but . . . we have a goal: to take Masayoshi Shido's heart for the crimes he committed against countless innocents . . . and against us.

Leaving the last save room behind, I climb the stairs with my friends in tow to make our way through the engine room and put this palace behind us at last. Unlike the casino, we've attempted to rush Shido's cruiser, as there's really no reason not to get this over with as quickly as possible, and it's been grueling. Luckily, at this point, there shouldn't be anything or anyone who could still think to stop us.

Except . . .

I stop so abruptly I almost trip. I'm not even sure why . . . An odd feeling—a tingle at the back of my neck. I take in the confused faces of my friends and almost ignore it—just get out of here, as we all want more than anything. But then . . . something compels me to turn. And when I look up, an arctic chill sweeps over me . . . as I make out the silhouette kneeling high over our heads on top of a long iron rail.

Catching sight of us, he stands and leaps. I can't move . . . because my brain has recognized him long before the rest of me is ready to accept the truth.

Then again . . . now that it's happening, I can't say that a subconscious part of me hasn't been waiting for this. Believed, to the end, that, no matter how implausible it was, he would figure our plans out and come . . . to finish it. If anyone would, it'd be him.

"Long time no see."

Ryuji leaps forward when I find myself unable to speak. "You!?"

"Why's he here!?"

If my head wasn't screaming and my heart wasn't hammering so violently that it almost hurt, I would roll my eyes. Futaba is so smart, but when it comes to figuring out intentions, she's hopeless.

Akechi shifts. Not for a moment does he lose an ounce of his composure. And not for a moment do his eyes leave me. "Hm . . . I'm impressed that you managed to deceive me. It seems I underestimated your abilities."

And we yours, I add in my head and swallow. The way he is now, it is not hard to tell why he is here . . . It isn't the reunion I wanted. I'm not even sure what I even wanted—other than to turn back time. But I don't want this.

. . . Not that I can back down at this point.

I can't look away from him. It almost doesn't feel real . . . that he is here, that he is the same man he was before the phone recording. His face is so familiar but . . . an icy shiver runs down my spine from the death in his eyes. It's the same blank expression I remember from our last time in the jazz club but . . . amplified to a hundred. Not even pretending to be anything other than emptiness.

Akechi stares at me until I have to avert my eyes. But I can feel that he's still looking at me. "You truly are . . . not like anyone else." He's uttered the words before, but they're different now. "Quiet, yet possessing a spirit that refuses to back down, even in the most hopeless situations. You're the one who won't stop believing."

My head shoots up as the familiar words pierce through me.

". . . Or was that a lie too?"

He may as well have slapped me in the face. I'm frozen in place, unable to do anything other than stare at him and fight the sudden urge to break into tears.