awashlogs | Event Eight.

The same kind of detective I would be, if I didn't enjoy a good challenge.

[ It's a reply that comes easy enough, much like his own chuckle-- almost too easy, so much that Akechi has to do a double take at his reaction. The lighthearted banter, the atmosphere, even the poorly disguised smiles... it's all so familiar, and so nostalgic all the same, like something he had long since given up on. But it's all still here, still within his grasp, and the closest thing to realhe's ever had.

For a moment, he allows his thoughts to wander, to reach for hypotheticals like he hardly ever did, to wonder how much more he could have if he kept his mask off, if he could stay forever in the one place where he could be himself. And for just that fleeting second, he thinks that maybe even he could still be... something close to happy.

He never thought coffee could make him feel so warm inside. ]

But, speaking of thieves... Do you think taking all of this would qualify as a heist?

[ For someone in law enforcement, he doesn't really sound all that opposed to it. ]

Don't get morals on me now, Akechi.

[But Akira is smiling, glad at the easy turn the conversations has taken. It's nice like this, and he hopes days like this will be many, as they go on.]

But even if this were really taking the coffee from Leblanc... I think Boss would understand, if he knew what was going on.

[Anything that can make the town a little brighter, a little cheerier... and as he thinks like that, about how happy and relaxed he and Akechi are here, how his friends were here, an idea starts to grow.]

...Why don't I use it to make my own cafe?

[ Akechi only huffs a chuckle at Akira's banter, but then he talks about Sojiro and Leblanc, and he can't help but let his memories take over, take him back to the peaceful evenings he'd spent over. Wouldn't it be nice if they could have-- ]

... your own cafe?

[ ... huh, that was odd, to be this in sync with Akira-- well, with anyone, really, but especially him. Not a bad odd, though.

With a hum, he leans in over the counter, elbow on the surface and chin on his hand as he glances over the various blends of coffee available. It's definitely quite the hefty selection, but even that couldn't last forever, and it's not like they had reliable access to coffee at the time, either, but... ]

Even assuming you'll have Leblanc's entire stock at your disposal, you might have to manage it carefully. Perhaps only allowing one cup per customer? Or alternating business days...

[ Well. Not that he has any say in it, of course-- that would all be up for Akira to decide. Besides, he doesn't mean to sound discouraging, either, so, as an attempt to fix things, he adds: ]

But, I suppose you're in luck. [ A subtle giggle. ] I hear real state is fairly affordable in this area.

[Of course Akechi has to hit him with the logistics. Akira knows it's foolish, to think something like this can work without any sort of supply chain, and he's on the verge of dismissing the idea entirely when Akechi speaks up again.

(That giggle shouldn't be so cute.)]

...I know it would be hard, but maybe we'll find a way to make coffee. The town will give us beans for planting, or something like that...

[Maybe a miracle will come. But for now, he waves the long term away; even if it's only for a little while, he thinks it will be nice.]

But you're right. [And he smiles.] Finding a good location should be easy.

...Cleaning it up, though... [That'll be harder.]

[ And of course, Akira has to hit him right back with that blind optimism, the hoping against hope that everything will miraculously work out in the end. They truly are polar opposites like that, so different on a fundamental level that Akechi really has to wonder if there's any way for them to sustain that tentative friendship.

... Then again, isn't that how they balance each other out? ]

I don't think Leblanc's attic was in any inhabitable condition when you arrived, yet you've managed to make it your home. I'm fairly certain you can pull it off.

[ There's a beat, and he takes a purposefully timed sip of his coffee to give himself a few extra seconds to consider his next words. ]

... Although I suppose an extra pair of hands would help.

[ Akechi's hands, maybe? ]

[That's true, it wasn't, nor was Akira's home in Chroma before he, Yata, and Guren cleaned it all up. So he certainly has experience in that department, but...

Well, Kawakami did complain about his cleaning skills for a reason.

His eyes widen slightly at Akechi's offer, and he rubs the back of his neck.]

You don't have to do that... but... I'd appreciate help, if you're up for it.

