Chapter Text
Akira was living his best life right now. Months ago when he was supposed to return home after the year in Tokyo, he had successfully convinced his friends to take him back to Leblanc where he belonged. His love for Futaba, for his friends, for his life in Tokyo overshadowed his previous life. He couldn't return to a home that did not love him as much as they did. His old friends turned their backs to him in his hometown. Evidence 'pointed' against him. They supposedly had an eyewitness after all. Extended family pretended he wasn't a part of the family to avoid the disgrace. His own parents sent him away and told him to behave himself and not get into anymore trouble like he had been a delinquent all his life. His own flesh and blood who he thought knew him best refused to comfort him during the false trial that stained his name. No one questioned the authorities and listened to his pleas of innocence. No one reached out to check up on him either while he was in Tokyo. Even his parents refused to send a message or anything. Why should he want to go back? After Shido's trial exonerated him, he didn't feel any sense of relief when he received countless emails and messages from his old friends about reconnecting. His family was ready to bring him back in and move on with a clean slate. Like it was so simple. Like they believed him all this time. He ignored it all. They wanted him to have a clean slate? Fine, he would do it on his own terms.
Even before the allegations, he didn't realize how much he hated his old life. Who knew that his punishment ended up liberating him?
Sojiro nearly dropped a mug he was cleaning when he saw Akira come back in with all of his luggage. One look was all he needed to know. He made a joke about charging him rent eventually before stepping out to take a call. Akira didn't mean to hear him through the attic window as he was resetting all of his things back in order.
"He's staying...yep, that's what I said," said Sojiro over the phone. He waited as he was spoken to and nodded. "The deal was a year, yes. Yes, I remembered you paying me. I'll give it back if it's that big of a deal."
He was already tired of the conversation, it seemed. He was even flabbergasted by whatever was said next.
"I can't kick him out, that's cruel even for me. The court said he had to complete a year of probation, that's technically where court authority stops. He finished the year as decided, they don't decide where he lives after. It wasn't included in the documents, therefore he can't be forced to return. That's on him and he wants to stay. You can take me to court for kidnapping, but it doesn't mean anything because he's old enough to make his own decisions." He was firm on this stance and refused to hear further. That's when Akira realized that he was talking with his parents.
"That's on you guys to convince him. He's a good kid. I see him like my own. He leaves if he wants to, not because you could convince me." With that, he hung up and went back inside Leblanc. Akira quickly acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, dusting off his shelf as Sojiro slowly walked upstairs. His look of conviction rooted Akira to the spot.
"You're more than welcome to stay. If you plan on leaving one day, you can. Just don't think of running off without saying goodbye." The older man seemed very adamant on that. Akira didn't think he was planning on leaving any time soon.
He didn't regret it. He started his third year at Shujin with Ryuji in his class this time. Makoto and Haru graduated and started working and taking classes for their career choices. He saw them often during the gang's regular meet ups a few times a month. Futaba started her first year with them in their uniform. It looked way better on her than expected and Akira was glad for it. Lots of guys looked Futaba's way, but quickly looked away when they felt the aura of someone ready to kill. The two would disappear to the roof to eat lunch and kiss without rumors spreading around.
Akira was home. He had his chosen family. He had Futaba. Even after he graduated, he wasn't thinking of leaving anytime soon. He was going to train under Sojiro and take over Leblanc one day. He will marry Futaba. They'd probably have at least five children with at least one of them named after a video game character. Maybe all five with one daughter named after her mother. The future was shaping and Akira was letting his dreams forge his path.
After a particularly stressful day with first round midterms ending, Akira landed on his back in bed. He didn't remember when he changed to loungewear, but he had and he was grateful for it now that he was fully in comfort mode. It was tough being top ten in class. Futaba made it seem flawless by her perfect score even though she would barely study. Damn photographic memory. But her valiant efforts in tutoring the group even in higher level subjects compared to her own managed to keep Ryuji out of the failing category. Akira would be sure to take her out on a great date later when he found energy again. He saved up plenty for her and could afford a fancy sushi date along with a shopping spree at Akihabara. And they could take Morgana to get some sushi. Morgana was curled sleepily in a corner of the bed and was intent on staying there unless he needed to move. Before Akira could drift into an after-school nap, his phone was going off. Morgana groaned.
