#like I do NOT need to see the phantom thieves for the umpteenth time GIVE ME STREGA PLEASEEE PLEASE PLEA

[gio-cosmo]

This is my favorite image ever I think

[shoichee]

Phantom Thieves of Hearts in KNB

This is part 3 for Murasakibara only! Part 2 and part 1 for other KNB characters are right here and here, respectively!

Persona 5 x Kuroko no Basket crossover

[Murasakibara x s/o reader]

Headcanons on how KNB characters find out you were a member of the Phantom Thieves + what they do afterwards

@akichan-th i remember how you wanted a murasakibara h/c and i spent a while thinking LOL

Warning: spoilers regarding the palace’s deadline after 10/11 and the subsequent events shortly after

Murasakibara Atsushi

in this headcanon, the PT is located in either Yosen high or any nearby schools in Akita, since it’s a 7 hour drive minimum from Akita to Tokyo (the main location of the PT, Shujin Academy)

you and Murasakibara have been dating for a few months

very casual, easygoing relationship between the two of you where you two give each other space if needed and cuddle (while snacking, of course) other times

so your Phantom Thief life remained secretive and very manageable to keep under wraps, especially since he just never saw the need to poke and prod through your business if you never bring it up yourself first

as long as you gave him cuddles and snacks, he didn’t have a problem; he knew you were a good person too, so he had no reason to doubt you

“(y/n)-chin,” he childishly demanded. “I wanna cuddle.”

“Ah..! I’m so sorry, Atsu!” you gave him an enveloping hug as an apology. “But not today, I have lots of work to do for school…”

you gave him a regretful look, and while he was pouting and whining for snacks, he eventually let you go out of his ginormous arms

he might be a childish person and have lots of clingy tendencies/demands, but he’s still reasonable in letting you carry out your own life

. . . 

“Ready to explore the palace?” Futaba waves you over, with the other hand grasping her phone that already had the metaverse app opened and ready to be activated 

“Yup,” you heaved, after jogging briskly for several minutes to the hideout

Ryuji: “Alright! All set!”

Haru: “I’m still a little nervous…”

Ann: “Don’t worry, Haru! We’ll make sure to change his heart!”

. . .

“Humpf,” Murasakibara huffed, blowing his hair strand off his face for the umpteenth time as his chin was propped on the table, his biscuits left mostly forgotten a few feet away 

“You’ve been sighing a lot, Atsushi.” Himuro peered over from his book to see him moping. “What’s wrong?”

“(y/n)-chin isn’t here,” he grumbled

“That can’t be helped sometimes, you know.”

“I knooow,” he drawled before sighing again

“What are all these snacks lying around for? Aren’t you going to eat them?”

“They’re for (y/n)-chin, obviously.”

“Staring holes into the Hi-Chew packages isn’t going to summon them over. Come here, we can use the kitchen and maybe fix you up a quick appetizer to take your mind off of this.”

“O-kay.”

the next subsequent day, Murasakibara was clingier than normal, even went as so far as to initiate PDA by holding your hand when walking in the hallways and draping himself all over you during breaks

and yes, he fed you those snacks he saved for you from yesterday

Murasakibara honestly thought this was going to be a one time thing where you were busy, but since you were working on Okumura’s palace before the deadline, you had to always leave every day, or at least every other day, to finish the palace exploration

you initially went to the palace with the PT every day, but after seeing Murasakibara’s sour moods during school and being really grumpy over you not spending time with him, you opted to tell Joker that you would settle on coming every other day instead

Murasakibara still had some reservations about the changes in your “after school” activities that didn’t involve him by your side, but at least he knew you made the effort to try to be with him as much as you could, even though he could see how important these “activities” were to you

so for now, he was content enough with the way things are

until several days later, when he was about to approach you after school, after finding you in a secluded corner of the campus outside (it wasn’t hard to spot you with his height), he tried to approach you when he overheard your hushed conversation on the phone:

“Yeah… got it… mhm… I’ll be there at Leblanc… yeah, it wouldn’t be a problem, I hope. I should be free this evening, Akira. Wait for me, okay?”