[Maybe Akechi didn't mean himself, but then who else could he be volunteering?]

[ Yes, well, Kawakami was right, Akira's cleaning skills really were less than impressive-- you know, being attic trash and all that. And that's exactly why Akechi is the most appropriate person to help him.

Although maybe he does have some ulterior motives, too. ]

Let's just call it my payment for the coffee.

[ Said with a shrug of a single shoulder, and a smile that's trying very hard to be like his usual charismatic self, but still tinted with a bit of a sheepish flair. Like things aren't quite fully back to normal just yet, but close enough. ]

Besides, a cafe might make for an even better place to gather intel. The forum is useful, but hardly as organic as face to face interaction-- tone, inflection and body language can all be vital sources of information, you see.

[ And there they are, his ulterior motives. Or at least a part of them. ]

[Some ulterior motive, alright. Akira raises an eyebrow, looking a bit skeptical.]

What do you need intel about?

[Last time he checked, the only real crime in Chroma to solve is who murdered him, and he and Akechi both know who the culprit in that case was. If he wants intel on why this is happening, well, none of the other villagers know more than the two of them.

So he's curious.]

[ Oh, but there's so much more get intel about than just crimes, even if the rest of the villagers know nothing about this world. Like the time Akechi got a message from the dead, and had nothing but sheer luck to rely on in order to find another who had allegedly returned, and ask invasive question after invasive question, as resolute as he was ruthless, all for the sake of finding the truth.

But he can't tell Akira that, not when they're just now trying to fall back into a more familiar pace, easier, without that constant reminder of death and pain and tension between them. He can never tell him how involved he got, not at all like the professional behavior one might expect from the Ace Detective, but far too personally invested.

He can never tell him how much it hurt, either. ]

Nothing in particular, at the moment. [ Another half shrug, and that choice of words is about as much of the truth as he can say without revealing too much; at the moment, though there has definitely been a topic of interest, before. ] However, strange events are commonplace in this Town, and even without that in mind, there's no kind of knowledge that isn't power. It never hurts to be well informed.

[ And he's going to drop this conversation right here, before he lets his mouth run and he lets compromising information slip. ]

That aside, a cafe is simply a good place to relax even when I'm off duty, so to speak. It's the kind of ambiance I rather enjoy.

[ Ulterior motives, part 2. The catch? It's not just the ambiance that he likes. ]

[Well, Akira supposes he has a point. He sometimes got information from the bar and Leblanc as well, information that was important for their quests in Mementos.

So he can at least understand where Akechi is coming from on that... until he suddenly seems to abort that line of thought. That's a bit curious...

He doesn't ask though.]

You always did say you could be yourself in Leblanc... always seemed more relaxed there, too.

[Akira could relax here, too; as it became more and more his home, he felt safe and happy here. He thinks he's going to miss it, when he eventually has to go home...

But that's a long time from now.]

That's what I want to bring to you, and everyone in Chroma.

[ There's a slight arch of his eyebrows when Akechi realizes Akira had noticed that much about him, little secrets spilled in between subtleties he never really intended to display. Apparently, there are things even he isn't very good at lying about; contentment, however small it might be, seems to be high on that list. ]

A place where everyone can relax, is it...? [ There's a hum as he considers the thought, followed by a smile, nostalgic and understanding. ] I can think of no one better suited for the job.

[ The fact that he can give even Akechi some small measure of peace is a testament to Akira's skill. ]

Do you plan on serving curry, as well? We could take some condiments and ingredients, if you do.

Having the spices would be nice... I'm getting tired of bland food...

[Limited spices in Chroma mean most of what he's been eating has to rely on its natural flavor, and some of it doesn't have a lot of that. He'd like to take some of the spices, for that reason.]

I know a lot of people like curry back in town, anyway. And we have most of the other ingredients I need there.

[It's starting to come together in his mind. Coffee and curry; Sojiro's tried and true menu. He might have to only allow one serving to each person a day to make it last, and even then it won't last long, but for the time it does he thinks it will be a good thing.]

