You Were The Path I Chose | A Goro Akechi Romance

#Making Memories

... In which I invite Akechi out to the aquarium again, to create more fond memories for him to associate with the place. Along the way, we exchange more stories and I grapple with the reality that we are . . . together now—the way we used to be, but so much more.

. . . T-18 days

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The longer I ponder it, the more I'm convinced that Akechi's right—I am insatiable. For him, for us, for the life that I can't help imagining we might have ahead of us, despite all the dread that he can't seem to cease warning me about. We have 19 more days until Maruki acts, and so I'm just . . . relishing.

Yesterday, Ryuji needed me just as Ann did the day before, but today . . . Immediately after school, when I see that no one seems to have anything urgent to do, I make my way over to Kichijoji and find Akechi in the place where he always used to be.

"Oh, it's you," he says when I come to a halt in front of him, looking down at me as though we're still as foreign to each other as we used to be when we spoke here last time. "Don't you have anything better to do than talking to me? We have to do something about Maruki. Otherwise, the world is his to shape as he pleases. And I'd hate to see that happen. So stop wasting time and get yourself ready."

For one moment, I consider pouting a little about how he is speaking so coldly. But . . . I take one step closer, staring up at him over the top of my glasses. Otherwise, the world is his to shape as he pleases. And I'd hate to see that happen . . . I smile.

"So, you do care about what happens to the world."

> "Did you just say you care about the world?"

"That is not the—!" Akechi cuts himself off, glaring at me. "I care about knowing what it is that you came here for," he says sourly, and I giggle. "Our bond's not going to deepen any further, you know that."

I nod without taking my eyes off him once. Memories flash in my mind of his face hovering above me, of the way his mouth tasted and his hand felt between . . .

I force myself to swallow the images down before they compel me to embarrass myself in public, yet I might be looking up at him more bashfully than I ever have.

> "Let's hang out."

"Let's head to the Metaverse."

"I haven't decided yet."

"Are you serious? At a time like this?" Akechi stares at me skeptically, then catches onto my mood and smirks. "Well . . . I suppose I can hardly refuse you anymore. What's the matter? Have you suddenly grown shy or something?"

My mouth drops open when he steps forward, placing a finger under my chin and raising my head to look me straight in the eyes. "I'm not done with you, y'know?" he remarks casually, and I momentarily forget how to exhale.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Morgana chimes in, and Akechi snickers.

"Nothing that's any of your concern," he says, releasing me and crossing his arms. "Oh, alright then. Do keep in mind that I won't let you slack off because of all this, though."

"I won't slack off."

> "Don't worry about it."