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**Mishima Yuuki- Another Phantom Thieves scandal?!**

@shujinyuukim

Modern Rock band, The Phantom Thieves have caught themselves in hot water, with the release of a public argument, between two of the band’s members, Akechi “Crow” Goro, and Kurusu “Joker” Akira. The video is currently circulating on social media, dividing the fans and the general public, with contrasting opinions.

Said video depicts members having a passive-aggressive argument, raising their voices at each statement, to the point of subconscious shouting, catching the attention of customers at the restaurant.

Fans of The Phantom Thieves have stated their discomfort with the publicity of the Thieves’ lives, with many defending Akechi and Kurusu, commenting that they have been through enough public trauma with the press, references to their past relationship being the main argument.

Fans speculate that the only reason a single video has accumulated excessive press coverage is due to the downfall of Kurusu and Akechi’s relationship.

The two once transparently shared their romantic relationship on social media, whilst leaving no room for interpretation, ultimately led to their downfall, with the two announcing the end of their relationship, with Kurusu posting a twit longer on the impact of press and fame on their relationship, and how it eventually strained it to its limits, at the end of October 20XX.

However, members of the general public have expressed the feeling of unprofessionalism radiating from the entire band, the members being unable to contain mainstream media and publishers.

Many say that The Phantom Thieves have been given enough chances to redeem themselves, and have pushed away every opportunity.

This is clearly a significant break into the Thieves’ reputation, and they may not be able to recover from this small scandal.

Comments: 60.8k

> “can people actually just leave them alone? like let them figure out for the love of God” -Freebez @ LEAVE AKESHU ALONE
>

> “Why is the public so interested in the lives of two young adults?” -ohiao
>

> “at least they have good music? can’t stand the members tho, why do they think they can do whatever the fuck they want? mad tbh” -mikeymaki
>

> “BCS OF COURSE THEY DID, IM INSANE FOR THINKING AKESHU WOULD DO ANYTHING ELSE” -haruswifexx
>

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Replies: 200k

> “im sorry on behalf of our society. the world has let you down once again king.” -basilspolaroid
>

> “NEVER BE SORRY DONT GIVE IN JOKER” -jokerptnews
>

> “fuck the press, they suck.” -herosandwich_
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Replies: 300.8k

> “so he’s just not gonna talk about the BLATANT video trending rn?” -azukaba
>

> “@azukaba let the guy live, he is just trying to be civil here.” -oprahbread2018
>

> “DAY2 METAVERSE RJEWJGFDKJGJK” -vamp1retw0
>

---

“Akechi, if you keep tugging at your elastic, it's going to snap.”

“Apologies, Makoto, I can’t help but feel the last-minute jitters, I doubt you can blame me for that.”

Only Akechi and Makoto remained in the dressing room before the show. As their equipment was the most difficult to set up, they ultimately went first, leaving them alone, waiting for the rest of the members.

Akechi was less than satisfied with the current circumstances, as being left with Makoto left the inevitability of a mindlessly sentimental lecture, that was not prompted, nor encouraged.

He had no excuse to dodge these ‘speeches’ because they were in a public setting, and he, inarguably did not need more public attention after last night’s scandal.

As if Makoto could hear his solemn inner monologue, Akechi’s dreams came true. He had felt the urge that the elastic around his mask would never be tight enough.

“Yeah, about that. I can’t help but blame myself for not being able to stop it,” She picks up a straighter off of the vanity table directly next to Akechi, “I didn’t really make an effort, and I know how you two get.”

*Yeah, so why did you put us together, idiot.*

“Look, it really wasn’t-” He sighed and pressed his palm to his forehead, his mask balancing underneath his fingertips, “Anybody’s fault, and deep down, we all knew something like this would happen, it’s obvious. Put two exes who work together almost every day opposite each other at a corporate dinner, what did you think would happen? It will blow over, the media get bored really quickly, the video is not career ruining, and barely shows anything, just us clearly not getting on, which is very much known.”

“I know but,” Akechi sighed and positioned himself against the leftmost wall of the dressing room, next to the tea-stained couch, waiting for Makoto to continue, “We, well, most of us, thought that maybe you guys would be civil, which is naïve but not impossible. I am aware of your conversation before the dinner, and I assume that left a sour taste on your tongue despite you being the one starting the conversation. If anything it serves as a lesson to watch your mouth Akechi.”

A sour taste, she says, *you have no idea*.

Akechi clicked his tongue in annoyance, “So I should watch my mouth, huh?”

“Did you even listen to a word I said?” Makoto unplugs her straighter and places it back into the holder, “And yes, you should watch your mouth. I don’t care if I ruin your precious ego but you wonder why you always pick fights with people. I’m not saying it was your fault, but sometimes your anger gets the best of you. If this keeps happening to specifically you, I have a feeling the other person isn’t always the issue.”

Blood boils in Akechi, and his eyes trail to Makoto’s glare, staring with soft daggers, as he knows she’s right, but will never admit it to her face.

He takes a deep sigh, letting go of his stare, resulting in a victory smirk from Makoto, “It will blow over, don’t expect me to change my whole personality just because it’s Kurusu.”

“Of course not, however, he seems to have that effect on people, and clearly, you have already been affected. Your anger is deep-rooted in your unknown feelings, which is understandable, I can’t imagine being in your situation. However, that is no excuse. There’s no point even talking to you anymore if you’re so far gone, I’m aware you don’t listen to me. Pretty much, the ball is in your court, Goro, so you better make it count, he’s waiting for you.”

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean, Makoto.”

“It’s not my place, but, Akira hasn’t given up and you don’t give him enough credit for that. If I were him, I would’ve given up a long time ago. He always tried to make us feel like a normal group of friends, just messing around in a studio. Now it’s more complicated, but he never gives up on anyone in the group, ex or not, that’s what makes him the leader.”

Akechi could barely comprehend what Makoto was saying, whether she was saying the truth was beyond him, but he felt like she was, which makes it worse. Everything he had worked for after the break-up, shattered into a million pieces named ‘Akira’.

“That’s quite enough. I really don’t want to hear this right now.”

Makoto’s expression softens and she links her own fingers together while standing up straight, letting her wrist cuffs slide down her arms, “Of course, let us wait for the others to return.”

The other Thieves’ are due to return sooner rather than later, much to Akechi’s appreciation. However, the time in silence in the dressing room with Makoto endowed time for Makoto’s words to simmer in his head.

He wasn’t unaware of Akira’s attempts of pursuit, but he assumed the latter would have given up after seeing Goro’s unmistakable disinterest in being any more than colleagues.

