messianic | IC

[Ah, so Minato has heard them, too. Akira nods.]

Right. When I form a bond with someone, the voice tells me their arcana. Those people are my Confidants.

[~~I'm sorry the themeing is this strong, Minato.~~]

You call it a Social Link?

...Yeah, it's the same thing, then.

[A simple nod as well, but he's still blinking curiously.]

For you, they're Confidants... for me, they're Social Links. [Huh...!!]

I didn't realize it changes that much from person to person.

I wonder if there's a reason for that...

[It's surprising to him, too. Is Igor just that committed to making him feel like a thief and a criminal, that even terminology has been changed for him?

It's strange, but maybe this is the way it always is. It's not like he's talked to Akechi about how he experiences the Velvet Room.]

Igor said the Velvet Room reflects a person's heart... maybe that's why we use different words, too.

[... Maybe, but it still seems strange to him. Minato shakes his head a little, sighing.]

It just seems really weird. Like... it's still the same, right?

The way your Confidants work. You're still learning about people, and helping them. So if it's the same, why does it need a different name?

[A nod. It is the same - he learns about others, grows closer to them, and in exchange his Personas are stronger. So the only reason he can think of for the words to be different...]

Like I said, it reflects a person's heart... and maybe how the world views them.

[He scuffs his toe against the ground, clearly a little embarrassed and apprehensive. He trusts Minato, but... this is always difficult.]

Even before all this... I was arrested, back in my home town. Everyone saw me as a criminal.

[A shrug.] And now I'm a Phantom Thief. "Confidant" is a fitting term, isn't it?

[Akira definitely looks far too sheepish about this, and that's not something Minato can let stand. So... quietly, he reaches out, to gently rest his hand on Akira's shoulder, eyes fixed on him firmly.]

...You shouldn't look so embarrassed.

[No embarrassment. No shame. It's not allowed, because--]

You didn't do anything wrong. The world shouldn't have labeled you as a criminal for it... but even though it has, you did the right thing. You're a good person, Akira-san.

[Akira looks up sharply at the hand on his shoulder, but doesn't pull away. Minato surprises him, again and again, with his willingness to reach out - and with his ability to get Akira to give in.]

...I try to be.

[Maybe it doesn't always work out, but he's doing his best. He wants to avoid "ruin," and he wants to help others avoid it as well. He wants everyone to be okay, at the end of this.]

At least everyone is more accepting of it here, than back home.

[It makes him feel less like he has to hide or worry about the impact it will have on his friendships.]

[Back home... people weren't? He knows Japanese society can be harsh about these sorts of things, but it's rough to imagine Akira feeling as though people didn't want to accept him at all because of something like that, when he wasn't doing anything wrong.

Slowly, he drags in a slow breath.]

We know you, here. We all know what you're like as a person. We know...that you just want to protect people. Anyone who knows you at all knows that's the case.

[Unfortunately, it had been rather pressed upon him how society viewed him after his arrested in the worst possible terms. Of course, his friends don't care at all, and so they're who he focuses on. Or at least, he tries to.

But the people here are like his friends; willing to give him a chance and hear him out, not pre-judging him when they find out about his arrest. For that, he is grateful.]

...Thanks. Really. For believing in me.

[A smile, small but genuine. He is very glad.]

You just like to help people too, don't you? [It's not a question, really.]

[Hm... that's an interesting question. Minato looks more contemplative than anything, before:]

It's just nice to get to know people. Sometimes, they might need a little help, or a push in the right direction... and if I can provide that, I'm happy about that too.

But either way...

[He shrugs, hands tucked into his pockets comfortably.]

I just like talking to people.

[He looks Minato up and down, then huffs a laugh.]

Yeah. It's nice.

[And whether Minato intends to or not, he's certainly helping - he's helped Akira, anyway.]

Sometimes it's good, just to hang out with someone.

It is, I think.

[That's more than enough for him, after all. Akira's helped him too, just by being himself and being there.

(Isn't that why Minato just cannot accept that his heart is some sort of "prison"?)]

I guess I should let you go, though... sorry for calling you out all this way just to talk about the Velvet Room.

[It seemed better to discuss in person, though.]

[A shrug.]

It's alright. I don't mind.

[A pause, and then he grins a little, rocking back on his heels.]

We'll talk about you, though, next time.

[No more of this talking about him the whole time thing!]

[Oh my god Akira... Minato snorts softly at that.]

What if I think talking about you is more interesting...?

[... But he'll just lift his hand for a wave.]

It's a deal, though. Talk to you later, Akira-san.

[He's not sure why Minato would find him more interesting, and really that just makes him more interested to learn more.

Next time maybe.]

Alright. [A wave back.] Bye.

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