realpolitik | Minato Arisato | Akira Kurusu

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Minato Arisato | Akira Kurusu | 090

[He's exhausted.

It's been an intense couple of months, and it feels as though the situation will only get worse somehow--worse and worse, and Minato has no idea what to expect. Strega is still out there. The Dark Hour still exists. The Arcana Shadows are gone, but...at what cost?

What was Ikutsuki rambling about, before the end?

Junpei's exhausted and depressed, the entire dorm dark and quiet and respectful of his mourning, and Minato's still shaken too from how close it was--how close he came to losing yet another teammate, and friend.

So he hops on the train. Akira probably won't mind a visit, right...? They get along well enough, and he thinks Akira would probably understand if Minato just needs a day away from the oppressive atmosphere of how much everyone has lost over the past two months.

He pushes open the door to the cafe quietly, but... well, the silence is almost more stifling over here, and his brow furrows a bit, even as he glances at Sojiro behind the counter.

UM...]

Is Akira around...?

[Now would probably be a good time to get interrupted before Sojiro tells this punk he doesn't really know well that Akira's TOTALLY DEAD.

(Minato probably should've texted first.)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yeah, no, Minato gives Akira the flattest look at that, because you are part of the problem. Just look at those bruises!

(Not that he doesn't appreciate the faith; he does. He's just not quite ready to address it, and get back on the topic of Ikutsuki.)]

Someone here purposefully got themselves arrested and came out looking like this.

[FOR THE RECORD.

... A moment of hesitation, and a bit more quietly:]

But Junpei, too... [... He grimaces.] You're not invincible. No matter what powers you have, it just...takes one mistake for everything to go wrong.

[And maybe they're words that aren't just meant for Akira, but Akira's the current audience right now.]

[. . . HEY!!!]

[gives Minato a flat look, and he's about to respond with something sassy, but then his pal gets all serious on him again and he swallows the words before they can come out]

[there are layers to what Minato says next, and Akira shifts in his seat, sitting up a little straighter and ignoring the way his back and right leg feel so stiff]

-- is he okay? What happened?

[certainly Akira's heard about Junpei by now. certainly he knows about Minato's version of Ryuji]

[He is...absolutely noting all of those winces and shifts in Akira's movements. Akira's worried about him and his team, and he gets it (he appreciates it, he does) but...

He's worried about Akira, too. It definitely goes both ways, and he's not done with asking about Akira's situation either.

... Is he okay?

...]

Maybe he will be, eventually. [Getting over Chidori, though... Minato's not sure he'll ever fully be over that.]

He thought he was invincible just because he has a Persona. He was sure that he'd be fine, even if he flung himself into danger to protect the person that he loved, and--

[Quietly:]

It doesn't work that way. ...He's alive. I'm thankful for that. But it was close.

[So don't...do anything stupid, Akira. Don't die.]

[oh]

[suddenly Minato's reaction to his own injuries makes a whole hell of a lot more sense. not that he didn't expect some concern (they're friends, after all), but]

[. . . it suddenly feels a bit cruel to act so flippant about his supposed "death" and injuries at the hands of the police, knowing Minato is just coming off of a stressful betrayal and the almost-death of a close teammate]

Shit.

[he hisses to himself, and before he can stop his movements, he leans over and bumps his shoulder against Minato's]

I'm sorry. I'm glad he's okay, but-- what about the person he tried to protect?

[this story only gets sadder, Akira]

[It's Persona 3--of course it only gets sadder. Minato looks up a little at the curse and the brushing of their shoulders together; he's still concerned about Akira's injuries, and isn't sure Akira should be bumping shoulders with people at all.

... But he looks like he's hanging in there for now.

There's a pause in response to that question, and then Minato hunches his shoulders a little, jamming his hands into his pockets further, and ducking his head.]

... She's dead. She gave her life...to save his.

[Everything kind of goes to shit around October/November in Persona, doesn't it...]

[what IS it with October and November sucking for protags, really]

[his own shoulders slump as Minato withdraws, and the body language is telling enough that he isn't surprised by the answer that soon follows]

. . .

[he's always been a good listener. someone who provides a quiet ear to those who just need to vent, or comforting words to those in pain. but knowing the right thing to say to someone who nearly lost a teammate, only to have someone else die in his place, is just. . .]

[it's like Haru all over again]

That was very brave of her. [he eventually settles on, voice quiet] . . . I'm sorry.

