[Signing away his life is a normal Tuesday for him - check a spot, mark a page, press black ink into the messy lines that form Akechi Goro.
Only a hard life ending with a man's slashed throat and an acknowledgment of Akechi Goro's existence in a world where his name should have never been uttered.
When he met Haru at the TV station, it was quick. Her presence registering a single step above the bustling crew or audience members. She got a show, he played the part, they went their separate ways.
Signing away his life is a normal Wednesday - check a spot, mark a page and listen to the messy voices that viciously whisper Akechi Goro in tense words exchanged over an untapped phone. There were two lives signed away that day and-
He didn't give a shit. Irrelevant. A harsh laugh under Shido's breath - favors and deals in the flesh and blood of those who know better than to fight back. He doesn't bother. The details are meaningless. A dog unleashed into a once fenced yard - he's supposed to be protection, but Shido doesn't protect.
Engaged. Get close. Stay close. A powerful CEO whose greed overshadows all - selling his daughter for political favors.
Akechi doesn't care - not about this situation, not about her. The pleased noises of those at the table settle into a familiar hum at the back of his skull, like every other unpleasant and annoying task. A whisper in Mementos to crush, a palace ruler to end and Okumura -
A palace is the least of his worries now. Already marked on his phone. Marked in Shido's hitlist. A daughter in place to take control when the man's untimely death hits the news, the media twisting the engagement as good fortune, as destiny, as something to be grateful for instead of suspicious of.
But he doesn't want to do this. A desire to gouge out his eyes with the untouched, polished spoon by his hand over playing house with some heiress.
Akechi-kun breaks the white noise he's mustered up - he remembers where he's at.]
It's a surprise, isn't it? It certainly caught me off guard. I feel like I have to apologize for all of this, though it's not my hand that decided anything.
[They aren't listening. No one is. Who cares about musings of two people with no agency, no freedom.
They can't do a thing.
He laughs - light and airy. Uncomfortable, while trying to feign comfort. It's awkward. Pointless. Meaningless. Unimportant trivial bullshit. He doubts the noble heiress will survive long past her shitty father.]
I'm sure this isn't ideal for you - marrying a stranger with no value in their lineage. My celebrity status carries me somewhat, but I'm not ignorant of how this must look to you. I'll do my best to not embarrass the Okumura name you and your father have worked so hard to cultivate.
[Her fingers tighten on the white tablecloth. She shouldn't be doing that, Father will scold her-
Father is too busy speaking with the man that's making decisions for Akechi, an ecstatic expression spread across his features. How can he look like that, after forcing two people's lives to be forever intertwined? Akechi, too, said that he didn't have any choice in the matter...
Her arms feel so cold.]
Please don't apologize. This... isn't your fault...
[Maybe it's hers, because she wished to have a friend.
If she hadn't wished for more, hadn't wished for her father's love or a friend's smile... maybe fate wouldn't have decided to punish her.
Or was it more literal, her own father's work? She'd barely spoken with Akechi after he helped her clean up that day at the studio... Haru doesn't even think they were on screen together. She can't remember now, her thoughts as loose as water held in her palms, but had she stopped to say thank you to him before leaving? She would've. That seems like her, so... It hardly ever seems like her father remembers she exists anymore, but had he been watching that day, sensing something he wanted within reach?
She wishes she hadn't thought of it, because it makes her stomach turn.]
If you feel the need to apologize, then I should, too... But you don't have to worry about anything like lineage. [A quick glance to the side reveals the two men still engrossed in their conversation. She still has a bit of nerves saying it, but Haru and Akechi are as inconsequential as dust to them right now.] I suppose it doesn't matter what I think anymore, but that kind of thing... It's never mattered to me when I entertained thoughts of getting married.
[She finally releases the tablecloth, folds her fingers into one another. She wonders if Akechi is like the other people that want her for her name, if he's excited about the money. If part of him is actually happy about this, even if he didn't have any say in his future. Many people are different from her, right? They don't care about romance when it comes to marriage.
She wonders if he'll leave her all alone, too.
He doesn't sound happy, though. Polite, genial and maybe a little nervous... But he doesn't sound happy.]
I'm sorry that you're marrying someone you don't have feelings for... But if there's anything I can do to make it easier on you, please tell me.