Akira? Who was that?

Murasakibara stood there, frowning as he was processing your words and the possible implications from them, and for the first time, he felt doubt 

while he was lost in his thoughts, you hung off the call, and went to look for Murasakibara, and in immediately spotting the tower of your boyfriend, you ran to him

“Atsu!” you cheerily called, and it immediately snapped Murasakibara out of his thoughts to face you (more like looking down)

“Atsu,” you said, squeezing his torso in a hug and nuzzling him. “I gotta go again… But I’ll make it up to you, I promise!”

and as you backed up from Murasakibara to start jogging to your destination, you yelled out, “I’ll bring lots of food tomorrow for lunch!”

a small hiss in the back of his mind concluded that you were possibly seeing someone else; the fact that you constantly canceled a lot of plans with him just for these “activities” already gnawed at him

in his laziness dread, he opted not to follow you at all and immediately went to look for Himuro

“Muro-chin, what does it mean when someone is always busy?”

“Is this about (y/n)-chan again?” Himuro chuckled, not missing the way how Mursakibara was even more sullen than usual

“Che.”

“Maybe you need to talk to them yourself, Atsushi,” he hummed, walking slightly ahead of the giant. “You can’t constantly rely on me for all your decisions.”

“Maybe they’re just sick of eating snacks with you 24/7,” Fukui popped up between them. “Have you ever even been on a proper date with (l/n) before??”

“(y/n)-chin isn’t like that…” he grumbled vehemently, but it was totally obvious that he was hesitant

the next day, you came to school like nothing ever happened, your face bright as you held a cloth loaded with bento boxes, and Murasakibara decided to try Himuro’s advice to “talk to you”

“(y/n)-chin, you like me, right?” he propped his chin on your head

“Huh? Of course I do, silly,” you beamed up at him, and Murasakibara, right there and then, lost the will to question you any further, and he felt the doubt washed away

he figured this whole ordeal must’ve been just his imagination and he chided himself for doubting you like that when you always gave him amazing food and told him when you were free and whatnot

scratch that, when school finished for the day, you were ready to bounce out again with another excuse

his doubt came back and just multiplied tenfold

you felt really guilty, leaving your boyfriend in the dust constantly

you hadn’t anticipate this would happen, no; Okumura’s palace unexpectedly became a lot harder to deal with in the deepest areas, especially with the constant puzzles in the maze to sort through

and you knew he wasn’t a stupid person to overlook your behavior despite his oblivious surface, but even though you knew you couldn’t tell him your secret life, you tried to make him feel better in the only way you knew how: give him food

but there’s only so much food could do to appease Murasakibara before enough was enough for him

so while you ran out from campus again for the umpteenth time, Murasakibara decided to put his laziness to the side and follow you for once

okay but to outsiders, it totally looked like this grown ass man child giant was stalking a little, unsuspecting you

you made a sharp turn before slipping into a quaint coffee shop, and Murasakibara made the connection to the phone call after seeing the shop sign “Leblanc”

he was already jittering inside from nerves, but now he’s agitated

If he walked in, was he going to see you with another person? 

he gave a slow sigh before stopping before the door and opening it as he ducked in the doorway

a soft jingle from the door’s bell announced his entrance and everyone in the shop (including you) stopped their conversations midway and turned their attention to the newcomer (whose shadow from standing at the door blanketed the entire shop interior)

Ryuji: “Huh? Can’t you read? Shop’s closed.”

Makoto: “Ryuji! Can’t you just be nice?—I’m sorry, please don’t mind his manners, but he is right that we’re not open as of now…”

“(y/n)-chin came in here.”

Ann: “A-ah! Well, yes they did! But uh, they’re a sweeper and is training to be a waitress—”

you jabbed Ann’s side with your elbow with a “shhh” before you got up from your seat to walk to Murasakibara

“Atsu, what are you doing here?”

“I came here to ask you the same thing, chibi-chin.”