That mentality only got him so far, as if some words spoken by his least favourite member of the Phantom Thieves would sway his opinion of Akira. He is acutely aware of how he would be able to keep up a neutral façade, and he would not give in to everyone’s cries against his stubbornness.

He would never give anyone the satisfaction of knowing they’re right, at least not with words.

As if on cue, the dressing room rattled slightly, and the door parted, just enough for Haru to fit her head through it.

“We are ready for you. Apologies for the slight wait, there was an issue with one of the speakers.” A smile stayed plastered on her face with impeccable ease. Akechi wished it would be that easy for him, however, he was too far gone.

Makoto smooths out her scarf cape, “Alright.” She heads towards the door, making sure that nothing in the dressing room was out of place before stepping outside. Akechi silently follows, dumbfounded.

Chaos ensued in the backstage hall, with roaring from Ann and Ryuji to “hype themselves up” and “manifest the vibes”.

“Can you guys shut up for one second?”

“Nah Futaba, it’s our ritual, you wouldn’t know cuz you ain’t part of us!”

“I thank the Gods above for that every day.”

“You take that back right now you little-” Ryuji jumps onto the other side of Futaba’s couch, resulting in a loud squealing noise.

“Okay guys, that’s enough, we are on in 20.”

“20?! I thought we were on in 10.”

“Apparently not, people are still getting bag searched at the entrance.”

Makoto visibly scowls at Sae, “That’s their excuse this time?”

“We are just going to have to deal with it, there’s not much we can do.”

Akechi always compared the backstage hall to a storage room, as to its core that’s what it was. Apart from the knot of wiring slew across the floor and obnoxiously large music equipment (which Akechi complained about more than once to Akira, way back when), backstage was relatively barren and callous. The only seats available near Akechi were small wooden stools and a desk worth laughing at, which he hesitantly sat on.

Each step on the wood floor would echo throughout the whole room, making it so nobody could quietly walk. Compared to the stadium, which once Akechi considered his home but now had lost its spark, backstage was a joke.

*This room is a joke, the people above all else.*

After the prior conversation with Makoto, Akechi needed an excuse to ignore Akira more than ever. He wouldn’t do it to prove that Makoto is right, but to prove to himself that he is more than capable of ‘watching his mouth’.

For now, he settled on pulling out a folder named “CROWS BAE” holding his music sheets and lyrics for research purposes. The folder name made him hurl without fail, due to the fact it was written in permanent marker, in Akira’s handwriting.

“Still have that folder, huh? Guess some things never change.”

If only it was anyone else besides Akira. He promised himself he would ignore him, not talk to him.

“Unfortunately, it is the only one I have.” Which was not a lie, but not entirely the truth, Akechi just hadn’t found his spares.

Spying out of the folder were the lyrics and sheet for Akechi’s solo song, ‘[reboot]’, made purely out of spite after the breakup, showing his independence out of his constricting relationship, and to prove to himself that he is over with feeling smitten over someone who is not worth his time.

Akira had noticed this too, eyes slightly widened, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Y’know I’d let you sing that, right?”

The speaker never fails to catch Akechi off guard. Akechi froze and stared straight at the stack of pages, precariously stapled together. His solo song is evidently about Akira, written in a moment of dizziness and intoxication.

“Why’s that? I don’t think that would benefit anyone.”

“What? ‘Cuz of the nature of the song? It doesn’t bother me, I can’t say I enjoyed listening to it, I assume it wasn’t meant for me to listen to. However, it would be a good chance to redeem yourself.”

Akechi’s eyebrows sprung up, while Akira sloppily hunkered onto the desk, highlighting the fact he would like to continue this conversation, much to Akechi’s dismay.

“It was made as a solo song, I don’t believe that includes it being played at a band event.”

Akira groans, “I don’t mind you singing it, it’s a song, there’s no need to treat it with such a taboo. I’m sure you read that article that mentioned it. There’s no bias when I say that people want to hear you sing. ‘[reboot]’ was a song created to make people feel something. However, I don’t want to push you into singing it.”

‘[reboot]’ makes Akechi feel vulnerable, an emotion he did not want to make public. To him, songwriting meant putting his thoughts onto paper, thoughts that would never leave his mouth, like the coward he is. On the other hand, the song made him feel like he was in control, that everything around him meant nothing. The world was a programmed simulation full of ants. Akechi would never understand Akira’s thought process, he is not supposed to be telling Akechi he can sing a song directed at him, with such vile messages. The song represented fake love, manipulation and superficiality in a relationship.

Akechi pulls out the vintage ‘[reboot]’ sight readings.

“How can you feel so strongly about a song meant to cause you to spiral?” Akechi pressed

“I don’t feel strongly about it, trust me. I think the song shows a part of you nobody gets to see, and, y’know, maybe it would cause you to let go slightly.”

“That’s rich coming from you, Joker.”

“Fair. But I mean, we’ve all been there, hell, have you listened to ‘Turbulent’, or even the whole ‘SHOWTIME’ album? It’s your choice, just make sure to tell Sae before we go on,” Akira paused to collect his words, “But, that’s not what I’m here to say.”

According to Akechi, the idle chatter was dragging on for far too long.

“I want to talk to you after the show today.”

*Well, fuck.*

Clearly not the direction that Akechi thought his discussion would go to, but a direction he expected deep down. Of course, he would have to explain himself to Akira, as he would ask questions about Akechi, and expect answers. However, he kept a neutral expression towards Akira, not letting the mask slip.

“Sure.”

“Wait it was that easy? Though you’d be kind of an ass about it.”

*How can he just talk to me like we are friends? The fucking audacity.*

“I will *not* be an ass about it. However reluctant I am, I am not heartless and do agree that it is a well-needed conversation.”

“That’s great,” Akira sheepishly rubbed his hand across the side of his neck, “Uhm, I’ll see you later, I guess, uhm, try and talk to Sae when you can. Bye.”

Akira jumps off of the desk and strolls off towards an area Akechi can’t place, never making eye contact.

Suddenly, Akira’s boldness was reduced in his last statement, to a mask of Akira that reminded him too much of the past. His stance was slouched, and he refrained from eye contact (as if Akechi would initiate it). Joker’s façade only lasted so long, each persona died off just as fast as it was created after its use. Akira deemed his Joker façade useless in that situation, at last.

Akechi decided he would humour himself, for the sake of Akira’s undying request.

“Nijima?”

Sae Nijima stood directly by the door, a perplexed expression on her face, as she watched the stadium fill up from the peephole. Her eyebrows were knitted together as if in a permanent state of stress and disappointment.

“Goro. How may I be of assistance?”

“Apologies for the last-minute request, however, would it be possible for me to conduct a change in the script? As in, include ‘[reboot]’”.

