Chapter Text
Haru Okumura looked out the window of her limousine, the sound of the raindrops against the glass oddly comforting this afternoon. It always acted as a de-stresser through her childhood, likely caused by memories of it meaning less work in the garden. With a meeting like the one waiting at her destination, she needed all the sources of calm that could be gathered. It wasn't enough to have already gone through grief in its own complicated form, it wasn't enough it seemed to have to relive everything she went through in high school. No, it seemed the world would never give her a break when it came to this man.
The vehicle gently came to a halt in front of her destination, with her patiently waiting for the driver to come around and open her door. The rain seemed to pause for now, but she kept her umbrella with her while stepping out of the vehicle.
“Remember, I've no idea how long this may take so no need to wait here. Once the meeting has concluded, I'll call to order my pickup.”
The driver nodded, making the walk back to his door in the front. Haru pulled her cell phone from her bag, calling Takakura for a brief chat before she entered. When he picked up, he seemed to be just as deathly serious as she felt herself being. She gave simple, quick responses as he explained what room the meeting would be in as well as restating what few precautions she allowed him to make security wise.
“Ms. Okumura, are you certain that you'll be fine on your own? If this man is in fact who you told us he is, we have a right to be worried for the co-head of our company.”
She gave a soft sigh, forcing some of her usual cheeriness back up to the surface.
“If he is who all signs point to, then I assure you it's more likely his safety is jeopardized. You'll be right after the limousine service in my queue of calls, Takakura-san.”
She ended the call shortly after, beginning to walk into the tea house. As she made her way back to the room, her heart was pounding in her chest. There were almost too many emotions to attempt and navigate through before this meeting. Anger, confusion, hurt, relief…it was a volatile cocktail of personal vendetta. Deep down, she felt maybe the dedication to finding him for this job was a sort of redemption offer. Almost no one was too far, and considering the bond they once had, she was willing to offer it no matter what.
Upon entering the room, she closed the door behind her. Haru managed shockingly well to keep her composure upon turning around and looking at him. He seemed so different from when she last saw him, most likely on purpose. His hair was a slightly shorter length than it once was, with a well trimmed lining of facial hair along his jawline. There seemed to be the ghost of hair along his lip as well, further cementing a shift away from his old looks. Goro Akechi sat there, looking mildly annoyed rather than anything else. Good, he's just as on edge as I am.
She slowly walked forward, reaching into her bag to have a business card in hand. Out of tradition, she gave a gentle bow while handing the card face up. Once he took it, she immediately stood straight before sitting down across from him.
“Well,” he managed to let out, “I hadn't expected you to give me any signs of respect. You've managed to catch me off guard.”
That smug tone absolutely seemed to have stuck around during all the time they were apart. Anger started to boil to the surface, but she was able to push it down.
“Well, they do say to respect the dead. I thought it might also be appropriate despite everything due to the amount of money I used to assure it was in fact you. As far as I'm concerned, I'll eat that cost regardless of how today goes.”
He said and did nothing, both of them remaining silent as their refreshments were brought in. A kettle was placed in front of them, along with two cups and a selection of teas. A collection of both sweet and savory snacks were also brought in, with the door closed again behind their attendant. Upon looking at him, Haru saw a sort of fear mixed in with longing she couldn't recall ever seeing him display before. She watched as Akechi began to prepare the cup, but stopped before picking up the kettle.
“I hope you're not going to try the double spout trick on me. I've read about it plenty of times and-”
“Had I wanted you dead,” Haru began through a clenched jaw, “I would've spent the yen used to locate and confirm you as alive to instead finish what Cognitive you began. Am I clear, or do I have to derail this meeting to prove it?”
He seemed taken aback, not anticipating such a venomous response. Akechi simply nodded, pouring the water into his cup before taking a tea sandwich to nibble on. As she watched him, she took in just how much he had aged. They were similar enough in years, and yet he looked like he had lived twice that. Her informant had told her he was living mostly off the grid, simply enjoying a cabin life and doing some small local selling. The fact he was brought in front of her was impressive.
“So, I imagine you're curious why I went through all of this?”
He took a deep breath, then nodded and spoke up.
“I'll admit, ever since I was approached about this whole thing I've been on edge. I'm sure you can imagine how it feels to have been hunted like a dog.”
I should put you down like one too. While pushing the thought down, she sipped her own tea before replying.
“I imagine not too dissimilar to how your victims felt when they realized a shutdown was happening to them, but I'll refocus. I've become a bit of a higher presence in my late father's company,” Haru gave a pointed glance at Akechi while mentioning her father, “and that comes with a bit of a need for some security. That alone has been stressful enough, but what really has me checking for gray hairs is this: The Metaverse seems to have returned.”
Akechi's eyes grew wide, and he leaned forward with a sort of renewed intrigue.
“Do you have confirmation of this? I thought the app had reappeared on my phone but I regarded it as some sort of dream.”
She shook her head, aimlessly picking at a crumb cake.
“Ren had given me a call, and after first telling me just how difficult it was to reach me directly filled me in. There haven't been any shutdowns or incidents, but obviously it's a bit more difficult as adults to go and try to find Mementos again. Not to mention the anxiety this causes me considering…”
His gaze went directly to the floor, once more surprising the woman. His face kept his emotions regulated, however his eyes were an open book. Regret. It was an emotion she never thought he could have felt. Time seemed to have changed him a bit, or perhaps it was the isolation. Haru could barely begin to imagine just how much introspection she would do in his shoes, nor how much self hatred must've festered inside.
“Well then,” he finally forced out, “how do I fit into all this? Looking to keep a constant vigil on me to make sure I don't go for a sequel?”
God he's still a little shit. Once again she held back her resurfacing contempt, clearing her throat.
“You have quite some experience as a guard dog, and you're the only person I'd trust to handle any potential Metaverse meddlings if it is truly back. Simply put, I have an offer for you. I'll hire you in under whatever fake name you're going by and you'll be my primary security. Though of course, if you find my offer lacking, I could let the police know I've found you after all this time. I'm willing to swallow my own issues with them to do so.”
She was lying of course, having long since had her fill of any officer that wasn't Makoto. It was simply bait laid upon the trap, tempting her prey into exactly where he needed to be. All that awaited her, as she placed her hands together on the table, was to see if he took a bite at the bait. Akechi appeared to be running through a few scenarios and thought processes.
After a few moments, as if anticipating that she was about to threaten revoking the offer, he extended his arm. His fatigue was very present on his face, looking as if he just lost a chess match he didn't even know he was participating in.
“Very well, I look forward to being nothing more than your loyal hound, Noir .”
Haru smiled, possibly her first genuine one in longer than she cared to admit. She wondered, while taking his hand to shake it, how much he would try to act like he had some form of upper hand. She had complete power over him, in a way owning him down to his very soul. In a way, she would even own his very Persona.
“And I look forward to giving you your first task,
Crow
.”