Maybe we should make a list.

Why do I get the feeling you're the type to have a preference for extra spicy flavors...?

[ This one is just a suspicion, albeit a rather strong one-- it would match Akira's penchant for danger. Perhaps having limited supplies would force him to keep it mild. ]

Regardless, I do think keeping a list might be a good idea. [ That said, Akechi sets his cup of coffee aside and reaches for his jacket pocket, withdrawing a pencil and a small notebook with his trademark "A" signature on the cover. Setting it on the counter, he scribbles down a few words and then looks up at Akira, expectantly. ]

Do you have all the ingredients in mind? Or would you rather take a look around first?

[He shrugs. Maybe he does like spicy, maybe he doesn't (he does). He'll have to make the Volcano for Akechi sometime...

He can't help but smirk at that notebook. Does Akechi get that A printed on everything...?]

I'll look around first. We should prioritize things that have a lot of uses but will be hard to get in Chroma.

[So spices used in a lot of recipes, for example.]

[ This is it, isn't it? Akechi's punishment for killing him.

Akechi's hand pauses on the notebook, his eyes narrowing down at Akira's suggestion. He really doesn't know the first thing about recipes and cooking, so he's probably not going to be a lot of help here. ]

I'm afraid my culinary knowledge is far too limited to be of any assistance, so I think it's best if I leave you to handle that list.

[ And so he places the pencil inside the notebook before closing it and sliding it over to Akira. Still, he doesn't want to sit around and be useless so, hmm... ]

In the meantime, perhaps I can figure out a way to carry your stock more efficiently. I believe I saw a cardboard box in the attic, if you wouldn't mind using that?

Yeah. You can just dump my stuff out of it.

[Yes, he still lives out of a cardboard box. He doesn't really have anywhere to put clothes that won't end up covered in dust.

But there's no real guarantee that the stuff here is really his. He'll probably return home one day to find it all right back in the box where he left it.

So he slides the notebook over toward himself, idly opening it to where Akechi's pencil is placed while he turns to look at Sojiro's spice rack.]

[ Akechi gives him a bit of a frown, unsure about Akira's instructions. Even though they might be just an illusion, the idea of dumping his few belongings around just feels... not right, somehow. ]

I'll try to find a good spot to leave them, in case you decide to come back for something later.

[ That said, he stands up from his seat and heads towards the stairs, but stops before he can take the first step up. It's a weird feeling, almost like when you leave home and get the impression that you're forgetting something important behind, and he does give Akira a second glance but... Hmm. ]

I won't be long.

[ It's what he chooses to say instead, before heading to the attic. Surely that must be all in his head. ]

...Thanks.

[Akira really did mean it, that he didn't mind if Akechi just dumped his things and was done with it, but the fact that he's actually going to do something with them is really nice. It makes Akira feel... well, content.

He's felt content since he came here. And that's a good feeling.

He looks over Sojiro's spices and the ingredients he has on shelves and in fridges, taking note of what looks important and what they might be able to get or substitute in town. He's working pretty industriously until in reaching for something on a high shelf he accidentally lets the notebook slip out of his hand.

He retrieves what he was reaching for, then bends to retrieve the notebook. In its fall he lost his page, and as he's sifting through to find it again, something in Akechi's handwriting catches his eye.

Dextera reported coming back to life.

He pauses, staring at the line. He knows he shouldn't, this is Akechi's personal notebook and he shouldn't look through it, but now that he's seen it he can't stop himself. He skims the page, his eyes widening.

It's clear what this is. Akechi was researching the circumstances around his death. It seems he questioned Dextera extensively.

He was trying to find out if it was real.]

[ As soon as he makes it to the attic, Akechi grabs the box with Akira's belongings and places it on his makeshift bed, then takes another look around; he could make some room on the shelves, but then they would definitely be left to collect dust, depending on how long they would remain behind.