Asking wasn’t hard, Akechi has guts and he prides himself on that. However, Sae Nijima was the opposite of lenient. A stubborn shell at the bottom of the ocean that you just can’t quite grasp.

Nijima almost always kept her composure and took her work extremely seriously, Akechi has complimented her multiple times on her work ethic and envies her ability to stay unperturbed.

Unlike his father, Akechi looks up to Nijima, nevertheless, he cannot say the same for her sister, Makoto.

Nijima glances at the Thieves over Akechi’s shoulder, and her eyes form into slits and her mouth into a thin line.

“Did they put you up to this?” She tilts her head in the general direction of the Thieves.

“No, I simply felt as if it would be the right thing, to remove the stigma.”

Nijima would have no time to question Akechi, due to the short time, and Akechi fully took this to his advantage. If she believed him or not was a non-issue, but a fire in him burns at the thought of being able to sing in front of a crowd. A crowd reserved just for him. ‘[reboot]’ was one of those things where Akechi felt guilty pride, there were many things he would not admit, only the closest.

“Okay, you may sing, please look for Akira’s cue”

“Can’t I rely on Ann?”

“No. You shall wait for Akira’s cue as he is the main singer, do not push me, Goro.”

Akechi acknowledged the pettiness of asking Sae to switch his cues, however, he felt it was worth a try.

---

HARU MY LOVE @harujajaja

at metaverse, waiting for #PhantomThieves!

*[image.stadiummetaverse.jpg]*

7eleven pog @aqira

just spotted #crow talking to nijima backstage. something is happening!!

*[image.akechitalkingtosae.jpg]<*/i>

The Metaverse was bursting with people, no surprises there. Its tall arch had nothing on the elevated pillars and ladders people would stand on to see the performance. Metaverse is known for being a “free for all”, journalists often described the stadium as “otherworldly” with its dark and brooding colours, prompting it to be a hot spot for pictures and events no other place could do as well as The Metaverse.

The only source of natural light in the main stadium is a gaping void carefully constructed to not obstruct the show, but let in the ideal amount of light.

Being at the center of the stage, on the invisible raised platform had an effect no article could describe. As if you were flying or dreaming, all the people below you arrived just to see you. It always sent a rush of gratification through Akechi.

Lights beamed across the Thieves’ faces while the assemblage cried and screeched at a mere word. Akira did most of the talking because he was the unanimous leader (even now, Akechi thinks that Akira is the only one fit for leading the Phantom Thieves).

Akechi swiftly moved towards his carefully placed drum set in a motion rehearsed many times. At this point, it became second nature to let the rest of the group do all the talking, which in retrospect was probably a better action.

“Hello Metaverse!” The speakers boomed out Ann’s voice from all areas.

“Such a pleasure to be here once again, I am truly grateful for this liberating experience.”

“Damn, we can always leave it up to Yusuke to chalk up to the audience.”

Ryuji pulls his strap over his head, momentarily getting it caught in the crevice of his mask, which the Thieves failed to capture, but earned a cheer from the audience.

“Oh fuck, that hurt.”

“Ryuji, language on stage!”

“Please, like you don’t literally swear in your songs.”

This earned a chuckle from the audience along with a snort from Akechi.

“Shhh, nobody needs to know.”

This short exchange briskly settled into Akira’s first song, in which Akechi was required to play a simple repeated motif to start off the night. It wasn’t Akechi’s favourite but he preferred to not think about it too much, unlike when he was due to play [reboot].

It was obvious that Akechi had some sort of nervousness around performing it, but there was no point worrying about such uncontrollable matters. Akechi would perform the song, and the press would get off his back about it, and he would carry on playing layered chess games with himself.

Akechi and Haru were required to stay in sync throughout the bridge and chorus, only going off sync when Akechi was required to freestyle and Haru had ceased to play.

He had to admit, The Phantom Thieves worked exceptionally well together, nobody could deny that. They all were used to each other's playing styles, and each of the members had one member that they were almost constantly glued to on stage.

In Akechi’s case, it was Yusuke, the PT’s bass guitarist and sometimes Haru, their main electric keyboardist. As Akechi and Yusuke were both on bass, they were often tasked with similar chords and rhythms.

Over time, the two had become quite close and Akechi often went to Yusuke for any music-related issues he may have had and came to realise that Yusuke is extremely passionate about his music, and refers to it as art.

In a sense, music is art, yet Akechi has no longer thought of it in such high regard, however, there was a therapeutic nature in smashing wooden sticks on drums and cymbals to create sound. He was able to be as loud and as aggressive as he wanted.

The night transitioned smoothly, about halfway through the media began to turn up, and less than subtly pointed their cameras directly at Akechi, which made him grin at the sight, and forced him to give a performance to the press by having anything but a bored expression on his face.

*What cue is Akira even supposed to give me, Nijima didn’t even tell me.* He scowled.

In the heat of a performance, it was difficult to pay attention to what Akechi was playing, the crowd, and the other members around him.

So rest assured, he almost missed Akira’s extremely vocal cue.

“Thank you everyone for being so loud and amazing as usual. However, Ann and I are going to step back just for a minute.”

Step back? For what?

The crowd booed slightly at this remark.

“But~ I have been told that *someone* will be singing a certain solo song.”

Akira looks over at Akechi, who is placing his sticks in a safe position, and shot him a smile.

Ann pushed away her microphone to whisper to Akira, “Wait, Goro’s performing today? Since when did this happen?”

Akira did the same motion, eyes looking straight towards the assemblage, he shrugs, “Since backstage, I asked him to do it, didn’t really expect anything. Then Sae comes up to me and tells me to give him a cue to sing.”

“Huh. Y’think that he actually decided to listen to you?”

“Doubt it, he’s tryna piss me off 100%. I think he is trying to prove something. I can never read him anymore.”

“Fair enough.”

Akechi’s eye twitches. I’m right here, idiots.

He speaks up and clears his throat into the microphone while Akira and Ann jolted away. Akira took his place on the drums, while Ann stood at the side of the stage.

The gathering roared louder than ever before, as Akechi flashed a smile and adjusted the microphone stand.

— —

CROW WHAT @justiceisserved

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT, CROW IS SINGING AT THE #metaverse TONIGHT. RIGHT NOW

*[image.crowonstage.jpg]*

— —

layla @yusukesguitarstrap

if #Crow performs reboot at #metaverse i will just pass away.

— —

champ !! @crowstepONMEPLEASE

when crow. #metaverse

*[image.crowsmilingatcamera.jpg]*

— —

shira @kumahumaa

replying to @crowstepONMEPLEASE

that is the most adorable photo ever. will treasure it forever.