“(y/n) is working here as an apprentice to be a coffee barista under the owner’s tutelage along with the rest of us,” Joker said, getting up from his seat to walk towards Mura as well

“Akira…” you turned to Joker

not only was this man on a first name basis with you, but he was the Akira from the phone call

Joker could suddenly sense a huge spike in a hostile aura emitted by the purple-haired titan

Murasakibara suddenly pulled your arm into his chest and wrapped your waist from behind, all while glaring at the ravenette

“(y/n)-chin is mine.”

there was a collective silence before everyone started shouting in disbelief

“I didn’t know you dated anyone, (y/n)!!” “That’s sooo cute!!” “How long were you with him?” “What a wonderful thing to experience, (y/n)-chan!” “Mwehe, got any dirt on (y/n)?”

Joker just gives a smirk to the two of you, which you knew he meant that he was gonna make some comments and jokes on your relationship from this point on

No wonder you couldn’t come everyday to do a palace run.

“Ugh, seriously?? How the hell did (y/n) find someone before all of us? I mean, I thought being a Phantom Thief would’ve made me more noticeable to girls—”

“Ryuji!!”

“Oh… uh—”

everyone in the PT gang turned to Murasakibara to gauge his reaction:

he just had figurative question marks and clouds floating over his head as he continued to embrace you from behind

“Fan… tom… Thief?” (you inwardly sighed in relief and amusement at his reaction)

“It’s a group activity we have to do often,” you hurriedly explained. “Like… D&D role-playing gaming, and plus we all do it together after we finish doing barista work… together, but it’s kind of… embarrassing, so that’s why we’re all doing this rather secretively. So… could you keep this to yourself too?”

“O-kay.”

“Yeah, so sorry again, Atsu, but could you leave me to my own devices for the evening again?...”

“No, I don’t want to,” he replied, squeezing you even harder with his arms as if daring you to try to escape from him, and you shot glances at your team members to help you out (they looked at you as if this was all yours to deal with)

“Atsuuu,” you turned to face him while still being in his arms. “Other than this group activity, you’re still my number one priority, you know?” and you tippy-toed up to his face to give him a sweet peck on his lips 

choruses of fangirling and groaning ring out again

“I guess I’ll leave you be, (y/n)-chin,” Murasakibara said indifferently, but you spied a small smile on his lips

being relieved that you weren’t going behind his back to see someone was an understatement; in fact, he was giddy that you were so forward with him in front of a large group of your friends

true to his word, Murasakibara never mentions a peep of the “Phantom Thieves” again to anyone (other than with you sometimes when you two are alone)

although he merely thought it was just a type of extracurricular/club activity of some sorts, he did ask Himuro (and a nearby nosy Fukui) if they knew what the “Phantom Thieves” were

“I’m surprised you only heard about them now,” Himuro replied. “There’s tons of popular merch of them and everyone is so hyped up that they’re pretending to be the Phantom Thieves themselves and trying to hand out ‘calling cards’ to other students.”

Fukui popped up in hearing the “Phantom Thieves” with a collection of calling cards of his own and bragging about how he had to go through extensive means to obtain the “limited edition” card

so you were just fans of these famed superheroes and role playing it with your other friends? he guess it could be embarrassing for you enough to try to hide this from him

Mura always walks you to Leblanc and then leaves home for the day, but sometimes, Sojiro invites him in (when nobody is doing PT business) for good plate of curry and soba 

Murasakibara loves the old man and his cooking

he’s grown somewhat close to your PT friends, particularly Ann, Makoto, and Haru; Ann has a massive sweet tooth like Mura, so she would often give him extra sweets she bought from a dessert shop, meanwhile Makoto and Haru are like mother-figures (strict and doting, respectively) to him (sort of like Akashi and Himuro)

if you didn’t give into his whining for a particular something, he’d turn to Makoto or Haru to try to persuade you in giving in (may or may not work)

he’d probably will not think much of the “PT” business for the longest time, even when the Okumura news break out, because he doesn’t think they’re real to begin with (oh, he would believe the murder is real, but the perpetrator being the “PT” he thinks would be the media over-exagerrating and just giving any anonymous killer at large the term, “PT”)

as long as he wasn’t directly affected, he’s not someone to worry about the needless things

when things were getting dire for the PT, you actually isolated yourself from Murasakibara as well as the Yosen basketball team, not because you hate them, but because you didn’t want to drag them into legal matters with the police by association with you

you cursed yourself for being careless and letting your boyfriend hang out with the PT because someone’s bound to see a giant kid lurking in and around Leblanc at least once