"Why is there always a bother when we try to get some sleep around here?" he complained. Akira's exams stressed him out too. Akira had to agree. This happened almost every time.
He took a glance and frowned when he realized it wasn't any of his contacts.
It was a number he didn't recognize. Spam was his initial thought. But Futaba made an app on his phone that immediately directed spam calls or robo-solicitors to sex hotlines. This was an actual person trying to call him. Thinking nothing of it, he swiped to answer and held it up to his ear.
"Hello...?" he answered quietly. A muffled sob rang out from the other line, which he wasn't expecting. He froze when the other person finally spoke.
"A-Akira..." a woman's voice whimpered out. He sat upright, feeling his heart drop to his stomach. He hadn't heard that voice in months.
"...Mom?" he replied tentatively. Beside him, Morgana stiffened. Why was she calling him? He hadn't spoken to her in a few months since they initially bothered him after staying. Every call he had with his parents ended in a fight, so he chose to not call back and blocked their numbers to keep their guilting texts and voicemails at bay. They probably had new phones to call him with.
His mother took a minute to compose herself. "Hi, honey. Why haven't you called us? We miss you."
His mouth tasted bitter. She was always like this, selectively forgetting why they weren't talking. Even as a kid, she would claim that she wouldn't remember hurting his feelings or made up excuses as to why she did something that upset him. When he announced that he wasn't returning home, she said she had no idea why he felt so bitter about his hometown that he wouldn't come back. He snapped back about the ass of a trial he had been forced through, but she said it was because they had evidence against him. She also claimed she always believed him, but that was just something she said to try to placate him to not be upset at her. She didn't like it when he was visibly upset because it got the neighbors talking.
"...because neither you nor Dad stopped trying to convince me to come back," he forced out, already seething. Her memories always needed a jog. He heard a quick intake of breath.
"Akira, you're our only child. My boy. We didn't want you to never come home again." Her voice was shaky, like she was trying to convince herself rather than him. He scoffed.
"Sure felt like it. I never got a phone call, a letter, a text, nothing. Really felt the love there, Mom." How else do you show love other than abandonment? He should consider taking notes.
He heard her sigh in disappointment. "Akira, please. We keep arguing about this-"
He couldn't hold it in anymore. Once again, he had to tell her why they always argued and why he was always mad.
"Because you never said you believed me! You actually believed a stranger over your own son! You and Dad couldn't wait to get rid of me! I heard you the night before I left!" He hadn't told them that he knew because he just wanted to live his life rather than think about the past. His heart was racing, holding back frustrated tears as he remembered the night when he overheard his parents talking from the kitchen.
-The Aftermath of the Court Decision-
He had been dragging his feet over packing. He was supposed to be sleeping right now, which is what he told his parents. If they found out he hadn't finished packing, they would yell and belittle him again like they did when they brought him home from the courthouse. He still wasn't able to process that this is what he had been forced to do by the court. He couldn't imagine stuffing his life into a box and moving far away on his own with dozens of his friends, family and neighbors hating him. Yet here he was.
Quiet murmurs had reached his ears when he left his door open while packing things from the bathroom to his box.
"I can't believe he would hurt someone like that. He could've killed somebody! He should be grateful that the court just gave him probation and not jail." That was what his father said. Kazuma Kurusu was a renowned doctor in their small town. It was a huge blotch on the family's reputation when the supposed assault came to light. He knew his father was disappointed, but he never had been so vocal. Of course, when you think someone isn't watching, the full truth comes out.
When Akira had stepped into the doorway to listen further, he heard his mother, Aika, sighing.
"His impulsiveness comes from you, Kazuma. I just don't know why he butted into someone else's business."
His father was seething. "Who else does he get it from but you, Aika? You gossip all the time with the rest of those drama-loving women! How did it feel having it the other way around?" he bit back.
Aika scoffed. "Why should I be talked about over something I had no control over? What Akira did is affecting us too! My family won't even talk to me like I told him to do something! They refuse to believe that we had nothing to do with this!"
