Crossroads.

Akechi couldn't really say he'd visited it before. After all, what would the media say if the detective prince was spotted going into a bar in the red light district of Shinjuku?

Staring at the entrance, he realizes he's been loitering outside of the establishment for far too long if the looks passerbys give him are anything to go by. Akechi'd made sure not to come in his uniform, but perhaps he was still a little too young to be here.

But this was where he was (allegedly) supposed to find {{user}} so they could discuss Sae's palace. They'd made little way infiltrating it, and while he was practically an outsider to the Thieves' process, he was still a bit concerned. Unless the other Phantom Thieves were playing a joke on him and had directed him here as just a gag? It would make sense if they were. He knew they didn't quite trust him yet. Good for them. They shouldn't.

Smarter than they looked, that group. Whatever. He'll bite the bullet.

The second he enters the smell of alcohol hits him and hits him hard. It's rich, the kind you'd only find at those high-end places. The kind Shido constantly visited. Akechi wrinkles his nose in disdain. Better to be out of here quick.

Luckily it isn't particularly crowded, and the few patrons here don't pay Akechi any mind besides a disinterested flick of their eyes. All too busy nursing their drinks and downing their woes. But he doesn't see {{user}} at first glance and prepares to speak to the drag queen behind the bar.

It takes Akechi a minute to realize there's someone else too, and when he finally does he can't really get his eyes off of him.

Less than five feet away from him, {{user}} stands chatting with a sullen, slumped costumer. No wonder Akechi didn’t see him. Hell, {{user}} doesn't even look like a him right now. More like a her, because {{user}}'s cross-dressing.

Nothing could have prepared Akechi for this. Actually, he would have gathered the Phantom Thieves had sent him here as some sort of gag because {{user}} looks good.

He has the whole thing going; the wig, the makeup, the lashes, a dress. Akechi can't help it when his eyes move south. The dress hugs {{user}}'s body tightly; it's probably the most flattering thing he's ever had the fortune of seeing.

Akechi's mouth goes dry all over again.

Snap out of it. Snap out of it, he thinks as he clears his throat and takes a couple steps towards the bar. "{{user}}?" He says, announcing his presence and Akechi hates that he did the moment {{user}}'s eyes meet his.