Murasakibara thought he did something wrong and would tried to get your attention, but every time he did, you would expertly avoid him

he even left so many snacks at your desk hoping for you to accept them :((

one day, you finally went up to Murasakibara when you were absolutely sure you were alone with him, and before he could say your name and be elated that you were in front of him again, you coldly said:

“I want to break up.”

the usually apathetic guy would widen his eyes in complete shock and fear; the first thing you said after not talking to him in weeks were… that?

“(y/n)-chin… why? (y/n)-chin! Talk to me...” 

It was for the best… you never wanted to ruin his future and his basketball career just by being near you

you feigned indifference and tried turning around to walk away from him, struggling to keep your face from being tear-stricken

“(y/n)-chin!” Murasakibara released a bellow you never heard unless he was playing aggressively on the courts, before he forcefully tug your arm to spin you around

there you were, failing to keep your true feelings hidden as you started sniffling and then full blown sobbing the longer your boyfriend stared at your face in full worry 

“Here…” he pressed your face into his shirt as he hoisted you up from your knees, and he walked home with your legs around his waist, crying your eyes out from the stress and fears you’ve felt haunted by lately (“Stop crying, (y/n)-chin, it’s annoying” he would say as he rubbed your back)

as soon as he puts you down on a couch in his living room, you knew he meant business when he had a serious look on his face that meant “Talk now.”

you bit your lip in apprehension and in seeing that, Mura grabbed a few snacks from the cabinets for you before settling next to you again

and you confessed the entire truth to him, sniffling and hiccuping as you struggled to enunciate your words while stuffing your face with cream biscuits

“Is that all?...” Mura tilted his head. “You obviously didn’t kill him, so why are you worried?” he munched on his next package

“Atsu, it’s not that simple, you—”

“I know, I know.” he ruffled your hair before pulling you close

“Just stop crying,” he mumbled into your head

and you felt safe for the first time in a couple of weeks

the Phantom Thieves will overcome this, definitely.

“Don’t break up with me, (y/n)-chin,” he said out of nowhere, pouting and sulking at your figure

you busted a huge laugh, the very sound he missed hearing from you for so long

“I wouldn’t dare, Atsu.”

bonus: sometime in the future, you brought over an overly-curious Murasakibara to mementos with everyone, and there, he finally hears Morgana speaking for the first time. Afterwards, he’s best friends with the cat, taking him everywhere he went whenever he did errands or snack-shopping and ignoring the questioning gazes from strangers as he talked to the said cat like it was a normal thing. Both love to eat sashimi together.

[satorisa]

Phantom Thieves of Hearts Club: On Our Way to Steal Yours, Dark

Chapter 1: Meeting

Rating: T (mostly for language. Takeshi’s language)

Summary:  A drabble collection about an unlikely trio trying to catch Dark for their own personal agendas which may or may not include their personal infatuations towards their target.

Alternate reading links available in my description!

And here it is! Hover over that chapter title for some chapter listening!

Actually currently adding onto the current Lift the Veil chapter which I’ve mostly already typed up, but I thought dropping this might also be fun! It’s literally just about Takeshi, Risa, and Satoshi trying to catch Dark. 

Also, be on the lookout because there may or may not be a Satoshi/Takeshi fic on the way too!

I hope you enjoy!

It was a night like any other: the moon shone above the town, full and lovely as always, ready to greet Phantom Thief Dark on what would hopefully be yet another successful heist.

Risa finished tying the rope on her balcony. After giving it a hard tug, she straightened her clothes for the umpteenth time that evening before grabbing the rope and sliding down. She landed perfectly, legs a little bent for optimal cuteness, and then ran off to the museum to catch a glimpse of her one true love.

On her way there, she noted the sirens of the police cars and ducked behind the bushes to sneak by. She caught a glimpse of Inspector Saehara, the spitting image of an older Takeshi, but she didn’t stick around for long to get a better look when more police officers started approaching him.

