The Phantom Thieves of Hearts Pt. 3

Chapter 6: We Are Partners, After All

Int. Car – Night

The date is Saturday, June 19th and Sae is driving her vehicle in the front seat, with Akechi in the passenger's seat and Makoto in the backseat with Akira. All is quiet. Akira struggles to keep his swollen eyes open while Makoto stares at him, worriedly. Sae looks at them both in the rear-view mirror to her car.

Sae Niijima: I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how stupid of a stunt it was, that you pulled...that both of you pulled.

Akira and Akechi are both quiet.

Sae Niijima: Do either of you have the slightest fucking clue what could have happened? AKIRA COULD HAVE DIED, AKECHI! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!

Akechi speaks, quietly.

Goro Akechi: The plan...didn't go the way I thought it would. We...didn't want to get the two of you involved...

Sae Niijima: Well, congrats, because now, I am involved in this bullshit, on top of everything else. Jesus.

Akira glances over at Makoto and struggles to smile at her.

Akira Kurusu: I'm sorry. I...was stupid. I just...wanted to stop the bastard. I wasn't thinking rationally and now, I made you come pick my sorry ass up.

Akira coughs from speaking so much, despite his injuries.

Makoto Niijima: If...you weren't so hurt, I would hit you, myself, for being so stupid!

Akira laughs at Makoto's comment.

Sae Niijima: If the authorities got word of your involvement, Lord knows how they would treat you, considering you're already on probation.

Akira looks surprised that Sae knows about his probation and then looks over at Makoto.

Makoto Niijima: I...I'm so sorry. I...had to tell her when I heard what happened.

Akira Kurusu: No, it's okay. Don't...worry...

Akira falls asleep, due to exhaustion, before he can finish his statement.

Sae Niijima: At the very least, we were able to get him out of there, before he was questioned by anyone. This goes against everything I believe in but...

Makoto, after noticing that Akira is asleep, rests her head on his shoulder. Sae notices this in the rear-view mirror and sighs.

Sae Niijima: I...won't tell anyone about his involvement. Besides, it's not all his fault; isn't that right, Akechi?

Goro Akechi: I...did know about his criminal record but, in the moment, it must have slipped my mind. I wouldn't have gotten him involved if I had remembered that.

Sae Niijima: That's one hell of a slip up on your end...

Goro Akechi: I...suppose for an ace detective, I can be quite dumb sometimes. I...apologize for acting recklessly.

Sae Niijima: The two of us will talk more about this later.

Sae looks in the rear-view mirror, again, and sees that Makoto is now asleep in the backseat to.

Sae Niijima: Thank God.

Goro Akechi: Hm, what is it?

Sae Niijima: The poor girl is finally getting some rest.

Akechi looks behind him and sees Makoto and Akira asleep.

Goro Akechi: Neither of them deserved this...I just don't understand how this world can be so cruel at times.