You Were The Path I Chose | A Goro Akechi Romance

#1/10: A sincere Assertion

... In which the Phantom Thieves convene to discuss whether or not to fight Dr. Maruki. Yet before they can agree to Akechi's proposal for teaming up, I might have to finally reveal my true feelings for him . . . along with everything else I've kept bottled up so far.

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When I wake up the next day, I find Akechi already downstairs, together with Sojiro and Morgana. "You'll be late for school," he says with a smile, and I hurriedly eat my breakfast before packing my things together.

His response to my question about why he isn't preparing to go back to school is a laugh. "When we defeat Maruki, this "reality" and everything in it will vanish. And me . . . Well, you know that, when this happens, I won't be in a position where attending school will have mattered."

To that, I can't muster a reply. I can only say goodbye and promise to text him about the meeting later. On our way to school, I distract myself from the image of Akechi back in custody by telling Morgana about the unexpected appearance of the velvet room in my sleep. I want to tell my friends, and also finally tell Akechi about Yaldabaoth and the way we were set up. About the fact that he has the same potential as I do, even if dormant. If I can talk to Igor and Lavenza again, maybe I should ask them about him and whether there is any way for him to unlock his potential the way I have.

Before I can ask Morgana what he thinks, I'm startled by the sight of . . . Sumire. Her hair is down, and she wears her glasses instead of contacts again—the way she used to before Kasumi's death, I recall from the memory Dr. Maruki showed us.

I assure her that she has nothing to be ashamed of when she tries to apologize for fighting us. That's what friends are for, after all. But the events of the past week have visibly taken their toll on her, and although she asks for time to herself, I can't help but wonder whether there's something I can do to ease her burden.

Ryuji and Ann don't have the opportunity to talk to me before class, but it isn't long before the group chat begins to liven up again. I pay more attention to Ms. Chouno than to my phone until Haru brings up the planned meeting.

HARU: I think I've sorted through my own thoughts, but I'd still like to hear everyone else's take.

RIN: Let's all meet at the hideout after school.

ANN: Let's!

> Oh, and Rin, don't think we've forgotten about last night.

HARU: What happened last night?

MAKOTO: Uh . . .

I twist my phone between my hands, trying not to stare at the row of portraits, wishing there were two more. At the same time, I'm fishing for ways to articulate the second thing I wanted to bring up in a way that won't feel too jarring.

YUSUKE: Did we miss something?

> I didn't have time to read the chat history . . .

RYUJI: Don't worry, man, I'm gonna ask Rin later in person anyway.

RIN: Can I add Akechi back to the group chat so that I don't have to send an extra invitation?

RYUJI: ?!?

> I thought we were meeting up about whether to team up with him?

HARU: Wouldn't it be a little awkward to invite him to such a meeting?

MAKOTO: I agree.