Kazuma sighed exasperatedly. He went to calm his wife down.
"He's going away in the morning. We'll all have time to heal as long as Akira behaves himself for the year."
Aika nearly wailed in disbelief. "'Behaves himself?' If he couldn't behave himself in a small place like this, what makes you think he won't run rampant with those city rats in Tokyo?"
He felt his heart crumble apart. It had already been stabbed and torn earlier from the cold stares from his old friends and the judging whispers he could hear behind his back. Did...did they really think of that from him? Hadn't he always been obedient? His grades were great. He tried helping others as much as he could without asking for much in return. Yet this one thing, out of complete character if they actually thought about it, shattered their image of him. They no longer saw him as their son. They already called him a criminal.
When morning came, Akira barely remembered saying goodbye to his parents. He hadn't cried, he didn't feel anything. He just felt empty and bitter. He went by himself to the train station and fell into a dreamless sleep as he waited to be taken to Tokyo.
During the first night after Sojiro left Leblanc, Akira turned on his pillow and wept soundlessly.
Aika was choking back sobs when he lost his temper, but froze suddenly when she heard what he had to say. He told her everything he had heard. Word for word. The words never left his memory so it was easy to repeat. She trembled.
"Y-you heard..." No excuse to defend herself. No gaslighting him and claiming she never said that or that he heard wrong. That was a first. He never said anything on this caliber before. Akira's attitude had changed dramatically. He didn't stay silent anymore and spoke his mind freely. Tokyo had something to do with it, along with no-nonsense Sojiro and blunt Futaba. His experiences as a Phantom Thief did wonders. He sighed, feeling more exhausted than he had been during the exams.
"Yes, I heard. Don't call me back again, Mom. I'm sorry I yelled at you." He wasn't cruel. He was just tired. Physically, mentally and emotionally. He hung up while she was trying to stop him. With a few quick types, he blocked the number she used to call him.
Morgana hadn't moved during the whole conversation. When he finally stirred, Akira jolted.
"I'm sorry, Morgana. I shouldn't have yelled like that." The cat didn't seem bothered.
"With your past and the treatment you were given, can I really blame you?" he asked. He scratched behind his ear with a foot. "I'm gonna head downstairs and let you have some space."
He hopped off the bed and dashed down the attic. Akira sighed and lied back down, but bolted back upright again. Futaba's bug in the café. She didn't use it to spy on him anymore, but it was often used to call her over when dinner was ready. He cleared his throat.
"...Futaba? Were you listening?" he called out. No response from his phone. Maybe she hadn't heard? No, she got home around the same time he did and said she'd work on an emulator for old games that they could play together on the PC she helped build with him. Worried that he upset her, he immediately called her and was glad when she answered without a ring.
"Futaba?" he asked softly. She took a minute before she replied.
"I-I'm sorry. Once I heard yelling, I took my headphones off." His heart went weak. So she had heard. He must've reminded her of the ugly accusations and insults from her family. He swore to never make her cry or upset like this when he spoke to Sojiro about his rules for dating Futaba. He broke his promise.
"I understand. I'm sorry for yelling," he apologized, ignoring his anger toward his parents and fretting over his love. She was heard humming in disapproval.
"You weren't yelling at me, so you don't need to apologize. Are you okay?" she asked tentatively. He sighed, lying back in bed.
"Come over so we can talk. Think I need some cuddling after," he added. Cuddling with Futaba was more relaxing that a massage from Kawakami. He heard rustling in the background.
"Coming!" she called out. She must've flown off her computer chair. He smirked, already feeling better.
"So suggestive," he teased. She hung up on him immediately.
He didn't have to wait long for her, but she took a little more time than when she would run over to eat with him. When he heard her clamoring up the stairs, he turned and saw her dumping a load of snacks on the table. He got up to greet her, but stopped when she turned to him with her arms open and a determined look in her eyes.
"Before you start, preemptive strike!" She charged and tackled him in a hug. He fell back into bed, nearly hitting the back of his head against the wall if he hadn't caught himself. He maneuvered them until he was lying appropriately in bed while she rested on top of him. Smiling softly, he wrapped his arms around her and sighed deeply in relief.
