Oh I don't think I have to worry too much about her seeking me out. She didn't remember our first encounter. And I'm pretty sure she doesn't even remember my name, she just called me Elf.
[ Please don't do that or he'll actually have a heart attack. Akira is snickering a bit, merely picturing Yusuke's appalled expression. He can't see it with how dark it is in their room. ]
I think I'll leave the art to you.
[ Doodling is all he does, but most importantly: ]
I promised that I would tell you if... I remember something, right?
[ Stop being demeaning without intent, Yusuke? He chuckles nervously as his eyes dart elsewhere. Even if they can't see each other, he can feel his friend facing him. ]
So... My other self back then didn't have a great reputation. At school, his peers would avoid him because they thought he was a violent delinquent. For a while, I wasn't sure what he—I did wrong. The emotions I had were a mix of apathy and frustration... As if I was wronged.
[ His hands occupy themselves by holding onto Morrigan who continues to sleep, ears flickering when he feels someone's touch. ]
What got me there was unfair. I was protecting someone from getting harassed by a drunkard, then he fell on his own and I was charged for assault. It went on my permanent record... I got expelled—shipped to Tokyo on probation.
[ He's shifted so that he's a little more comfortable, and listens.
... and listens.
And once again, and he was when Akira told him the extent of what Madarame had done to that other him throughout his life, he's struck with just... how unfair these situations are. How younger, more vulnerable people have been at the mercy of those with more power than them when they should have been protected or helped by them instead. ]
...
Is this why we... they? took what they did in the Metaverse so seriously? When Madarame was dealt with, they spoke about a change of heart... the ability to make someone so powerful and untouchable crumble like that...
[ Akira knew what Madarame had done to that other him, and now Akira knows what happened to that other him as well. ]
Had all of us been trapped in situations we couldn't see an escape from like that...?
yea but ur the only artist i know and that im sure our mutual friends know who would want 2 draw yu looking all anime and put him on a pillow and leave it in my room during my xmas party WHICH MEANS i had 2 invite them so u know them 2
... Based on what I know about Ann and Ryuji, yeah. It seems like we were a group of misfits that wanted to help those like us—people who've had their lives stripped away from them. It's almost poetic.
[ They banded together for their own reasons—vengeance, justice, you name it, but they upheld their morals and continued their escapade. The justice they dealt, while controversial, was sound and founded on a strong conviction. Akira idly strokes Morrigan's ears as he lets out a small sigh, simmering in the memories and emotions that come with them. ]
At least we—they... Found a place where they all belonged.
[ That's the feeling he got with every memory he receives of the Phantom Thieves. It's this subtle and genuine feeling of comfort underneath adrenaline and whatever urgency. The other Akira felt like he had a place to come back to. ]
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