[Minato doesn't need comforting words, at least. He knows what happened, and why. He knows that he should've been able to prevent it (somehow, somehow, he's the leader, that's what they're supposed to do), and he knows that not being able to prevent it was a failing that all of them committed.

...He just shakes his head, and offers Akira a very weak smile.]

She loved him.

[So of course she was willing to give her life for him. That much... in a way, makes perfect sense to Minato, in a strange sort of eerie clarity.]

...We'll recover. We'll keep moving forward. [Somehow, even if they don't have a purpose anymore... and even if they've suffered more losses lately than they know what to do with.] But... I hope that your dangerous ploy will keep you safe now.

[He doesn't want to come back to news of Akira really being killed.]

[despite his words, despite the smile, Akira can read guilt in every line of Minato's body language. it doesn't surprise him. if he were in Minato's situation, he'd feel it, too]

[. . . did feel it. with Haru, and the loss of her father. he doesn't return the smile]

Of course you'll keep moving forward. I never doubted that.

[he may also be purposefully ignoring Minato trying to turn the conversation back to his deal for now, oops.]

But do you blame yourself?

[Stop doing that, Akira.

Minato's not used to his attempts at changing the conversation to fail... though he supposes he should expect that, considering Akira's also a protag. Still, it's a bit of a surprise, and the question is...not really one he wants to answer.

His expression flattens a little.]

Junpei never really did like to listen to me.

[That's his own failing as a leader, and he knows it.]

Maybe if he had--

[None of this would have ever happened.]

[plops a hand on top of Minato's head]

[the movement hurts, just like everything else does, but he swallows his instinct to flinch. focus]

So you do. You blame yourself for not being able to get through to him before it was too late.

[and then]

[he lightly flicks Minato's temple. it doesn't hurt, but it's a rough motion nonetheless!!]

First-- you have to quit that.

[... ... ... Minato frowns.

He frowns and almost goes crosseyed trying to look at the hand on his head.]

Would you stop moving so much--

[He knows it has to be hurting, Akira, stop that--!!

... Though the flick does make him blink despite himself; he doesn't flinch, because it doesn't hurt, but it's hard not to react.]

... I know. It's not about me anyway. Junpei... is the one who's hurting right now.

[It's hard not to feel a little guilt, though.]

You try staying completely still for several minutes at a time. It's enough to drive a person crazy.

[IN OTHER WORDS, NO]

And, well-- that's true. But not what I was getting at.

[at least he drops his hand back into his lap when he's done being obnoxious and slumps against the wall again]

You're hurting, too. Guilt can be a form of hurt. [or so he thinks. maybe he can say that because he's a leader too, so he knows. . . what it's like. to feel responsible for an entire group of people. to feel like you failed them] And if you ignore your own hurt, moving forward is going to be a lot more difficult.

[AKIRA...]

Just...don't hurt yourself more...

[... He sighs softly, shaking his head. It's true, of course. Guilt is a form of hurt, and it seems like the sort of thing that...well, he'd say too, if he was dealing with a similar situation. It's been difficult for him to get his head back on straight, what with all of the things going on and the general mood of the dorm, and so... maybe he's just really needed to confront it like this?]

... I guess that's true. [He frowns slightly to himself.] It is our responsibility, though. [He knows that Akira knows it's true.] What happens to them--to our team...

[That's all on them.]

Yeah. It is.

[he doesn't deny that!! doesn't even try to sugarcoat it. it's a huge responsibility, but he's acutely aware that both he and Minato are capable of shouldering it. he won't beat around that bush at all, won't try to make it sound less than it is]

[he tilts his chin up, gaze seeking out Minato's again]

Which is why you need to confront your pain sooner rather than later.

They're going to need you at your best from here on out.

[Minato meets Akira's eyes quietly; it feels like the least he can do, when he feels like Akira is really...telling him things he needs to hear here. It might not be the most pleasant truth ever, but it is the truth.

...He frowns a little. "Confront his pain", huh...?]

... You might be right, but...

[Minato doesn't really do a whole lot of confiding in people or leaning on people or...any of the sort, really. He mostly just looks uncertain.

How is he even supposed to do that?]

We'll recover, Akira. I think you have enough on your plate right now.

[maybe this is a fellow protag offering a shoulder for him to lean on for a bit, just until he manages to pull himself back together. someone offering Minato some support for a change. not really as repayment for the words he gave Akira after the Velvet Room, but. . . something Akira would have done all along. as a friend]

[a grin stretches across his cheeks as he tilts his head a bit, tone turning a little lighter]

Too late; you're already on the plate, too. I've decided your spot is in between the grilled fish and the rice.