"Hmm..." he moaned, enjoying how she pressed against him intimately. There was always a joke in the group that Futaba's assets were nonexistent in the chest, but he didn't care. She was a perfect fit in his arms. She popped her head up after a minute.
"Recharge done?" she asked. He shook his head.
"Nope. Need more." He flipped them over so he was on top of her, sliding down so he could rest his head against her chest. "We can talk while we cuddle."
She didn't seem to mind. "Okay!"
"Those insufferable NPCs!" The rage of Futaba was front and center in his room. She was pacing his room and shouting off about how much she disliked Akira's old friends and family.
"You're scaring my customers up there!" Sojiro scolded loudly. That was a lie and both of them knew it. The customers had left long ago. Akira sighed and ignored Sojiro.
"Yes, I know. Come back here and cuddle with me." He was glad that she was upset for him though. Now he could focus on receiving her attention rather than the attention of people he wished would let him move on. She returned to his arms and was pouting.
"I'll love you more than they ever will! I'm not going to let them take your happiness away!" she declared. She always said the right things that put his heart back together. He pressed a kiss against her temple as he patted her head.
"If you're by my side, then my happiness won't ever leave me." God, he loved this girl. Futaba and his romance rapidly developed in the past few months, but they hit obstacles here and there. She sighed in disappointment.
"I wish I could make you happier. I wish I wasn't such a fragile dunce in bed. If only I weren't such a freaking Boo when you look at me like that. You know what I mean," she murmured. They were teenagers. They had raging hormones. He could look at her in a way that got her hot and bothered. When they decided to take the next step in their relationship with proper protection, she tried to bite down her tears when it hurt. She wanted desperately to be one with him, but the pain was unreal. He had realized what he was doing and pulled out, but she was ashamed of herself. He didn't need her to give her body in that way to him to be happy. They had other ways and he wanted to make sure she was ready.
"You always make me happy, Futaba. We'll take our time and get there." She cried out in sorrow and clung onto him, pressing her lips against his before pulling away when he was about to enjoy it.
"I'm going to cuddle and kiss you extra from now on!" she decreed. He had no argument against that.
He told his friends in the group chat about the phone call and his phone erupted with rings from the messages springing on the screen. Pure, unadulterated rage from Ryuji and Ann, the group's blonde power couple. Disappointment from Yusuke who announced that he felt how distraught Akira was and would translate that into art. Sure. Pity and empathy from Haru and Makoto.
'You don't owe them shit!' texted Ryuji. 'I'll watch your back if they even think of comin' around here!'
Count on Ryuji to keep guard.
'Same! I can't believe they'd act like nothing happened! Idiots, EVERYTHING happened!' Ann's anger was reflective of everyone else's.
'I suggest laying low if you receive word of their arrival in Tokyo. I can only imagine underhanded tactics they'd use to convince you to return.' After his message, Yusuke included several studios Akira could use if he needed a hiding spot.
'If you feel harassed, I can speak to my sister about establishing a restraining order.' Thank you, Makoto.
'And I can help pay if you need assistance! It's the least I can do,' offered Haru. His friends would do more for him than his old ones. He wondered if they were friends or acquaintances. Looking back, he felt nothing for them when they shunned him.
Futaba was by his side as the group texted. She was very adamant on giving him as much love as she could and he wasn't about to reject any of it.
"We're your family now. And Sojiro too! I'm sure if you told him, he'd understand and want to keep you safe!" she added. A voice clearing had the two looking over at the stairs. Sojiro was looking plenty annoyed.
"I heard. And I just received a phone call from your dad about how he wants to drag you back and make your apologize for making your mom cry."
Futaba scoffed. "So when they do that, are they gonna apologize for making him cry?" she asked, pointing at Akira. He smiled warmly at her. She never failed to make him feel loved.
Sojiro rubbed the back of his neck. "Probably not. Lay low, will ya? They know where Leblanc is."
Futaba brightened. "Have him sleep in my room with me! That way they can't sneak up on him!"
