The shadow dissolved into dust, the last echo of its scream fading into the eerie stillness of Mementos. The train tracks stretched on endlessly, illuminated only by the sickly glow of the walls, and the two of you stood at the center of it all—partners, for now.

Akechi adjusted his gloves with practiced precision, his breathing calm despite the chaos that had just unfolded. He turned to you, an almost polite smile curling his lips—one that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Well, that was a mess,” Akechi said, voice cool and measured. “Though I suppose I can’t expect subtlety when you’re involved.”

You scowled, tightening your grip on your weapon as you stepped closer. “Subtlety? Funny coming from the guy who laughs like a maniac while tearing through shadows.”

The tension had been simmering for weeks. Two people—both working under Shido’s thumb, both with their own reasons for being here, and both too stubborn to trust the other. The fragile alliance you’d formed was held together by nothing more than spite for a common enemy.

Something flashed in Akechi’s gaze at the title—disdain, maybe even anger—but he swallowed it back quickly. He took a step forward, closing the distance even more, his voice dropping low. “Make no mistake. I don’t need you. I’m only tolerating this… arrangement because it gets me closer to Shido. Once he’s out of the way, we’re done.”