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[ Akira throws a small fit by trying to stay lazily planted in his seat, but he does eventually stand up with Goro's aid. Rolling his shoulders back, he tries to get used to walking and standing again. It takes him a while to come up with a quip, but maybe he was just waiting for the right time as they leave the area. ]

It sounds like I saw enough of it unlike you.

[ He elbows him with a small smile!! But then the sun puts him in a disarray. No... He does not like this. ]

[Ooh, mean. Goro tucks his grin behind a hand, raising it after to keep the sun out of his eyes to adjust. So bright... or rather, so in their eyes.]

I wasn't looking at you that much. ["I wasn't, was I?"] Though it'd be your fault if I was.

["Because you're brighter than any star... right, all he needs to do is ask why."

... He's prepared, apparently. Yes, he rehearses them in his mind, let him live.]

[ Christ, Goro. He sees that, but his eyes dart fast elsewhere to pretend he didn't. You're so cheesy that Akira is feeling a tinge of secondhand embarrassment. With this advantage, he's not sure if he should play into this as Goro planned...

Might as well throw puppy a bone. ]

Why would it be my fault?

[ Let's pretend to be shy, fiddling with his bangs as he shifts his weight onto one side. "Give me that cheesy line. Slay me." ]

[A pause, then a glance away. There's. No way. He could say that kind of line. It's too cheeky and the last time he so brazenly spoke... But Akira did say he could hit on him whenever-- ah he should actually say something, shouldn't he, there's such a swirly cloud of frustration that is nowhere in his more shy tone, actually.]

Because you... I mean, compared to you, the stars aren't... [shit. no hesitation, goro! you fool!] Um. It just is. Because I find you more interesting than a number of dying lights in the sky?

[... #nailedit? Oh, he's such an idiot. Be confident, they said. Don't hesitate. Next time. Next time.]

I was simply worried over you.

[ "That... was not at all what you repeated in your mind. Not even close." It takes all he can to not burst out laughing since he's sure his friend would not appreciate it at all (then it would also discourage him from trying in the future). Akira's smile goes wry, but he pulls it back. It's time to steal the show again. Here we go. ]

Worried that I'll be a dying light, too?

[ Akira twists Goro's words to make it sound sweet, almost bittersweet. He's a kind, gracious soul who is helping his friend along with his flirting attempts. This is a great opening and opportunity to get a clever word in, Goro. Otherwise, Akira can see that they still have some time before sunset, so he browses his phone again. Which museums are around again? ]

[There's another pause this time, but it's different than the other; his hands slide into his pockets and he tries not to think about his suspicions, about Akira and if he could be connected to the Phantom Thieves, to--]

I'll breathe life back into you, if you're ever dying. I've been wanting an excuse to kiss you anyway.

[The words come out distant and breezy, but from the redness of his cheeks they're genuine. He clears his throat once he realizes what he's said, looking down.]

So-- Er, that was rather blunt of me, wasn't it...

["Words are words. You should've just done it."

... There's plenty of museums around though, including the abandoned one even if it's a little bit further.]

[ He's Very Much connected to the Phantom Thieves, oh boy. But that's the last thing on his mind; it has to be if he wants to spend his time with Goro... One of probably the last serene moments before he decides what to tell him for September.

He said it in the moment in the diner, but... He's still thinking it over. Probably after the talk with Ann, he'll have his answer. For now, he'll have to deal with this endearing person next to him. ]

It is, but it sounds a little much to wait till I'm about to die to kiss me. [ Just saying. His thought bubble does show up as "do you know CPR now? wouldn't I still die, anyway...?"— ] There's an abandoned museum.

[ His face practically beams. ]

[CPR has nothing to do with kisses like that at least, he doesn't think so. Maybe he should invest in learning.

Abandoned museum, though.]

Akira... I realize I say this a lot, but that is illegal. ["I have always wanted to go though... even if it's supposedly haunted."] It's closed off for a reason. It's dangerous.

[... not that he's against danger, obviously, but someone has to try between them.]

You can think of it as investigating and clearing up whatever rumors. It would make Recolle safer if we knew the truth, don't you think?

