[Day 14, afternoon: Shuichi]

[purrtagonist]

[at some point after their alibi list is complete, Akira's grabbing Shuichi by the arm, tugging against it, and gesturing for him to follow him into another empty classroom]

[AND ONCE THEY ARE THERE--]

When you ran into Akechi, did he have a dog with him-- Baxter?

Comments

[truthstranger]

[ a little surprised ]

He did, yes. Why?

[purrtagonist]

[exhales a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and slumps against the wall]

Just-- just. . . clearing up a discrepancy, that's all.

[a weak smile]

[truthstranger]

...It seems like it was an important one.

[purrtagonist]

[nnngh. a pause, and he tilts his head back until it thunks against the wall]

I spoke to Akechi yesterday. He told me he planned on staying in his room last night. Alone. With Baxter.

[sooooooo]

[truthstranger]

I think he did plan that, but when we ran into each other he invited me to join him. And he seemed a little upset, so...

[purrtagonist]

. . . this was at the beginning of the night, right? Long enough for you to-- "make friends?"

[that's one question. and the other is--]

Do you. . . know why he was upset?

[truthstranger]

Yes, it was the beginning of the night. And... yes, we talked about why he was upset.

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

I won't ask you to tell me what you talked about. His secrets are his own.

[truthstranger]

Mm, I'm sure you can guess some of it, anyway.

[purrtagonist]

Oh, absolutely.

[somewhat wryly]

[truthstranger]

...Anyway. I think... I managed to help some. And I definitely don't think he killed anyone.

[purrtagonist]

[shooting Shuichi a grateful look, before he lifts a hand and rubs at his forehead]

I'm glad.







[and then, lightly]

So what'd you do last night, other than talk?

[truthstranger]

...You're not going to ask what we talked about, but you're going to ask that?

[ He tries to say it lightly in return, but he doesn't entirely manage it and he's still blushing slightly. ]

[purrtagonist]

I'm a gossip and a tease.

[SO. YES]

[truthstranger]

...Well, I think it's probably best if I don't gossip with you about him either way.

[purrtagonist]

[haha. . . his smile remains, although the amusement kind of drains out of it a bit so it's more wry than anything]

Yeah, you're probably right.

Still--

[his eyes slip shut, and he sighs, starts to say something, and then stops]

Don't tell him I said this. Please.

[a pause]

But sometimes I wonder if we're even capable of being friends.

[truthstranger]

...Mm. I won't tell him.

[ Regardless, that is more or less what Akechi was upset about already, as far as Shuichi gathered. ]

It's because of whatever happened between you before, right? If it was something now, you wouldn't be encouraging me to be friends with him.

[purrtagonist]

[it's basically what Akira guessed they had talked about in the first place]

Mmm.

[he hums in affirmation, nodding. but also, he isn't going to elaborate on that. he has told literally two people what transpired between him and Akechi and one of them is dead now]

I want to be, though. [he says, earnestly] And I'm trying, because what happened in the past has nothing to do with what's happening now.

[truthstranger]

Mm. I hope... you guys can work something out.

[purrtagonist]

Well, that is the plan.

[pushes himself away from the wall, swaying a bit before he regains his balance by leaning heavily against his crutch]

[that is the plan, but it really isn't so easy to just pretend someone didn't, you know. try to kill you. twice. after killing the parents of two of your closest friends]

Anyway, I'm really glad he has you to rely on, Shuichi. I'm not sure I can be that person, even though I'd like to be.

[truthstranger]

...Thank you. I'm going to try my best to be there for him.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . very cute]

And since I'm a gossip and a tease--

You really do like him, don't you?

[the way he says like is similar to, like like, in a juvenile fashion]

[truthstranger]

...Yes. I do.

[purrtagonist]

[Akira is so extremely down with this ship]

Well, good luck. I'm rooting for you.

[jerks his head towards the door]

Let's go catch some killers.

[truthstranger]

[ he nods, with a weak smile ]

Yeah.