That idea was way more alluring to Akira. Avoid his parents and spend time with Futaba. The best sort of situation. Sojiro glared.
"Absolutely not. We've got a couch. And if I hear any sort of walking up or down the stairs at night, you're both grounded!" he threatened. They put their head downs and mumbled that they understood.
Sojiro sighed. They were both good kids, but they were still kids to him. Akira was family to him just like Futaba was. That meant Sojiro would do whatever it took to keep Akira safe.
The next few days were relatively tense. Akira couldn't stay long in Leblanc after school since he was worried his parents would show up unannounced. The couch wasn't a bad spot to sleep in since Sojiro's was like having a second bed. Futaba hacked into their bank records to find out if any of them purchased a train ticket or anything like that to travel. But Akira didn't want her worrying over him because she got upset thinking about their cruelty. Instead, he made her play games with him, cuddle, and kiss in the kitchen while making dinner.
Their friends dropped by every so often to case the town and make sure there weren't any signs of his parents lurking around. Morgana made a joke that he wouldn't be surprised if his parents could be found in the Metaverse, but Akira was glad they could no longer check. Still, it was worrisome. But Akira didn't care. He'd fight tooth and nail to stay.
When he was helping out at Leblanc, his phone rang noisily. A number he didn't recognize. He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Could it be...? Sojiro didn't bother to look up from his pour.
"Outside, kid. You know the rules."
Nodding, Akira walked out of the door and answered with his back against the window.
"Mom," he answered, fairly certain it was her. His dad knew better than to call because the two would have shouting matches in two seconds. At least with his mother, it was two minutes.
"...honey, have you been well?" she asked. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as a headache slammed him between the eyes.
"I asked you not to call me anymore," he reminded from their last conversation.
She whimpered. "I am your mother, Akira. You can't expect me to just be okay with never speaking to you again."
He rolled his eyes. "Yet you expect me to be okay with just letting anything happen to me. But what is it that you want?" he asked, forcing himself to be the bigger person. Someone had to be.
"We have a reservation for the hot springs inn in Asakusa. We have a room for you. It's during the holiday, so I hope it doesn't interfere with your schooling." She sounded hopeful, like this would automatically make him come see them. They had done this shit before. They would never ask him about what his plans were for summer breaks and force him to cancel and drop everything because they already bought tickets and rooms. The endless guilt trip would ensue if he wanted to stay home and he could never have time to himself because his parents lorded over his head that they took him on this vacation or that town.
"I'm not interested," he replied firmly. Aika sharply took a breath, exhaling slowly.
"Akira, please. At least let us reconnect for a moment even if you don't intend on staying." And why would he pay the ticket to take the train and cab just for a tense, non-relaxing time at a luxurious hot spring he would have to abandon because he wanted to get away from his parents?
"I'm not coming. I know Dad. He'd find a way to put me to sleep and drag me back," he argued. Kazuma had the means to do so. You couldn't kidnap your own kid if both parents were on board and the kid was even just a year before adulthood. He was never physically abused and the emotional abuse could be pinned on the false allegations.
Despite herself, Aika giggled slightly. "He won't. We promise. Feel free to bring someone with you if that's what it takes to have you here."
Akira glared into the street. Ryuji? No, that's only if they intended on storming the place guns blazing. There was no way he wanted to be banned from the premises before he could take Futaba there for their future wedding night.
Yusuke? He'd scare them off with how weird he was, but again, odd behavior would lead to banishment.
All the girls would be intimidating, but he refused. He didn't want his parents thinking he was dating anyone other than Futaba.
Oh, Futaba. He couldn't subject her to...that. She'd fight back for him, absolutely, but he wouldn't want her on the receiving end of his father's temper. Oh no, he'd kill someone. Maybe his own father.
He should've just rejected his mother again. But he hated that deep inside himself, something missed his parents. Maybe it was for closure and understanding. He hated it.
He received a buzz from the text. Pulling his phone away from his ear, he saw a message from Futaba. Of course she already knew.
'I can come with you!' He could tell she was ready for a war. Nodding to himself, he held the phone back up to his ear. If it weren't for Futaba, he would've forced himself to let go and forget ever meeting with his parents, but she gave him the drive.