Eventually, she made it to a quiet clearing. Should she have to encounter someone from the force, she had the means to make them leave her alone. However, were she unfortunate enough to find him here of all days—

CRASH.

She turned around, barely holding onto the scream about to escape her mouth when she saw a foot sticking out of the bush she just came out of. Wait, why did that shoe look familiar to her?

“Aw, shit. My baaack.”

The unknown figure stood upright, and she spotted the familiar glint of a camera hanging from their neck. She couldn’t see their face in the dark, but she instantly recognized that unruly mop of hair.

“Saehara-kun?!”

He looked startled, shifting around until his eyes landed on Risa. “Harada-imouto, what are you doing out so late?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” She pouted, hand on her hips. “Does your dad even know you’re out here?”

“Yeah. He lets me tag along so long as I don’t get in his way.” He paused. “Have you seen Dark yet?”

“If you’re looking for him, he’s gotten away yet again.”

Risa and Takeshi swiveled around to see Satoshi emerge from side of the building. On instinct, Risa jumped behind Takeshi, gently holding onto his shoulders as she tried to hide behind his figure.

“No picture today, Saehara?”

“How the hell am I supposed to get one when I’m so far from all the action?”

“May I remind you of the many times you’ve compromised a chase by coincidentally landing on me or someone on the force in the midst of pursuit?”

Risa, confused at all the bickering, peeked her head out from behind Takeshi’s shoulder.

“Harada, there’s no need to hide from me,” Satoshi assured.

“Yes, there is. You’ll pry me from Saehara-kun and drag me back home while lecturing me about walking around at night alone and trespassing at a crime scene. Again!”

“Because a civilian like you shouldn’t be here.”

“Then what about Saehara-kun?!” Satoshi didn’t answer. “Hypocrite! You just let him tag along because he’s your coworker’s son! That’s not fair!”

“Ha—”

SWOOSH.

The trio looked up to see a pair of black wings eclipsing the moon. Dark looked down at them and winked before disappearing into the night sky.

Risa’s shriek pierced through the awed silence, relishing in the brief attention that Dark had given her. Takeshi groaned about not grabbing the perfect shot, while Satoshi stood there with his poker face, brewing a plan behind his furrowed eyebrows.

“Well, I’m good for today, so I’ll be heading home now! Bye!”

Before Satoshi could stop her, she rushed by him, disappearing into the bushes to sneak off the museum grounds. Takeshi shot a questioning look at Satoshi as he held the camera in his hands.

“Did Dark just spite you?”

“I thought he was catching Harada’s attention.

The two stood in silence until they heard Inspector Saehara’s voice booming in the distance about yet another failure. Takeshi and Satoshi shot each other a knowing look before rushing back.

Thoughts about Risa could wait. The impending doom that could be waiting for them were Inspector Saehara let loose long enough to cause another post-heist incident could not.

[i-w-p-chan]

A Detective and His Rival Phantom Thief

Summary: To be a successful detective, Akechi Goro believes, one needs a good case and a worthy rival. Luckily for the second coming of the Detective Prince, he has both. (Or does he?)

Note: The other day someone mentioned this kind of AU in the shuake server and I was reminded of how much I wanted to dabble in it.

Also, despite the summary, this isn’t connected to P5A.

Warnings: Kinda Cracky, Kinda Feelsy (Only Teeny Tiny Bit Though), Kinda Fluffy, Self-Indulgent Ficcing Happened Again, Zero Regrets, Akechi Is Gay And In Denial, Can You Hear The Author’s Mad Cackling?, Human!Morgana, Akechi’s Adorable Murderous Urges.

Disclaimer: Don’t own P5.

.

Goro observed the barista from above the pages of his detective novel, eyes locked on the teen’s figure as he moved about smoothly to prepare Goro’s cup of coffee.

This was him, Goro knew without a shadow of doubt, this was the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. He absolutely fit the bill- aside from his motives and circumstances (both of which Goro had already confirmed to fit the profile he had in mind), there were the mannerisms; the Thieves’ leader acted very unassuming, quiet and rarely speaking, the type anyone would bypass without a second glance, but held a subtle charm to those who bothered to pay him any attention.

