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

Rose Colored Lens

Akira was glad. He was glad that Goro didn't even need convincing, he just trusted him enough to know. "We aren't. All we ever wanted was to save people from those in society that couldn't be taken down any other way." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Goro. I wanted to tell you, I was going to tell you."

Goro smiled, and Akira realized. Of course, he already knew that. That's what he'd meant. "This isn't an accusation. I hadn't just decided to seek the truth at any cost, I made the choice to, well..." He chuckled nervously. "I resolved to stay by your side. I could sense that wherever I was was extremely dangerous, and the moment that set in all I could think was what if you got hurt? How could I continue letting you place yourself in danger when I had no idea if you'd make it back? A bit like how you always want to know once I've gotten home safe. I suddenly heard a voice in my head, I'll admit I was too stunned to even remember what it said exactly, but I felt powerful. I assumed that must relate somehow to how you all change hearts, correct?"

Morgana nodded, jumping onto the table beside Goro. "So, you have a Persona, too? Yeah, you're sorta right. I can explain it a little more if you want, the secret's already out. You've wanted to know how we do it for months."

Goro stared wide eyed at Morgana before clearing his throat and nodding. "Yes, I'd appreciate that. It's still a bit strange hearing you talk, I could hardly contain my shock the first time."

Ryuji glared at him. "Hold up, you said that you couldn't let us keep changing hearts and stuff cause it's dangerous, yeah? What makes you think you can stop us?"

"Oh, that wasn't my intention." Goro clarified. "I can't say I approve of your methods, nor can I deny that you've saved a large number of people. Despite my reservations, I've thought it over thoroughly. I request that you allow me to join."

Akira couldn't focus as everyone began talking at once. Goro wanted to join him? Just to keep him safe? It sounded too good to be true. It probably was. He wanted to be happy, this should be exactly what he wanted! It would be, if Goro wasn't lying through his teeth. 

Goro had heard Morgana before they'd ever met, which meant he'd been in the Metaverse before. Most likely Mementos, all things considered. He would've noticed. What reason could he have for lying? It seemed like such an innocent request, putting his own ideals on hold out of concern for another. But deep in his gut, Akira knew there was more to it. He hated himself for doubting Goro's intentions, but how could he not? 

"Akira?" Goro's voice broke him from his thoughts. "Your friends seem to treat you as a leader. It's ultimately your decision, especially considering my reasoning behind all of this."

Akira crossed his arms. "It's dangerous, you're right. We do fine by ourselves, but there are times I'm not positive we'll make it out." He cleared his throat. "That being said, we're constantly getting stronger. We haven't chosen our next target yet, either." He was suspicious of Goro's intentions, but there was no way he planned to hurt anyone, right?

Then again, there was his Palace. Akira had only told Ann and Morgana about it, but it may be the most responsible course of action for him to inform them all soon.

"I see." Goro nodded. "Well, the lack of target isn't a problem. That's the other part of why I'm telling you this. There's someone's heart I'd like you to change. I don't believe I'm the only one, either." He locked eyes with Makoto. "I'm sure you're aware of how distorted your sister has become."

Makoto nodded, seemingly unsurprised. "Yes, I am. You're right, it was my main motivation for joining the Phantom Thieves." She crossed her arms with a sigh. "You want to change my sister's heart?"

"That's right." Goro paused. "Of course, it's up to all of you. Whatever you decide, I should warn you. Sae-San is willing to do whatever it takes to solve the Phantom Thieves' case. Not only has she been backed into a corner, she's become desperate. Frankly I'm not sure what she'll do. I know that she's lost sight of justice, however. I also believe she isn't entirely to blame. She's under quite a bit of stress now, and I'd prefer a different method used to help her, but right now there isn't time. I have my suspicions that she'd even be willing to forge evidence if it means making an arrest." He concluded his explanation with a distant expression, one Akira couldn't quite decipher.

"I'd like to make the same request. I've known for a while that she has a Palace." Makoto faced the group. "My sister is not a bad person, not like Kaneshiro, but for her sake as well as ours, I want to change her heart. Please."

Akira was still uncertain, but the rest of the Thieves seemed on board. "Alright, I guess our next target has been decided." He looked at Goro. "We'll discuss more as a team on whether it's best for you to join. With your schedule it'll be hard to meet up-"

"That won't be a problem." Goro cut him off. "I won't be making any media appearances for a while, that I already decided regardless of how things turned out today. I do understand needing more time, however." He glanced at the time. "Speaking of, it seems we need to head back. I'll be ending the panel early, there's a few things I need to get done. I'll come by LeBlanc once I'm free, alright?"

"Alright." Akira nodded. "See you then."

Everyone started to disperse then, but Akira stayed back a moment. He didn't know what to think. Goro didn't seem to mean any harm, but he already knew the man was good at putting on a mask. He didn't want to doubt his friend, but what if others got hurt because of it.

"You noticed too, didn't you?" Morgana spoke up, startling him. "He lied about when he first entered the Metaverse."

"Yeah." Akira sighed. "Yeah, I know. I don't know what to do, Mona. I want to trust him, but I don't think I should."

Morgana sat down, shaking his head. "I don't know either. We should tell the others, though. They deserve to know. About his Palace, too. If he does have ulterior motives, we have to be on guard." He paused. "Are you okay, Akira?"

Akira shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think I am."

"Hey, no one is expecting you to be. Just know you've got all of us, and we're here for you whatever happens." Morgana hopped to the ground and pawed at his leg in an attempt to comfort him.

"Thanks, Morgana." Akira chuckled and picked up his bag, letting Morgana hop it. "We'll figure it out, always do. That can wait until tomorrow, though. I have a sort of date with Goro tonight, and nothing is going to ruin that for me."

Morgana groaned. "At least wait until we're sure he's not planning anything bad to ask him on a real date, okay?"

Akira laughed. "I'll consider it."