Chapter 44
“Temperatures will drop sharply tomorrow, with strong winds. Please dress warmly,” the weather forecaster reported. Yu sat on the sofa, folding a paper crane.
He glanced at the TV as the familiar ending theme played.
“Is it going to snow soon?” his father asked. “Remember to dress warmly, Yu.”
“I know,” Yu set the crane aside. “You too. Don’t catch a cold. Work isn’t everything.”
“Yes, yes,” his father chuckled. “Going out with your friend tomorrow?”
Yu’s frequent outings with Ren had made even his rarely-present father aware of his new friend. They seemed close, and the boy seemed well-behaved.
They were happy for Yu and didn’t question his social life.
“It depends. I’ll go if he invites me,” Yu said openly. “He’s been busy lately.”
It had been a while since Sae’s change of heart. They had considered targeting Shido immediately.
But infiltrating his Palace wasn’t simple. His influence was vast, his allies deeply entrenched.
Akechi had been leaking evidence online, with Futaba’s help, to test public opinion.
After saying goodnight to his parents, Yu went to his room, opening his phone and seeing the discussion in the group chat.
[Ryuji: I heard people talking about Shido at school today!]
[Ann: Me too!]
[Haru: My coworkers are discussing it too.]
[Makoto: A good sign!]
[Yusuke: So it’s affecting his reputation?]
[Goro Akechi: Don’t be so naive. The results are disastrous.]
[Ren Amamiya: How so?]
[Goro Akechi: Most people think it’s a smear campaign and still support him. His approval ratings are unchanged.]
[Futaba Sakura: The posts are being deleted. They have an army of programmers scrubbing the internet clean.]
[Futaba Sakura: Now people think it was fake news.]
[Yu Narukami: They trust him implicitly.]
Akechi looked at Yu’s message, cynicism in his eyes.
Trust?
Public justice was easily twisted. Shido had orchestrated mental shutdowns, ruining his rivals’ reputations, then used the media to present himself as the virtuous alternative.
This made him the ideal candidate.
‘No one else to vote for. We have to support Mr. Shido.’
[Ryuji: We’ve waited long enough. Let’s check out his Palace.]
[Makoto: I agree. What do you think, Akechi?]
[Goro Akechi: We can scout the Palace and locate the treasure.]
[Ren Amamiya: @Yu Narukami We’re going tomorrow after school. Can you come?]
[Yu Narukami: Sure.]
[Goro Akechi: We’re in the same class. Why only ask him?]
[Ren Amamiya: He’s combat-ready. You’re injured.]
[Goro Akechi: …I’ll get you for this!]
Seeing the lighthearted banter, Yu chuckled, then searched for “Masayoshi Shido” online.
Only positive news appeared. He was the ideal politician, the promise of a brighter future.
“…Is the truth that unacceptable?” Yu murmured.
“Ren’s facing a similar problem as I did.”
“Let’s see what he does.”
Yu smiled faintly, confident in Ren.
And Yu would ensure his success.
Shido’s Palace was a massive cruise ship, surprising everyone except Akechi.
The interior was similar to other Palaces, except for the occasional transformation into masked rats.
Yu, unaffected, picked up the Ren-rat. The other rat-teammates, feeling ignored, climbed Yu’s pants. He chuckled, poking Ren-rat.
Ren-rat nibbled his finger, asking to be put down.
They navigated the rat maze, identifying Shido’s allies, their masked forms hiding their identities.
Yu glanced at Akechi, who stood at the back, trying to be inconspicuous.
If all of Shido’s allies were here, Akechi’s Shadow might be too.
Akechi slipped away, and Yu followed. Only Ren, always watching Yu, noticed, but he said nothing.
He knew what Akechi was doing.
Akechi, familiar with Shido and the Palace, found his Shadow.
He told Yu to wait outside. Yu complied.
But sound carried clearly.
It was Akechi’s voice, but harsher, mocking.
“Do you think you’re well-hidden? Shido knew who you were the moment you volunteered.”
“You’re as foolish as that woman, a bastard seeking revenge. Pathetic.”
“He’s using you! You’d be dead if you weren’t useful! You’ll be discarded!”
A gunshot echoed, followed by silence, then Akechi’s ragged breathing.
Yu waited. Akechi emerged, gun in hand, eyes cold.
He glanced at Yu. “If I hadn’t promised to confess, I would have killed him, then myself.”
His words were raw, anger and control warring within him.
“That’s not good,” Yu shook his head. “Too easy for him.”
“You’re right. Too easy,” Akechi holstered his gun, chuckling coldly. “Not finding this Shadow earlier was my mistake.”
They returned to find the others gone, Ren waiting.
He waved them over.
He wore his black Phantom Thief outfit, the red gloves a stark contrast, his appearance flamboyant, unlike his real-world persona.
…Unlike Akechi.
Akechi clicked his tongue. “Yu Narukami.”
“Yes?”
“Has my life been a joke?” Akechi asked, a mix of confusion and self-deprecating humor. “I missed so much. The truth wasn’t hidden.”
He had been too young, too arrogant.
Yu’s gray eyes softened. “That’s not how life works.”
“You’re seventeen. You have a long life ahead. Don’t judge it based on this.”
“Wait until you’re old to decide.”
Akechi scoffed. “Talking about possibilities? To a future convict?”
“Yes,” Yu nodded seriously. “Akechi, after your punishment, I hope you find the future you desire.”
Akechi was speechless, caught between criticizing Yu’s bluntness and being touched by his hope.
He said nothing.
“I’ll visit you often.”
“I don’t want to see your face. It’ll ruin my appetite,” Akechi sighed, walking towards Ren.
“And I don’t want to see Amamiya either.”
Yu suggested, “Can Ren and I visit together?”
Are you exploiting a loophole?!
“What?” Ren asked. “Going somewhere after this?”
Akechi: …
Just shut up, you two!