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breathes froths lattes my soul into the sun
Only a hard life ending with a man's slashed throat and an acknowledgment of Akechi Goro's existence in a world where his name should have never been uttered.
When he met Haru at the TV station, it was quick. Her presence registering a single step above the bustling crew or audience members. She got a show, he played the part, they went their separate ways.
Signing away his life is a normal Wednesday - check a spot, mark a page and listen to the messy voices that viciously whisper Akechi Goro in tense words exchanged over an untapped phone. There were two lives signed away that day and-
He didn't give a shit. Irrelevant. A harsh laugh under Shido's breath - favors and deals in the flesh and blood of those who know better than to fight back. He doesn't bother. The details are meaningless. A dog unleashed into a once fenced yard - he's supposed to be protection, but Shido doesn't protect.
Engaged. Get close. Stay close. A powerful CEO whose greed overshadows all - selling his daughter for political favors.
Akechi doesn't care - not about this situation, not about her. The pleased noises of those at the table settle into a familiar hum at the back of his skull, like every other unpleasant and annoying task. A whisper in Mementos to crush, a palace ruler to end and Okumura -
A palace is the least of his worries now. Already marked on his phone. Marked in Shido's hitlist. A daughter in place to take control when the man's untimely death hits the news, the media twisting the engagement as good fortune, as destiny, as something to be grateful for instead of suspicious of.
But he doesn't want to do this. A desire to gouge out his eyes with the untouched, polished spoon by his hand over playing house with some heiress.
Akechi-kun breaks the white noise he's mustered up - he remembers where he's at.]
It's a surprise, isn't it? It certainly caught me off guard. I feel like I have to apologize for all of this, though it's not my hand that decided anything.
[They aren't listening. No one is. Who cares about musings of two people with no agency, no freedom.
They can't do a thing.
He laughs - light and airy. Uncomfortable, while trying to feign comfort. It's awkward. Pointless. Meaningless. Unimportant trivial bullshit. He doubts the noble heiress will survive long past her shitty father.]
I'm sure this isn't ideal for you - marrying a stranger with no value in their lineage. My celebrity status carries me somewhat, but I'm not ignorant of how this must look to you. I'll do my best to not embarrass the Okumura name you and your father have worked so hard to cultivate.
puts the steam wand to them
No, that's not...
[Her fingers tighten on the white tablecloth. She shouldn't be doing that, Father will scold her-
Father is too busy speaking with the man that's making decisions for Akechi, an ecstatic expression spread across his features. How can he look like that, after forcing two people's lives to be forever intertwined? Akechi, too, said that he didn't have any choice in the matter...
Her arms feel so cold.]
Please don't apologize. This... isn't your fault...
[Maybe it's hers, because she wished to have a friend.
If she hadn't wished for more, hadn't wished for her father's love or a friend's smile... maybe fate wouldn't have decided to punish her.
Or was it more literal, her own father's work? She'd barely spoken with Akechi after he helped her clean up that day at the studio... Haru doesn't even think they were on screen together. She can't remember now, her thoughts as loose as water held in her palms, but had she stopped to say thank you to him before leaving? She would've. That seems like her, so... It hardly ever seems like her father remembers she exists anymore, but had he been watching that day, sensing something he wanted within reach?
She wishes she hadn't thought of it, because it makes her stomach turn.]
If you feel the need to apologize, then I should, too... But you don't have to worry about anything like lineage. [A quick glance to the side reveals the two men still engrossed in their conversation. She still has a bit of nerves saying it, but Haru and Akechi are as inconsequential as dust to them right now.] I suppose it doesn't matter what I think anymore, but that kind of thing... It's never mattered to me when I entertained thoughts of getting married.
[She finally releases the tablecloth, folds her fingers into one another. She wonders if Akechi is like the other people that want her for her name, if he's excited about the money. If part of him is actually happy about this, even if he didn't have any say in his future. Many people are different from her, right? They don't care about romance when it comes to marriage.
She wonders if he'll leave her all alone, too.
He doesn't sound happy, though. Polite, genial and maybe a little nervous... But he doesn't sound happy.]
I'm sorry that you're marrying someone you don't have feelings for... But if there's anything I can do to make it easier on you, please tell me.