— —

“Greetings, Metaverse. I personally requested to come up here tonight, as I believe it is well deserved and I am very much fed up with the air surrounding this song. It means a lot to me, and I hope everyone enjoys this feature performance of [reboot].

Keeping it short and sweet was Akechi’s middle name, after all. He could already see Twitter blowing up over his words, and frankly, he loved and loathed the attention at the same time.

“One, two, three, four!”

— —

KYA @kyato_

THIS IS HAPPENING OH MY GOD IM CERQING #crow #metaverse

*[video.crowsinging.mp4]*

— —

The pre-choruses were by far the most difficult to sing, with fast-paced vocals paired with electronic sound, it was challenging to keep up.

Akechi loves that rush.

**I'm out the ring**

**But the only ring I want**

**Is the ring around your finger**

**But your middle one's up**

**I've had enough, I try to brush it off**

The song is so clearly about Akira, yet Akechi could not care less about what Akira was thinking, or what his reaction was. He would look through the videos at another point.

**'Cause you're my confidante**

**So let's talk, share secrets**

**I've got some dirty laundry, can you keep it?**

It was obvious that Akechi had a *slight* amount of pent-up anger while writing the song in early February, however, it was clear he had not resolved his anger by the way he uses his voice. The tones were authentic and veracious and held a lot of weight to them.

Makoto dials back the volume slightly, letting in the introduction of traditional instruments.

**I never promised you your dream boy**

**I'm better as your chew toy**

**Love, love, love**

**The heart I gave, it was a decoy**

*Akira swayed towards me with a look on his face that screamed “I’m here to fuck shit up.” That stupid shit-faced grin.*

*”Goroo~ Give me attention, Yusuke is ignoring me~” Akira clung to my arm with a pout on his face.*

*“And why is that?”*

*“That’s the thing, I don’t know~ Now give me attention.”*

*I laugh, a heartily one. I didn’t even realise it until it came out of my mouth. It felt like I had just vomited stars, millions of galaxies spewed from my mouth like it was nothing like it were natural, “He’s probably just busy, Akira.” Yet I still pressed my lips to his forehead and dishevelled his hair with my hand.*

*The stars had aligned for this, my hands sank into his curly locks.*

*I whispered in his ear, “In any universe, I’d still choose you, however busy I am.”<*/i>

**I'm just here to destroy**

**Love, love, love**

He couldn’t imagine destroying anything else but love. He grips his microphone harder, containing his anger through subtle actions. The second verse en route straight to his mouth. He braces himself for impact and the words continue to flow out while he brutally fights for his life.

**You're not worth my colour**

**You're not worth another**

**Headache, you're dead weight**

**You're gonna be just like your mother

The mocking words come out like venom. Internet hate doesn’t bother me, he said, my dad doesn’t bother me, he said.

Everything he said could never be taken back, words would forever slit his throat, and he would live to regret it.

— —

sAMMY @reallysaltychips

u gotta give #crow credit, he is clearly giving this shit his ALL despite the clear discomfort

— —

kat @cummingforkat

GOD THIS PERFORMANCE IS BEAUTIFUL. #crow IS KILLING IT RN. istg if the media keep pressing him about that video i will riot

— —

crowgoro <3 @g0ros_jersey

#joker looking at #crow in #metaverse when he was performing [reboot] makes me really happy and really sad. just look at this smitten boy.

*[image.jokerstaringatcrow.jpg]*

— —

**I tried to make life a movie**

**Yeah, here, I got you a preview**

**I had 101 wishes**

**And lost them all on you**

*” You realise I won, right?” Akira sat opposite me with a borderline angry expression on his face, clearly, I had seen through his ‘chess master plan’.*

*“Why I- You- You imbecile! Absolute imbecile! I am- I-, Imbecile, You-!” Akira sputtered over his words in an attempt to throw back a snarky remark.*

*“Is that the only insult you know?”*

*I leaned back in my chair, however, no malice was detected in either of our words.*

*He was clearly amused, but he remarked, “Shut up.”*

**I think I talk too much**

**I try to walk it off**

**But now you got your gloves**

**And now you box me out**

You asked for this Akira, it’s what you deserve. For me to demolish you on screen.

I hope my father is watching this while rotting in his cell.

**I never promised you your dream boy**

**I'm better as your chew toy**

**Love, love, love**

**The heart I gave, it was a decoy**

**I'm just here to destroy**

**Love, love, love**

**I never promised you your dream boy**

”Wait, you’re gonna go solo? You for real?”

Ryuji stood mouth agape.

“Yes, that is what I said.”

“No- Wait I mean, does Akira know?”

“Does he have to know?”

“I thought- I thought y’all were fuckin’.”

“It was just that Ryuji, Just fucking. I didn’t promise him anything more than that.”

**I've got some dirty laundry, can you keep it?**

**I never promised you your dream boy, dream, dream boy**

**Dream boy, dream boy**

**Dream boy, dream boy, dream boy, dream boy, dream**

The audience had since gotten out their phone cameras and glowsticks, creating a wave of light towards the stage as if they were stars. After the song finished there was an aura of solemnity, with a comfortable silence falling throughout the stadium.

Subsequently, after the somber silence, led to a tumultuous roar, louder than the ending of any song so far. Due to the noise, Akechi subconsciously presses his hands to his ear but says nothing.

— —

carmen @deezneuf

THAT WAS FUCKING AWESOME KAJWJRFGG #metaverse #crow #reboot

— —

Mishima @shujinyuukim

A phenomenal performance from #crow at tonight's #metaverse. Can’t wait for what the PT have in store next!

*[image.metaversestadium.jpg]*

— —

**********

“I’ve held back telling you all this due to Akira’s departure. As he has been back for a few months and all of you have gotten well acquainted with him again, I believe it is time to start creating a group album. I am aware most of you have songs or singles together, however, our discography as a unit is quite lackluster. If you want to become big names, you have to put in the effort. You all work extremely well together, so I believe there will not be an issue with band discourse.”

Sae stacked her papers on the desk and set them down in a uniform order. The Thieves glanced around at each other, clearly not surprised with Sae’s proposition.

“I have to admit that you are correct Ms Nijima, it is required to produce an album.”

“Yeah, what Yusuke said, I’ve actually wanted to do that for a while, but I always thought we needed Akira, but he’s here now so~!”

“That’s great that you are all in agreement with me. In light of this, I have recommended some roles in the production of the album, however, they are only suggestive. Akira and Ann shall work on the songwriting with Futaba, as she is our main director. She will help guide you with ideas. Ryuji, Yusuke and Goro will work alongside each other as usual, for melodies and sound quality. Makoto and Haru are always grouped together,” She stares at her notes and clicked her pen, “As always, these are suggestive and feel free to house creative liberties over your works, for example; Goro could also work on songwriting.”