"...if you two promise and keep your word not to offend her, then I will consider coming. If she gets hurt by what you or Dad say, I'm leaving," he answered, not even bothering to mention who he was bringing.
Aika quickly read between the lines. "'Her?' Akira, do you have a girlfriend?" she asked. Akira had crushes in school, but he never attempted to date anyone.
He sighed tiredly. He had no intentions of revealing Futaba to them to protect her, but she was willing to go on the front lines. "Yes, Mom. And I'm serious. If she wants to leave, I will leave with her."
Aika nodded quickly. "Y-yes, of course. Thank you for coming, honey."
He couldn't think of a reply. He grunted and hung up. Already, he was regretting this.
After finishing the evening shift and closing up Leblanc, Akira walked with Sojiro back to the man's home. He relayed his phone call with his mother to him, something Sojiro wasn't surprised to hear about.
"I figured they'd do as much. And of course Futaba wants in. She's been rarin' for a fight since the whole fiasco of the spring. Just make sure she doesn't get hurt, you hear?" Sojiro warned. Akira simply nodded. He wouldn't let her get hurt for him.
When they got home, Futaba was waiting for them. After a brief greeting, she pulled Akira into her room. She locked the door and faced him with determination.
Though he knew why, he couldn't help but smirk.
"Very forward of you," he commented lightly. Her response was to drum her hands on his chest in a fit. He laughed and leaned down to kiss her, glad when she reciprocated and wrapped her arms around him.
When she pulled away from the kiss, her eyes were still very determined.
"Alright, so the plan! I've decided that if they say something to really piss us off, I'm gonna declare that I'm pregnant or something to shock them so we can make our escape!" Akira was going to be shocked, not just his parents! If Sojiro heard, he'd kill him! At his incredulous look, Futaba showed him a chat between her and the girls. And who came up with that ridiculous idea? Fucking Ann.
"Futaba-chan," he pleaded, using the nickname only when he was begging her for something, "don't listen to Ann. Remember when she tried to give you advice from a romance magazine?"
She snorted. "You mean the one that said I should ice your balls and slap them?"
He shivered in fear. He was so lucky even she thought the idea was ridiculous. "Yes, that. Haven't we determined that Ann is terrible at advice like that?"
Ann meant well, but her ideas were always horrible. When they rejected the romance advice, she was so offended. Even now, she was spouting off other mic drops that had Haru and Makoto messaging as fast as they could to bury the advice.
Akira and Futaba sat on her bed, the latter cuddling up to his side.
"Am I embarrassing to introduce to your parents?" she asked quietly. He took a sharp breath in, surprised she even thought of that.
"Of course not. I'm proud to be in love with you and have you as mine. Just as I hope you are to have me. I want to protect you. My parents-" he heaved a sigh, "are a handful, to put it lightly. They are overbearing and weren't very loving growing up. They were always critical of what I did and I never felt any appreciation from them. They would only say that it was expected of me to do great things. When it came to girls, they kept trying to push whoever they already approved of. Girls who liked me for looks or for my potential. Never for me."
She grinned. "Am I their worst nightmare?"
He returned her grin in kind and patted her head. "My heaven is their worst nightmare."
She leaned into him in a hug, which he returned gratefully, but he snapped straight when he remembered what she had asked earlier.
"Wait a fucking minute. Did someone say you would be embarrassing to show off?" he asked, already growling. She froze, unsure if she should say exactly who said it in her class. It was a dumb argument and the stupid NPC was pissed off that she rejected him.
"Uh...s-someone...?" she murmured, trying to be as vague as possible. His face was completely blank. He pulled out his phone and dialed for Ryuji. She briefly panicked.
"W-what are you doing?!" she chirped, grabbing his arm. For once, he ignored her.
When the blonde cheerfully answered, the former leader's voice was the complete opposite.
"Ryuji, we're gonna beat some first years into shape," Akira deadpanned.
Ryuji didn't even ask why, accepting with no problems. "Alright! Tomorrow?"
Futaba was desperately shaking his arm. "Akira, no!"
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.