Writing Playground

5. Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing

Fandom: Persona 5
Tag(s): platonic, lies, humor
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" . . ."

" . . . and we meet again, Goro Akechi."

Yes, because that wouldn't make it more awkward than it already was, with Ren drenched by the rain and having a big bruise covering his right arm from Futaba's palace. Not to mention that he wore his summer uniform.

"What's that?" and there he was, that curious detective who just happened to be on the Phantom Thieves case, drinking coffee late in the evening like the strange person he was.

And damn, where was his jacket when he needed it the most?

"A bruise. Never seen one before?" he replied, trying to act nonchalant.

"What've you been doing out, huh?" Sojiro asked with a suspicious look. "You've better not been fighting with someone."

Ren sighed, and kept himself from facepalming at the irony. "Of course not. I just . . . tripped on the pavement, that's all."

What sounded like muffled snickering emanated from his school bag, and what also sounded like muffled snickering came from the only customer in the shop.

Sojiro sighed, before taking off his apron. "Alright, I'm leaving now. I've already kept the shop open longer than usual."

When Sojiro's gaze lingered on Akechi, he flashed a small smile to the barista. "Don't mind me. I'll just drink up my coffee, then I'll be on my way. Maybe I should pay before you leave?"

After Sojiro had left, Ren, Akechi and Morgana were the only ones present in the café. Morgana quickly dashed up the stairs the second Ren put his bag in a booth, leaving the two alone downstairs.

"That was the worst lie I've ever heard," Akechi commented and took a sip of his coffee.

Ren gulped, hand scratching the back of his neck. "What if I'm telling the truth?"

"Then you must be a very clumsy person." His face shifted, and the look of amusement changed into what appeared to be concern. "Tell me what really happened."

Ren wanted to laugh in his face and then run, because there was no way he could actually tell him what truly happened. He would sound like a madman, and brought to the station in no time. "I . . . there was this guy at school, who wasn't very happy over my presence." Ren pushed up his glasses and let out a breath, eyes closed for a few seconds. "I didn't want boss to know."

Akechi stared at him with a guarded gaze, looking for any tell-tale signs for lies if Ren had to guess. He felt his heart beat fast in his chest, and sweat had started to mix with the rain on his skin. He forced himself to put his hands in his pockets, in case they started to shake.

Finally, it seemed like Akechi gave up on scanning him with his eyes, because he sighed and stood up from his seat. "You should be more careful."

"I can't promise anything."

"By the way, where's your umbrella?"

"Upstairs."

That was true, because Ren hadn't paid attention to the weather forecast, and neither had the others when they went to the palace (except for Makoto, but that was another thing).

Akechi shook his head, a light chuckle left his lips. He then proceeded to get his own umbrella and briefcase, and walked to the door. "Well then, it was nice chatting with you, but I need to go before it gets too late."

"Yeah. Bye, Akechi", Ren waved slightly as he left, waiting until he was truly gone. He then locked the door, the sign already flipped to "closed".

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