Akechi interrupted Sae while having his index finger up in a way to demonstrate that he was asking a question.

“Apologies Nijima, but I have never written a song before.”

“That’s fine Akechi, we can help you no problem.”

“Fantastic, that’s all I wanted to say. Your deadline is November. You are dismissed.”

The Thieves quietly shuffled out of the door, shoulders to the sky. Sae’s room had an effect that gave anyone crippling anxiety. It was constantly stuffy and with all 7 band members inside, forced to touch shoulder to shoulder, added up to the discomfort.

Akira let out a deep sigh, a breath he didn’t know he was holding in and slapped his hand onto Akechi’s forearm, “God, has she always been that scary? I don’t remember her being that mad all the time.”

This caused Akechi to chuckle, a streak of lightning forced its way down his back at the sudden touch, “Tell me about it. She’s not usually like that but I assume your arrival has caused her a great amount of stress, as it has for all of us.”

Akira takes his hand off of Akechi’s shoulder and instead places it on his forehead, “You really think so? At least she’s thinking about me, and I believe that’s just you.”

Akechi brushed off his comment by raising his eyebrows in confusion.

“Hey Akechi, You busy right now?”

A foolish question, as he was booked in the studio all day, however, he makes an excuse for Akira.

He always makes an excuse for Akira.

“Well, I am talking to you right now, that should give you your answer.”

Akira took two steps towards Akechi, so he was inches away from Akechi’s ear. He leant in with his hands behind his back. Akechi took in his scent.

*He smells exactly like Morgana, typical.*

He usually didn’t like the smell of cats, but when it’s *Akira* he felt some sort of nostalgia for the smell. In a way he could get used to it. Puppy love was poison, but as poison does, it’s difficult to avoid.

************

“Thank you so much for coming. We will see you all next week!”

Akechi would be lying if he said that he wasn’t sweating through his mask, it has always been a normal sensation, of sweat glands exploding throughout his body, and rushing down his face. His hands were always peeling due to the grip on the drum sticks.

After a show, it was always a tradition to shout as loud as lungs could go. It felt relieving and the kick from the show never ceased, now Akechi stands there while the rest of the Thieves smash their hands together in excitement.

Everyone was so happy, so why did he not feel the adrenaline rush he once did? Shido was gone, yet every song he plays feels like a chore like it could be something more.

He would always critique the songs he played while playing them to take his mind off of the situation. He was able to see through the chords like they were blinds, he was often told he had a genius mindset. Being in the limelight for the entirety of your adolescence makes fame seem boring and senseless. There was only ever one person who would actually give a shit about it, hell, that person even helped him kick out his bullshit father.

Akira and his stupid altruistic beliefs, the guy can’t survive without meddling in other’s business.

Akechi peered around the corner, to see Akira rush up the stairs to his far left. He managed to get out of the Thieves’ grasp, so in theory, how difficult could it be for Akechi to do the same?

He wishes for Akira to have forgotten his proposal, but Akechi doubts it. He rubs his hand against his shoulder blade and sneaks around the edge of the hall. Having known and been in the Metaverse for many years, all the curtains were in his favour.

The Phantom Thieves weren’t stupid, but he believes that they will all understand if Akechi and Akira **both** go missing. They knew he couldn’t go far.

Akira had not told him where they were meeting, giving Akechi time to stall in a corridor outside. He unclips his mask and ties it around his waist, he could barely see with it on.

Once, he had told Akira he let go of his princely persona, and even Akechi believed he had, but as soon as he dawned that red mask he understood why people relapsed.

Akechi hopes that Akira won’t keep referring to all the lies he told. They weren’t lies then, but, fuck if he ever said that.

Clock striking 12, Akechi feels it’s time to stop dwelling on what was, he’s about to do enough of that.

— —

pink @yusukehustlin

that metaverse performance tonight was fucking unbeatable, #fox killing it on guitar as usual and #crows reboot was fucking beautiful

— —

queen stan !! @makor

if the press put their silly little mouths all over #PT imma be pissed and it wont be pretty

— —

langa’s mom @fatereawakened

god guitarists are so hot.

*[image.ryujirockingitout.jpg]*

*[image.yusukefocusedplayingguitar.jpg]*

— —

“Akechi! Finally found you, what are you doing here?”

Akira sped up after seeing Akechi leaning against the wall of the rear corridor, in deep thought.

“Apologies Kurusu, I needed to get away from the chaos.”

“Fair enough.”

Akira had picked up on the use of Kurusu a long time ago, and it never bothered him, until his face bunches up at the use of the formality.

Akira gestures towards the stairs in a ‘follow me’ motion.

Akech wordlessly does, purposefully making the situation tense. Dark alleyways at the back of The Metaverse would never be seen the same.

In the same alley where Akechi was shoved into a wall with desperate intentions, they would squabble on the day of the breakup. Now that same alley was being used for what Akechi assumed was a sorry speech.

The walls were bare and dingy, with the concrete floors failing to make Akechi any warmer.

“I never know how to start these things, but I thought I should just ease it in. I guess I’ll just start with I’m really sorr-”

Akechi clicked his tongue in annoyance and backed into the left side of the alley, opposite Akira, “You’re sorry, you didn’t mean it, blah blah blah, can you do anything but read from the script.”

Akira narrowed his eyes at the sudden attitude, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that my apologies mean nothing to you, yesterday wasn’t the reason I’m here with you today, it was just the excuse, per se.”

The use of attitude was definitely slightly rude, but he can’t stand another sentimental speech today.

“So what was the reason?”

“Right to the point. Right- well, I feel like I’ve been trying so hard to at least have some fragment of a relationship with you, and you just- you just have been blowing me off so much that I don’t even know if it’s worth it anymore. I mean, sure it will anger the Thieves, but what’s the fucking point when it’s one-sided.”

“Have you ever thought about the fact I want nothing to do with you? I led you on, I used you, why don’t you get that into your thick skull?”

Akira slicks back his hair in an attempt to stay calm, “I don’t believe that, and I can tell you don’t believe it either,” He stares at Akechi with malice coated around his person, “If you want to play with fire, you get fucking burnt. You don’t understand the weight of your words, you never did. Because of you, everybody thought I was fucking *crazy*. Yeah, I am sorry about yesterday, but can you blame me when you act like that? You say you got rid of that persona when Shido left, we all know that’s bullshit, nobody says it because your hanging on a tiny thread.”