Truly, as befitting a phantom thief.

“Here,” Kurusu murmured, the quietness of his voice hiding the baritone Goro had heard a few times when Kurusu let his guard down sometimes, and put Goro’s cup of coffee on the counter in front of him.

“Thank you, Kurusu-kun.” Goro breathed out, putting away his novel and sending a charming smile Kurusu’s way; Kurusu wasn’t swayed or flustered by the action, not that Goro expected him to. Goro took a sip from his coffee and sighed, relishing the taste that made him return to this café, over and over again (aside from Kurusu- and the curry, can’t forget about the curry), “Delicious as always.” Goro sent Kurusu a wink while keeping a tight lid on his inner giddiness that came to existence due to the combination of the coffee and Kurusu’s presence.

The giddiness intensified when Kurusu ducked his head and one of his hands rose to fiddle with his messy bangs with slender fingers; it was Kurusu’s bashful telltale and Goro enjoyed each time he got to fluster Kurusu like so- Kurusu’s reactions were absolutely delicious~

Goro hid a smug grin behind the rim of his cup, but only enough so that it wouldn’t be very obvious- he certainly wanted Kurusu to notice it.

And notice it Kurusu did, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. Goro inwardly cackled and a mischievous spark entered his eyes.

He could feel Sojiro’s Disapproving Look burning a hole right through him, but he didn’t pay it any mind; he was a detective on a job, a predator with the scent of his prey filling his nose- he wouldn’t let something as pesky as other people’s approval stop him.

In that moment, the bell above Leblanc’s entrance chimed as the door opened, heralding the arrival of another customer.

“Hey, Boss!” Goro almost narrowed his eyes at the familiar obnoxious voice that grated on his ears.

It was fuc- curs- goddam- hecking Kobayashi.

“Oh, it’s Akechi.” Kobayashi plopped gracelessly on the chair to Goro’s right, and Goro’s hold on his cup tightened, “What are you doing here? Oh, wait, don’t answer that.” Kobayashi’s mouth stretched in his usual ugly Cheshire cat grin, his eyes flitting to Kurusu, and making Goro immediately contemplate at least three ways to maim him (he had a nice cup of hot coffee on hand, he had a briefcase on his left, he had his own fucking forearm which could make a nice chokehold-), “You’re here to woo Akira, aren’t you?” Kobayashi cheerfully declared.

“Morgana!” Kurusu hissed, while Sojiro merely shook his head.

Goro’s urge to throw Kobayashi into a vat of acid and watch him die while laughing and pointing increased by 300%.

“Kobayashi-kun,” Goro ground out through his clenched teeth, “I’m not here to… ‘woo’ Kurusu-kun, or anything of the sort.” Goro nodded decisively, “I’m simply here to enjoy the coffee and quiet company-“ Goro sent a beaming smile Kurusu’s way, “-right, Kurusu-kun?”

Kurusu nodded his head jerkily, averting his face from Goro in the process, and Goro’s chest clenched at the sight.

Privately, Goro wondered why he felt like he should take back what he said, even though it was the best response in such a situation; after all, he didn’t want to give Kobayashi more ammunition to use against him.

“Is there something wrong?” Goro inquired, expression clearly showing his confusion, as he noticed both Kobayashi and Sojiro giving him disbelieving looks.

Sojiro just shook his head and disappeared to the kitchen amid the silence that stretched even after Sojiro returned with a plate of curry and placed it in front of Kobayashi, who finally interrupted the silence, “Hey, are you actually oblivious or are you just playing around? Because let me tell you it better be the first, not the second, because if it was the second, then I hold the rights to pants you in public in front of your adoring fans.” With his piece said, Kobayashi dug into his plate of curry.

Goro almost snorted; he was neither oblivious nor playing around- Kurusu was a serious topic for Goro and required his utmost attention and care. Well, at least now with Kobayashi no longer running his mouth, Goro could return the entirety of his focus on Kurusu and continue flirt-

His brain reached a screeching halt and he almost dropped his cup of coffee.