[hope Minato likes. . . rice? and fish???]

[He can't say he doesn't appreciate the lightening of the mood, even if he quirks an eyebrow vaguely at that. It's a bit of a mood whiplash, but he can roll with it.]

Sounds tasty.

[Though he gets what Akira's going for here, and...well...]

I'll share my theories on Ikutsuki when you don't look like you found a fight club and lost.

[SO AKIRA NEEDS TO REST.]

How's that?

[HEY!!]

. . .

I don't like this deal. . . bruises don't just heal overnight, you know.

Right... and you'll have to rest to recover.

[So like.

That's the idea.]

[god damn it, Minato. but he can feel he's reached a wall here. something's got to give, and Akira knows not to push his luck]

. . . okay. New deal.

We'll go back to Leblanc and play video games. I won't ask you any more questions about what happened until I've rested, had dinner, and changed some of my bandages.

[maybe he'll even tell Minato a little bit more about what happened to him in October and November, how's that]

After dinner, you tell me more about your theories with your Chairman. . . and any other concerns you might have about your team.

[... Hm. The counterargument doesn't make him entirely happy, but he's sensing it's the best he'll get from Akira--and it means Akira will be resting and taking care of himself, which is his major concern right now.

So after that brief moment of contemplation, he nods.]

Alright. It's a deal.

[Though he adds, after a brief moment:]

I want to understand your plan a bit better too, though. So... if you're willing, I'd like to talk about that, too. Later.

[having not actually expected Minato to take that offer, Akira lets a genuine smile-- not a smirk, or a smug grin-- curl up the corners of his mouth. right. this Confidant goes both ways. if he wants Minato to rely on him. . . he's got to rely on Minato a bit, too]

I'll tell you all about it.

[he eventually says as he hoists himself back to his feet]

It's a long story, so you might want to make yourself some popcorn before I st--

[he may have succeeded in standing up, but stepping forward is a whole different matter entirely. as he moves, he can feel his right leg, the one that unfortunately came out of that interrogation worse off than the other (all because he refused to sign that stupid confession at first) suddenly give out from under him. a streak of pain shoots up his thigh, and Akira cuts himself off with a hiss, trips forward, and is only stopped from eating gravel because of the fencing surrounding their alcove. he just barely manages to stick out a hand and catch himself against it on time]

[That's alarming. There's no two ways about it; Akira stumbles, and Minato has never expected to see something like that from him.

(He must be even worse off than he'd thought, when he falls like that, and Minato's expression immediately goes grim.)

He jumps to his feet automatically, hurrying to Akira's side, and while he tone is calm, there's still a sense of urgency behind his words.]

Akira-- [... he's obviously not okay. Minato's not even going to bother to ask and let Akira give another pointless "I'm fine".]

... Here. Let me help you back.

[He reaches out carefully, resting a hand lightly on Akira's back (because really, he has no way of knowing just how bad everything is or isn't, and where Akira's injuries are), expression serious. He'll lend Akira his shoulder on the way back to Leblanc, no matter how short the walk is--taking no for an answer doesn't seem like something he's willing to do.]

H-hold on--

[he mutters those words, tight and strained, through clenched teeth. Minato's hand on his back is comforting, but still not enough to keep him upright. Akira sinks to the ground, injured leg extended in front of him, hunches his shoulders and closes his eyes as he waits for the pain to pass. the sensation is concentrated in his calf, but his whole body aches all of a sudden, like he could fall apart at any moment now]

[this is unbecoming of the leader of the Phantom Thieves]

. . . gimme a minute. . .

[it isn't his pride he's worried about, here. he isn't afraid of showing weakness. he just super didn't want to be another reason for Minato's fuss]

[Minato's always gonna fuss. It's what he does.

Especially when his friend and fellow protag leader is on the ground like this, from the injuries that have been inflicted on him in prison.

(This is brutality, isn't it? This is wrong, in all possible ways.)

Minato crouches next to him, hand remaining lightly on his back, and looks at him quietly, drawing in a slow breath. He has to stay calm, and support Akira here. Even if he's...well, honestly really, really pissed at whoever did this to him, whoever thought they had the right--]

... Your leg, right? What else?

[What injuries? Maybe if he looks at this clinically, from a leader's sort of perspective, it will be less infuriating (it won't, Minato knows).]

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