“You were fucking *crazy*,” Akechi says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, “Nothing I said back then was genuine, I was 18, I was young, and I especially didn’t care for little boys who thrived on fucking up people’s lives. Shido was a way for me to get away with the fucked up shit I did for justice. My justice was defeating him, I used whoever I damn pleased.”

Akira digs his fingers into his palms and firmly releases, “God, you're not listening to me! Yes, I fucked around with alcohol, if anything you’re the one that was crazy. I apologize in advance for what I’m about to say, but if you keep acting like a brat around the people who basically gave you your life back, then yes, you do deserve to feel bad. You deserve to feel bad about stealing lyrics and faking your skills, but you never deserve to go through it by yourself. I tried so goddamn hard to keep it together, you don’t even know. Every time you would lash out at someone, I would come to you, but you would always push me away, even way back when.”

Akira had a way with words, but Akechi would not let Akira get checkmate this time. All he saw was red.

“Please, now who’s lying through their teeth? You may have a way with words, but you actually have to say it like you mean it. You never knew what Shido did to me, you didn’t know how I was feeling at that moment. My morals were being ripped away from me, I needed a pawn. If my justice goes down, I go down with it. I do feel bad, in fact, I feel shit, it was inexorable. You just grabbed onto me, I never expected to have a relationship, I never expected for you to get so attached. I never-. I thought that what I did was right, it’s always been fucking right, but when I was a good person, I was told I needed to do more, I needed to get up and be a man.”

Akira was quick to revoke.

“And you were, you still are. Your morals are good in your eyes, unless you’re killing people, then who gives one? I believed in you, Akechi. When you were Goro to me. I just can’t see myself carrying on, there’s only so much waiting and being patient I can do. You just can’t get it in your head, can you? You are family, I don’t care what any of your bullshit parents said to you. As with any other person, there’s only so much that family can take. If you chose to change your mindset, chose to put some effort into living, we may just have relaxed our shoulders, but I am so close to giving up on everything we have done.”

Akechi laughs, he can’t help but be in hysterics, “You can’t be fucking serious, all the bullshit you’re spewing could be enough to write a whole album about you. Oh yeah, how did that make you feel, watching me demolish you on stage in front of thousands?”

“It felt nothing like that, actually. I enjoy drumming for that song, [reboot] is personal to you, so what if it’s about me, respectfully, join the queue,” Akira spits out and the next second Akira’s hand is across from Akechi’s, pinning him against the frigid and raw wall, “There will always be an excuse when it comes to you, and it eats at me every day. How it hurts to argue with you, I can’t bare to see you like that, you hate the sentimental crap, but romantic movies get you every time, even if you’ve already seen them. Yet you put on this mask and it's cracking. Why can’t you just listen to me for once?”

Akechi’s adrenaline skyrockets and the realization hits him that Akira is right. He actively ignores the position they are in, with Akira close enough to his face he can see the anger and despair on his face, he can feel Akira’s warm breath on his face. All his anger drained as soon as Akira said sinks in. He said his first name in a moment of panic. Akechi doesn’t even think Akira notices.

“It’s- it’s not the same as it was before. We aren’t the same people anymore, we’ve changed. We really have, the fame will impact us more than ever before. The new era.”

Akira’s breath calmed down, along with Akechi’s, who began to ramble, at a loss for words, “If we have changed so much, then tell me, Akechi, why has the electricity surging inside me not calmed down?”

Akira’s gaze flickers from Akechi’s eyes to his nose, to his lips, to his torso.

Akechi watches Akira’s eyes wonder. *Fuck it.*

Akira finds Akechi’s eyes and blinks harshly. Akechi forcefully closes the gap in between them in a rush of endorphins, he needed to know if *this* was what he needed.

He was told to never kiss his exes on a whim, but when your ex is Akira Kurusu, what’s the point in that? Akira stands frozen as his brain seemingly short circuits as the sensation.

He catches up, and firmly presses their lips together further, Akira pulling Akechi’s hair with his other hand. Their lips slide together and Akechi grips Akira’s shirt, creating creases in the stitching. He could barely think straight, Akira’s words and his actions ran through his brain like a series of bright lines, he no longer saw red, he saw white, blue, and pink.

Akira leans back for air and looks directly at Akechi, breathless, “What- What the fuck was that? You- I-”

Everything catches up to Akechi in one big wave, “You’ve got to be shitting me right now.” The sensation of Akira on him hadn’t quite left when Akira drifts onto the other side of the wall, the position he was in before.

“At least you shut me up.”

“Please fuck off, that was your fault.”

“You realised I’m right, didn’t you?”

That’s my problem, why did I believe you now of all times?

--

**Mishima Yuuki- An unexpected turn of events!**

@shujinyuukim

The turn tables have truly turned with The Phantom Thieves’ newest debacle in the spotlight! The Phantom Thieves are well known for their groundbreaking style, mixing both rock elements, and electronic synth elements to create a new and unique sound for mainstream music. However, they are also known for one of the biggest scandals in the modern music industry - a relationship scandal, may I add.

Lest to say, the public was not surprised when The Phantom Thieves got themselves caught up in yet another humiliation, seems as if sometimes they just cannot keep their heads on. To add insult to injury, The Phantom Thieves performed at the METAVERSE stadium, less than 24 hours after said humiliation circulated around news and social media platforms.

This begs the question, why are The Phantom Thieves receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, rather than backlash, as they were before their performance? The answer to this question all comes down to one member of the band, who is known for his brash personality, yet princely outward demeanour, Goro “Crow” Akechi.

During the height of his controversy with lead singer Akira “Joker” Kurusu, Akechi wrote and published a solo song, unrelated to the band’s name or label, about his ex-spouse Akira. This song was named [reboot] and quickly gained traction as it revealed very vulnerable emotions for the drummer, which he had never discussed before.

That being the case, the public related to the song, and its lyrics meant a lot to fans of The Phantom Thieves and Goro Akechi respectively. Moreover, in April, two months after the release of [reboot], Akechi stated that he will not be singing the song live due to its sensitive and heavy subjects.

He has been extremely vocal about his dislike for performing [reboot] in the past, stating that the reason was due to his own morals, and not about Kurusu’s feeling about the song. To comment on the latter statement, in an interview with Ichiko Ohya in early May, Akechi remarked that “[reboot] was meant to be a song just for me, and frankly I couldn’t care less what Kurusu thinks about it, he is well aware of my feelings towards him.”

With this especially direct declaration, fans were rendered astounded to find out that Akechi willingly agreed to perform [reboot] as last night’s METAVERSE show. Despite that, what was in fact expected, was Akechi’s ability to completely blow the performance out of the water. His performance was enthralling, angry yet elegant, and everyone that attended was deeply buoyant. Almost immediately, [reboot] and Goro Akechi became trending on Twitter and the views on The Phantom Thieves’ live stream of the show shot up.