Um.

AHEM.

That wasn’t…

He wasn’t…

Goro stared blankly at his cup, not so much seeing it as staring through it.

He vaguely registered the sound of Sojiro snorting, “There. Now he realizes.”

.

“Ah, I see everyone is here.” Goro smiled at the Thieves as they all piled into the empty office after him, “I’m glad.”

“Everyone?” Sakamoto parroted.

“Yes.” Goro’s smile widened, “No need to act so coy with me, I have long since known about your activities. I simply didn’t have the chance to confront you before now. Especially with incriminating evidence.”

Kurusu cocked his head to the side, and damn did he have to look so adorable? “Activities? Incriminating evidence?”

“Yes.” Goro nodded resolutely, “Your group is the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and you, Kurusu-kun, are their leader.” Goro declared dramatically as he reached into his coat and pulled out a number of pictures depicting everyone in front of him sans Kurusu, “And I have picture evidence. I must admit, it was devious of you not to be seen at all around Okumura Foods HQ, you must have seen through me since the very beginning, Kurusu-kun, and did your absolute best to avoid being caught in such incriminating evidence. But I guess that I shouldn’t expect anything less from my rival, the notorious leader for such an elusive group of vigilantes.”

Silence.

Goro blinked at the group, and the group stared back at him with looks of pure incredulousness.

“Um, what?” Takamaki was the first to regain her voice, “Did you just say that Akira is our leader?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Goro responded, confusion swirling within him at receiving such a reaction, “He is highly proficient, intelligent, bold, charming-“ (“Gay,” Sakamoto muttered, and Takamaki elbowed him in the side, Goro ignored both)”- and with a great web of confidants with convenient skills to help you in your endeavors.”

Niijima cleared her throat, “I think you have a correct take on the situation, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re wrong: Akira isn’t our leader, he isn’t even a member of the Thieves, he is a very dear friend, true, but not all of our friends are members of the Thieves. Our leader is actually Morgana.”

Goro stared blankly ahead, and Kurusu sighed, “What is it with people always assuming that I’m a member of the Thieves?”

.

“You’re not a member of the Thieves…” Goro stared at Kurusu’s phone as he scrolled through it for the umpteenth time, though his search didn’t net him any sign of the Meta Nav that all the Thieves had along with Goro who had the fortune (misfortune?) to be accidentally pulled along with the Thieves on their latest heist.

“I’m not.” Kurusu’s tone was bland, and Goro had to suppress a flinch; it turned out that letting slip the implication that he’d been spending so much time around Kurusu was just to gather information on the Thieves was not a wise choice, and he’d been too stunned by the revelation that Kurusu wasn’t whom Goro thought he was, that he didn’t even think about backpedalling and telling Kurusu that, true, it may have been for information gathering purposes at the beginning, but Goro had grown to genuinely enjoy Kurusu’s company.

He had to fix that mistake.

Goro raked a hand through his hair and sighed before he returned the phone to its owner, “Listen to me, Kurusu-kun,” Goro started and Kurusu looked back at him, though Goro couldn’t see his eyes from the way the light reflected off of them (which told him that he was in deep trouble if he didn’t correct the situation- and fast), “It’s true that I started frequenting Leblanc and spending time with you to get information on the Thieves, but that was months ago. It’s different now, I promise! I… like being around you and-“ Goro could practically feel his own face’s increasing temperature as it glowed with an impressive blush, “-I enjoy spending time with you. I don’t want this misunderstanding to ruin our… friendship. Um. I’m sorry.” Goro almost winced at his own words; he was usually very eloquent, where had the words disappeared off to?

“Okay.” Kurusu smiled lightly at him and Goro’s insides did an impressive set of flips and twists.

“O… kay?”

“Yeah.” Kurusu’s smile widened, and Goro had to put a hand on his chest, feeling like his heart may just as well tear itself out of his body at the sheer amount of emotion that smile induced in him.

“But first…”

“Yes?”

“Call me Akira.”

“Alright… Akira-kun.”

.

End

Yes, Kobayashi is human!Morgana’s surname.