Eventually, he decides the best place to leave them is on the bed itself and just cover them with a blanket, but as he starts to take the out of the box one by one, he finds himself fighting the urge to hold on to them a little longer, a little closer-- and even from this distance, he can still get a whiff of that unmistakable scent of coffee, still permeating every stitch and thread. For an illusion, this is certainly awfully detailed.

Once he reaches for the last item - Akira's summer uniform - he presses it against his own chest for a second too long, under the pretense of dusting it off and straightening it out with his hand before folding it into a perfectly neat square, then deposits it on the mattress with the rest of Akira's now equally arranged belongings. Lastly, the blanket that Akira keeps by the edge of his bed is unfolded and draped over them. That should take care of it.

For someone who said he wouldn't be long, he sure took his sweet time patting and inspecting Akira's possessions. Just... doing a thorough job again. ]

Sorry for the wait! [ He calls out from the stairs, a now empty cardboard box in tow. ] It took me a short while to figure out what to do with your belongings, but I do believe I came up with a good solution...

[ Hopefully Akira isn't still peeking at his notes by the time he actually makes it back to the kitchen... ]

[He isn't; by the time Akechi reappears, he's flipped back to the page he was using and is finishing up his list of what to take. Though the words he's read buzz in his mind; he almost misses what Akechi is saying to him at first.]

Hm? Oh. [And he hopes Akechi takes that distraction as Akira being absorbed in his task.] Thanks. That'll work great.

[He wonders what Akechi did with his stuff that took him so long; he'll have to go look later. For now, he comes over to the counter and sets down the notebook, open to the list so Akechi can see it too.]

The bags of coffee are heavier than the rest of this stuff, so we should start there. Make sure the box isn't going to break and nothing will get crushed.

[ He does notice how Akira seems mildly distracted, claiming the solution he came up with will work great even though Akechi hasn't even explained what that was, but he chalks it up to being engrossed in his task. The guy probably did miss the cafe a lot, after all.

So he doesn't say anything on the matter, and instead takes his usual seat back as he gives the list a cursory glance. It does sound like quite a lot, and they only have the one box... ]

Is there anything we can use to make the box more resistant? Perhaps wrap it in duct tape?

That might work... I think we have some around here...

[He goes into the little alcove in the back, rummaging around on the shelves and in drawers. Finally he returns, holding up what looks like packing tape.]

This'll probably work, you think?

[He sets it down on the counter next to the box, then leans forward to look at his own list again. A little into Akechi's space, now.]

Maybe I picked too much... we can start smaller.

[ That is definitely moving into his personal bubble, and Akechi half turns to give him a look in mild surprise, but otherwise doesn't say anything on the matter. It is the only way for them both to go over that list, anyway... ]

Hmm, I believe that will work just fine. As for starting smaller, though...

[There's a hum, and he brings a hand to his chin. He knows he said they may take several trips doing this, but now that he's given it more thought, another hypothesis has come to mind. ]

Have you considered the possibility this illusion might not be here a second time? We have been running into them for a couple of days now, and there's no telling when they'll disappear. A single trip might be all we get.

...That's true. We can't take anything for granted in this place.

[The idea that the shop will be gone soon, possibly any moment, pains him in a way he isn't expecting. Maybe it's just the homesickness he's been feeling every now and then now amplified by being in this place, but he doesn't want to see it go away. Wants to go up to the attic and sleep and have the cafe still be here in the morning.

That would be nice. But with the way things have gone so far, he doubts that's the case.

So he nods, determined.]

Then we'll have to take as much as we can.

[ There's some mild hesitation from Akira, and Akechi doesn't let it go amiss, but... is it really his place to ask? Probably not. ]

We can always return at a later time, of course, but I do believe it is best to be safe than sorry.

[ Under different circumstances, this would be just the kind of situation in which Akechi would try to offer some reassurance in the shape of an awkward shoulder squeeze, and his hand even moves over the counter out of instinct, though halts and closes into a fist before it ever has the chance to proceed very far. Definitely not his place. ]

Are you all finished with selecting what you wish to take? If not, I can get started on the box in the meantime.

Event Eight.

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