If this performance from Akechi was just a plot to get the Phantom Thieves’ name out of the media for the wrong reasons, they have most definitely succeeded, however when closer inspecting the video, it seems that the rest of the Thieves, (outside of Kurusu, singer Ann ‘Panther’ Takamaki and synthesizer Makoto ‘Queen’ Nijima) were just as flabbergasted when Akechi picked up the microphone.

From the live stream, the camera was focused on Akechi, however, videos recorded from the audience’s phone, briefly show what seems to be Kurusu whispering to Takamaki, who proceeds to go off to the side to whisper to guitarist Ryuji ‘Skull’ Sakamoto. What they said is currently unknown.

Comments: 61.8k

> “the reason the media moved on so fast from the video was bcz they were finally done milking other pplz lives” -astraq
>

> “words cannot describe how fucking amazing that performance was, being in that crowd was an honour” -raecarlie
>

> “and the fact crow looked FINE AS HELL up there. god musicians are just RAWRRRRR” -cheeripie
>

> “honestly living for this change of direction from the PT things r defo looking up from here” -rubbingmyhands
>

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Replies: 147k

ula @therealeula

SORRY WHAT???? UHM @kurusuakiraPT EXPLAIN????

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shira @kumahumaa

*cutely spits out water * did i just go back in time to when crowjoker was a thing?

— —

freya loves fox @freyabussy

akira CONVINCED goro to sing reboot, you have got to be kidding me rn

*[moneycrying.jpg]*

— —

nez @nezu

@meisdrag0n you owe me 5 dollars

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oonaz @meisdrag0n

replying to @nezu

NAH NAH WDYM THEY ARENT BACK TOGETHER YET

*[whaaaat.gif]*

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***************

While the studio was usually buzzing with activity, the chaos was amplified after the prompt announcement of an album deadline. Akira had barely fathomed the idea of an entire album with a real label, but the world seemed to care little about the pace at which he moved.

They had five months to complete an album marketed as their ‘breakthrough’, and pressure rimmed the edge of Akira’s microphone.

And his sanity.

“Ann, what are you humming?” Futaba inquired, clearly bored with the band’s current status.

“Just some tune I came up with last night, wanna hear it?”

“Sure, I’on see why not, come over here and show me.”

The slow and melancholy tune reverberated from Ann’s voice contrasted with the rich, rock numbers drafted in the album's name. However, Akira upholds the opinion of ‘keeping the audience on their toes, although he could admit the album order was messy and disorderly. He proudly said that’s not his job and he feels sorry for Futaba for having to coordinate through Ryuji’s messy sheet music.

“I was thinking, that y’know, we have all these intense rock songs, which I do love, by the way! But~ I do think there should be something to really pull it all together, of course, you can disagree and I can totally do something different..” Ann paused to articulate her following words, and instead moved her hands in a loose circular motion.

Futaba gave her a knowing look from the table beside her, and quirked her eyebrows up, Morgana trailed across the rear of her neck, “You want to do an interlude.”

“Is that a bad idea? I probably should have talked with the rest of us, but I was too deep into it, it’s only a minute! And plus, Akira’s here,” She gestured towards where Akira was sitting, legs crossed, skim-reading a concept, “He can tell me if it’s a bad idea.”

“Wait what?”

Futaba pushed her pen into the pen pot on the floor, “Yeah, you should’ve, but that’s on you! From my perspective, it’s a good idea but it doesn’t really fit the aesthetic, like you guys had got this whole electronic rock vibe, the lyrics are pretty spot on, I suppose.”

Akira hummed in amusement, “Look at Futaba being all professional, you’re probably more dedicated to this album than half of us.”

“Are you kidding me?” Futaba grunted and whipped her head towards Akira, “If I wasn’t here, you would all be fighting every day! And, I’ll never be as dedicated as that Akechi, barely spoke to the guy but he got a stern look on ‘im.”

“Oh my god, you sound like Sojiro!”

“Do not.”

“Do too, what’s with the floozy dialect?” Akira can’t help teasing Futaba, he would only have one sibling, so why not make the best of it?

“Goro’s just got a stubborn sense of self, he’s a perfectionist in his own way, you can tell when he’s not happy though and I can already hear his eyes boring into me. Although around Akira, it’s almost like he calms down a bit, tell me how you do it!”

Somehow, the topic of Akira and Goro always ended up on his tongue, in a way that felt sugary sweet with each syllable.

The fabled words that come with his name scare Akira every time, but the thrill cupped his cheeks.

Before Akira could bark out a word, Futaba interjects, face flaunting a smug grin, “They probably have some different language between them, although he has known Akechi for about the same time as me so that’s a feat in itself.

Akira scoffed, “Yeah, exactly.” It was too early to create an opinion on Akechi, yet due to the fact the other had implied the importance of first impressions, it felt wrong not to have one.

Creasing her face, Ann shot back, “So are you agreeing or disagreeing with my point?”

“Yesn’t.” Was the reply his mouth came up with.

“What does that even mean?”

“Yesn’t? The fuck?”

*Ok, sure. At least say words, Akira.*

There wasn’t really a word to describe how he and Goro just happened to mesh together as if they had known each other for years.

Except Akira’s pretty sure Goro hates him or at least doesn't really enjoy working with him.

Facing judgement in the face was exhausting nonetheless.

“Yes and no,” He shrugged, “We hit it off, yes, but him acting *better* may be an exaggeration.”

Futaba rolled her eyes dramatically, “Oh fuck off!”

Ann beat on the table, “Guys, we are getting off topic, we doing this interlude or what?”

“Yeah, Akira, we doin’ it or what?”

“Fine, let’s see it then.”

The Phantom Thieves studio was something of an ethereal sight, not from a movie ethereal, but ethereal in a way where everything will bloom from nothing. The carefully crafted leather had seen fights and Eureka moments all the same. A floor of beginning, a floor of end and again.

The party must end eventually.

As the music fades out, just as their relationship does, just as life starts to seem impossible. A studio stays together, even when there’s nobody in it, no sound, only the soft sway of wind and the pathetic fallacy couldn’t seem any more ironic.

It’s fucking dumb.

But Akira always loved a thrill, even if it meant accepting Ann’s interlude and agreeing to place a meeting about it.

— —

Each finger lay precariously on each plastic note, yet the sound came out loud and dramatic with a purpose that rivals that of any human.

Is what Akechi would say if he hadn’t heard the same melody over and over again in an attempt to create the perfect harmonization without the instruments to… well… *harmonize with*.

