Goro Akechi

[It occurs to Kurama not too long after they finish investigating the body that he'd seen Akechi with half a bagel beforehand, quickly discarded, and that he doesn't think he's seen him with anything since.

Given the position Akechi is in, that's really not going to work. They need him with a clear head. So he passes through some of the still usable parts of the food court to pick up a few things.

Including some mini cinnamon buns for the purposes of bribing their intrepid leader to eat the rest.]

Akechi-san? We should still have a bit of time before the trial. You should eat something.

From:

[He's sitting at a table in the food court, looking things over on his phone. When Kurama approaches, he doesn't even look up from what he's doing until he hears his name.]

Ah, I had something earlier. There's no need to be concerned about me.

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[Just...a terribly unimpressed face that greets Akechi. Kurama pulls out another chair and settles at the table, putting a bag down on it.]

From what I've observed? Half a bagel before this even started. You'll need a clear head for the trial, Akechi-san, and that means food.

[His tone lightens a bit as he opens the bag and pulls out a box from the cinnamon bun place, balancing it lightly on his fingers.] I did bring dessert...

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We...have no way of being certain how long we have before we're called to trial. I really should be focused on familiarizing myself with the evidence...

[He's kind of eyeing those cinnamon buns, though.]

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The evidence that the two of us found a majority of in the first place? The evidence that will still be easily accessible through our phones once the trial begins? The evidence that we began to put together meanings for before we even finished finding it all?

That evidence, Akechi-san?

[Kurama sets the box down out of Akechi's easy reach but very much in his line of sight. He reaches into the bag again and pulls out a hot to-go cup, pushing it across the table. It smells strongly of...peppermint? Then some sushi and other Japanese food, and one or two of the less spicy dishes from Wok This Way.

In all fairness, Kurama is planning to eat, too.]

You'll understand what you're reading better if you've eaten. And I'm sorry to say that I'm holding the cinnamon buns hostage until you've eaten something with actual nutrition.

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How fiendish of you, holding such innocent treats hostage.

[Well, he's managing a joke, so...it's something?]

Honestly, however, I don't have much of an appetite at the moment. It might seem a little strange for a detective, but...being so close to death with such little warning tends to put my stomach on edge.

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It's practically criminal, I know.

[And he gets one in return. Not one he would make to most people, considering he's trying not to draw anyone's attention to that 'demon thief' thing, but Akechi brought it up first and...

Well, it's Akechi.]

I don't think it's that strange, even if you are a detective, Akechi-san. I brought the peppermint tea because it has a calming effect on upset stomachs. Try it.

From:

[It's not like Kurama's the only one here with something questionable on his profile, right?

He takes the tea with a faint smile.]

Does it? It seems I've learned something new, then. Thank you.

[Look, he's actually drinking it! ~~And it isn't even coffee.~~]

From:

[Far from it. And Kurama will count even a faint smile as a victory given the circumstances.]

It's no trouble. I know a great deal about plants in general. Rather similarly to Ursula's talents for astrology.

[Good. Kurama looks pleased as Akechi actually drinks it. Akechi will also get some of the food nudged in his direction after a moment. Not the Wok stuff, though.]

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[After sipping down some of the tea, he actually does reach for the sushi! It might be conveyor belt, but it's still good.]

Are your talents in that regard magical as well, then?

From:

[Kurama is just tallying up the minor victories today. Akechi is eating, that is a win.

And yes that is what he was hinting at. He will take one of the Wok dishes for himself and take a pensive bite before saying it outright, though.]

They are. A markedly different type than Ursula wields, I think, and yet my personal style is similar in enough ways that... a certain object of mine reminded her of a wand.

From:

[ It's after Akira has taken some time to make a final round of checking on everyone, he sneaks away to have a moment to himself...

Just to... breathe.

It's after he's sure he's gathered enough composure, he begins heading up to the bedrooms. On the way, he's sending a message to The Coffee: ]

Hey...
Mind meeting me in my room?

[ It's most likely that he'll already be in there by the time Goro has a chance to reply. He leaves his door cracked and heads over to lie down on his bed, feet planted on the floor.

He's... not sure how he feels about what might come after what he's gonna be asking about... ]

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I would imagine a demon's magic to be quite different from a witch's. Unless you're going to say your profile was being unusually metaphorical?

From:

[Akechi, meanwhile, has absolutely no clue what Akira plans to ask him about. It's not like private 'conversations' are new by this point, after all.]

Alright. Is there anything you'd like me to bring?

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...I imagine I could come up with something a bit more convincing than that. But no. I won't insult your intelligence, particularly at a time like this. My profile is as accurate as anyone else's.

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[ Ah...

He feels... kind of bad. It's probably already an awful misunderstanding to have in this kind of situation. ]

Just yourself.
I guess it's my turn to invite you over to talk about something serious.

From:

You know, there are a few individuals claiming their profiles are inaccurate. But, I think those are either cases of attempting to guard a secret, or lost memories confusing matters.

[He drinks some more of his tea, looking at Kurama over the rim of the cup.]

All things considered, I take it you're of the Eastern variety, rather than the more narrow Western definition?

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[Oh. That's. Not good. He might be picking up his pace at this point...]

Is everything alright?

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If you're worried something happened... I'm fine.
I just have something I need to ask you about in private.

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[This is where he mutters something very counter to his polite image under his breath. It's probably about that subject he's been deflecting from...and he still hasn't figured out a good excuse. And after that discussion during the trial...it's a good thing he's made it to an empty area, since the nervous laugh he gives isn't entirely steady.]

I guess I couldn't put it off forever, huh?
Alright. I'm almost there.

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[ Shit...

This is already giving him a... pretty bad feeling down his spine. Considering the way Goro acted during the trial, when Akira had mentioned his thoughts on people being threatened into murder...

The scars he didn't want to talk about...

His own father is threatening him...

And why would Goro be putting something off...? Does it mean he was actually... afraid of what the outcome would be...? ]

I'll see you soon, then.

I'm not angry, Goro.
Just tell me the truth.

From:

I think the same. Ever since we realized we were missing memories, my assumption has been that the things on my own profile that confuse me are something of that sort.

[Akechi gets a quiet, not entirely genuine chuckle as Kurama takes another bite of his food.]

My hair color aside, I am Japanese. Yes, I'm certainly of the Eastern variety.

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That is one of my considerations, but wouldn't have been enough on its own. I'm hardly an expert on other worlds, it's possible that one exists where the Western concept is the only one that's true.

I must admit, though, I'm quite curious. If I've ever encountered proof of the supernatural in my own world, I've forgotten about it, so magic is a complete mystery to me outside of what I've seen here.

From:

[He'll wait to see if he hears 'I'm not angry' after he does tell him the truth. There's no answer to the text for a couple minutes, at which point Goro steps into the room with a sigh.]

I knew you were bright, Akira-kun. I take it this is about the questions I've been avoiding until now?

From: