True Colors (College!AU Akechi x Reader) [ON HIATUS]

XI. Trust

You felt the air tense as you stared at Shido. He stepped forward, his eyes never leaving yours.

Though Shido hadn't done anything threatening to you directly, you couldn't help but feel fearful as he approached you.

"H-hello," you answered, your voice just above a whisper.

Ignoring your greeting, he said, "I wanted to speak with you before you left with my son."

Left? Akechi's leaving the dinner?

"I see you're confused so I will put it simply. I asked Akechi to leave."

"Did he do something wrong?"

Shido made a sound of amusement as he stepped closer to you, slowly. The echo of his footsteps rang in your ear. "Don't play dumb with me, girl."

The hell- Now, you were offended. "I'm not playing dumb! What are you talking about?"

Shido shook his head and paced in front of you, annoyed. "You really don't get it, do you?"

You furrowed your eyebrows. "Get what?"

"You know, I didn't understand it either...," he thought out loud, rubbing his temple. "...why he brought you here. However, I see it now."

You felt yourself beginning to get irritated. What is this man on about? "Look, I meant no disrespect coming here. I know that you had asked your son to bring someone else but he brought me instead and-"

Shido groaned. "I don't have time for this nonsense. He brought you here to spite me."

Spite. You hung on that word as you quietly stared at him, not knowing what to say.

Isn't that the word that Shido's assistant had used when she brought up the issue of Akechi bringing different women to his father's dinner parties?

"He dressed you up in some..." he gave you a quick once over before he continued, "skimpy outfit. And then begins to embarrass me in front of my guests." You felt the sting of his words as he spewed his venom.

"I'm sure he didn't-"

"How much did he pay you to bring you here?"

You furrowed your brows at the accusation. "He didn't pay me anything!"

Shido chuckled. "Come now... do you really believe my son would bring you here out of the kindness of his heart?"

"What did you just say?" You felt yourself beginning to get angry. You hope this was just some elaborate prank and Akechi would just come out from wherever he was hiding with a video camera and you'd all have a good laugh about this tomorrow.

"Oh, the poor girl thinks she's special," he said, mocking you. "Look, Akechi has done this time and time again. You're no different, girl."

"Akechi wouldn't do that to me. What the hell is your problem?"

With a shake of his head, Shido sighed. "I see you haven't known him for very long... But, give it time. I'm sure he'll reveal himself to you in no time."

"How dare you speak of your son this way!?" How could anyone speak of Akechi in that manner? He'd been nothing but kind to you and your friends and to have his own father paint him in an entirely different light made you furious.

You stared at him, appalled at his willingness to throw his own son under the bus.

If he could do that to his own family members, imagine how far he'd go to win whatever position he was running for...