It must be going swimmingly as the look on Haru’s face mimics that of intensive concentration and paranoia.

The Ego in the Freudian Theory.

One wrong move and the delicate walls become nothing but dust and garnish.

“Crap.”

And we are interrupted to arrive back at square one, a place everyone has been to multiple times, life is cruel as such.

As cold as Akechi would become to his writhing father once he rises to authority and rinses his face off the map. The sight was beautiful, never having to wake up and hear ugly without silliness radio-bait songs created by a man who couldn’t care less about the people he must use to get to the finish line.

A sharp slam pushes Akechi out of his slum.

A turn of the page, “It’s fine, Haru. Just play it again, imagine the song in your head.” She breathes out empathetically, “It doesn’t matter, it’s not that hard.”

She starts again.

“It’s not that- It’s not hard- Just-”

“Haru-”

“It’s not hard. I’m not struggling. Who’s gonna take over dad’s business, huh? If I can’t do this, I can do it alone.”

*Shit*

Each note created a new dynamic world for her, speaking her truth before she could. Goro understood the feeling of inferiority, the feeling that you had to do everything alone, that you would never have the privilege to have anyone beside you because it was brainwashed that you weren’t good enough.

The crescendo ramped up and down just as fast, and the Trojan War ceased. The Greeks won that, shame none of them were Greek.

“Why can’t I just do it right? Why! All this stuff, and I-”

The Id in the Freudian Theory. The base animalistic tendencies people harbour, the flakey bones of apes, and lifestyles sewn into your very being.

To be fully Id, to be met with pure savagery.

Everyone wants your heart, but not **your** heart.

Akechi was always the middleman, someone to come to when you needed something, or required to pass something on, never one for others to project, only one to use.

When faced with a position where someone desperately needs help, and he happens to be the only one around, Akechi shuts.

He’s not the diamond in the rain, after all, shimmering never gave him much justice.

Haru was a diamond, an innocent ray of light, glistening like a beacon of light. Lest to say, nobody could say anything bad, conventionally loved.

Would Haru mind if someone else saw past the conventionally loved mask?

“Haru, I believe that’s enough now.” Akechi utters, pushing his feet off of the stool.

“Ah, Akechi. I apologise for my noise; I just cannot seem to visualise the harmony in my head.”

“Yeah, that’s more than noise when you’re just smashing on the keys.”

Haru sighs, and pushes down the lid of the keyboard, signifying the end of torturous listening of keys smashing and a mixture of indiscriminate electronic beats.

“Sorry, I’ve just, I’ve- got a lot going on right now. Honestly, I thought coming in today would help to ease the stress a bit, but it didn’t really help. Lately, I’ve been just all over the place, I mean- with this album, everything is just everywhere, and nobody knows what’s going on. It’s like all the communication skills we built up over the years just disappeared once an album deadline is hung over our heads. I get everyone is perfecting their bit of the songs, and we have a “system”, but where’s the working together? Meetings can only go so far when people like Makoto, Yusuke and I have no say in how the song is written, or what the lyrics are. The song briefs just turn up on my desk.”

A problem of communication, a band that cannot perfect the art of talking shall be doomed to fail. Akechi was never one for giving advice, however, was always up to rebel against the authority figures forcing society into set rules only created to benefit that sole person.

Akechi eyes the slewn paper, “Are you happy with the Laissez-Faire attitude, just to be left to your own devices?”

“What, no- I mean- Yes?”

“Which one is it?”

“All I want is to have fun, that’s why we started The Phanton Thieves; to make a change and have fun while doing it, we weren’t supposed to be signed to a label and now we have to upkeep this sort of reputation. That’s all good and well, I don’t consider myself to be particularly rowdy, but on top of that, my father has just told me he expects me to take over his record business as he is planning on retiring.”

“Okumura records? I thought your father was quite young.” And one of Shido’s most loyal servants.

She stirred, “Well, yes. My father isn’t exactly old enough to be retiring, but we recently got caught up in a scandal, and now he is required to step down. I shouldn’t be telling you, but I really just need it to get out, and I do trust you, Akechi. Apparently- some person broke into our biggest headquarters and managed to breach into our system and hijack all of our data from the last 6 months, including some of our biggest clients. Obviously, this led to our customers questioning our trust, and most backed out of trades or requested equipment or money back. Frankly, it’s a big mess, and father and I have very few options.”

Akechi had *some* idea what Haru was onto. Okumura Records had never been affiliated with The Phantom Thieves but had stayed on the elite podium with some of the biggest record label companies. Many artists would, unfortunately, have this rigid and squeezable record company to blame for their 15 minutes of fame. Akechi would *kill* to have wrung out Okumura Records for what it's worth, and if anyone got there before him, he would just about-

Akechi digresses.

And he couldn’t believe that disappointment of a man had pushed all of his business problems onto Haru, who couldn’t be described as anything but unfit. Still, bile spilt out of his stomach and crept up the side of his throat, not for empathy’s sake, but for the sheer courage Okumura had subjected himself to after creating a problem and drowning back into the sewer he called home.

*The fucking imbecile.*

“I see. Have you mentioned this to your father? It does seem like something you should have a chat with him about, it doesn’t have to be a pleasant chat. I do not see the reason in which he should begin to rely on you, knowing you have your own affairs, despite not being tied to his label” Akechi flicks his gaze around the room and muttered, “*For good reason.”*

Haru raked a hand through her hair in response to Akechi’s comment, “I’m sure you know my father well due to your, ahem, prior public image, and I’m sure you understand when I say that father is not a very reasonable person, and often prioritizes himself over anyone else's ideas-. I have tried, of course to no avail. “Haru places her hands on her thighs, “I’ll be honest and say, that if Okumura Records was, in fact, placed into my hands, I would either be faced with leaving The Phantom Thieves or disregarding Okumura Records and facing the wrath of father.”

A difficult decision indeed, one that none of The Thieves could relate to,

**Except me.**

An indirect result of poor parenting for business decisions only, hung by chains and shackles with the sham of a father, Shido, front and center, parading around dim, backlit circuses filled with victims. Akechi, the main event, clearly.

While Haru was not held by chains, but instead by thin ropes, still lethal but easy to tear with the correct methods. Ropes will wear with time and will become obsolete. Okumura created a paradise for Haru to indulge in, however, she chose remorse. She chose empathy, removing herself from the ideas expected of her. In that way, they are similar, yet could not be more different.

Haru’s first instinct was not revenge, it was friendship, and it was compassion for her father, even if the presidents put upon her were unfair, she would persist without a word, until her bucket boiled over, scolding herself and her passions.

All those dead flowers become seethed with berating water.