Marionette(My Strings Are Titanium, You Cannot Cut Them)

Akira wasn't sure he'd ever woken up this tired. He had half a mind just to claim sickness and stay home from school, but on the off chance Goro found out he'd skipped, the guy would just blame himself.

The memory of his friend proved enough to get him out of bed. If he was lucky, he'd see him at the station, confirm at least that he was outwardly alright.

Tapping his food on the wooden floor, Akira grabbed his phone.

"Do you want to stop by this evening? You could even come before closing, if you want."

He sent the message quickly, and just as soon got a reply.

"Unfortunately, I don't have time today."

Akira frowned. At least Goro was well enough to text, right? A day prior, he would've brushed it off as being worried over nothing, but it most certainly was not nothing, as he'd learned only hours earlier.

At Morgana's yelling at him, Akira stood up and got ready for school. Whatever was going on in Goro's life, it wasn't really his business. He could worry, he could offer help and comfort, but he had no idea what was actually going on. It could've been work stuff getting to him, the bruise could be from any number of things.

Okay, fine, Akira couldn't convince himself of that. He trusted his gut. It kept him and his friends alive this long, and he wasn't going to doubt it over his own peace of mind. That would be stupid, just like when he'd watched Ann get into Kamoshida's car and convinced himself it was nothing.

His phone buzzed again, and he was quick to check it despite being in the middle of putting his shoes on.

"If your grades drop because you're too busy worrying about me, then I'm not giving you a rematch at billiards."

Akira chuckled. At least he could count on Goro's sense of humor.

"Ah, you know me so well."
"Text me when you get home tonight, for my peace of mind?"

"Alright."

Feeling better about the situation, though far from any actual peace of mind, Akira finished getting ready for school and headed to the station. He didn't see Goro, but he was a little later than usual, so it didn't surprise him.

The day remained uneventful, thankfully, Akira wasn't sure he could take too much stress right now. Everyone decided to head to Leblanc together after school at Makoto's insistence they get a head start on exams, but in part to discuss Kaneshiro and see any news coverage.

As expected, it was all any news station was talking about. There was nothing of note, more people were believing in the Phantom Thieves and their justice, but that was all at first.

"Considering how a calling card was scattered about, I believe there's no mistaking that."

Akira dropped his pencil at the sound of Goro's voice, turning around quickly to see him on the TV, doing yet another interview on the Phantom Thieves.

His bruise was gone, no doubt covered by layers of make-up like the rest of his face. In Akira's opinion, he looked better without it. All in all, he looked the same as anyone would expect. Akira was proud to think he was one of very few people who had seen Goro as he truly was.

Nothing had changed in how Goro claimed to view the Phantom Thieves. He continued to condemn them, saying that no matter who they changed, they were still in the wrong. Akira saw how mechanically he talked, though, so different than the discussions they had when Goro didn't have to prove himself to everyone around. He wouldn't be shocked if it came out that every line of these interviews was scripted before-hand.