[ Akira is reframing it as best as he can, but doesn't negate that it's definitely dangerous and illegal. The illegal part isn't that enticing, but he is looking for a rush today. His thought bubble just shows little sparkles and blooming flowers to show his quiet enthusiasm and anticipation.

You can't take this from him. ]

And it looks like you wanted to go.

[ Thank you, thought bubble. There will was no say nor opposition against this, was there... With the turn of his heel, he'll lead them down into the inferno. ]

[He

cannot even deny that he doesn't want to, fuck. Goro sighs and starts after, glancing at Akira's hand and then away.]

You're a bad influence. It's not like there's anything actually there, it's just an old building that should've been demolished by now.

[They don't even allow tours inside the building? So... maybe there is something there, but who knows.]

[ Is he going to chicken out of hand-holding, too? Where's that level 5 courage, Akechi? ]

I know you're grateful that I'm making it easier for you to do what you want. [ Smug sneer as he peeks over his shoulder. ] We'll see what happens when we're there.

[ And Akira's timing is impeccable because look where we are. The towering structure gives quite the haunting aura. Its foundation shows signs of age and erosion, maybe some decay. It's still sturdy seeing that the double door frame seems perfect? The windows, while murky, are also intact.

He sweeps his hand under with a bow, presenting the jagged marble steps to his friend. ]

After you, milord.

[... Fuck, he can't not grin at Akira's smug face, small roses blooming in his thoughts. Bad influence or not, it's true; he appreciates being able to toe the line a little, at least with Akira, though he's certainly unsure about this venture.

He. Does not like spirits. To put it lightly.]

"Milord," now... You know, I quite fancy being a knight over a prince. At least I did.

[But knights are brave and wouldn't hesitate at a building. It's probably locked, they'll have to find a way inside...]

I don't suppose you know how to pick a lock? [Just in case.] Breaking a window and entering wouldn't be ideal.

[ Well, he sees that Goro likes being spoiled or pampered like royalty, so he wonders in his thought bubble if he should be nicer to him more often... Especially with all that has happened in August. The bubble does pop when the acts trespassing come up. ]

If you have hairpins on you, then I'm sure we can work something out.

[ And fucking Goro is on the money. There's a chain barring them from opening the double doors, a dutiful gold padlock keeping it all together. Scratching the back of his head, he lets out an audible sigh. ]

Who uses key locks nowadays?

Old souls. I'd probably use them myself, actually, they're quaint.

[... But he does have hairpins, because of course he does. Here. Man, if he'd brought his gun, they could've just shot it off.]

And they have character. What's not to love?

The security they provide, obviously.

[ He takes that hairpin with one hand as the other quickly youtubes something. "How to pick a padlock" brings some good quality videos, so he takes a moment to watch it in full. It's simple by instruction, but complicated in execution.

At least Akira's fingers are meticulous and nimble from building models, so he does work on the lock. It takes him longer than the video he watched (the longest attempt), but the lock does click open? ]

What a beautiful sound.

[The longer it takes, the more antsy Goro gets; he keeps an eye out for anyone that might report or stop them, leaning against the wall and watching Akira work every now and then. He sighs in relief when it clicks, pushing off the wall and frowning at the state of his hairpin.]

It would've been lovelier if it happened sooner. Watch for cobwebs, your hair'll be a magnet for them.

At least it opened at all?

[ But, uh, here's your hairpin back. Goro may never use it for its intended purposes again, but it'll make a decent picklock for old doorknobs and the like. His thought bubble does imagine himself with an Afro made of cobwebs... is that something he wants? He's not sure.

It doesn't deter him from unraveling the chains, setting them down softly, and opening the doors to a dust bowl inside. ]

At least I have glasses for this.

[ Let's go! What kind of museum was it, anyway? He's curious. ]

[Some kind of old history thing! Think the sorts that might've had small exhibits of ancient wildlife and stuff. There's not much left to it though, pretty much everything but backdrops and props are required to be moved for preservation sake.]

I wish I'd thought to bring mine, but I hadn't planned on going anyplace that'd require them... They would've been nice to have during the presentation too.

[Alas. He's hesitant to go in, and when he does he closes the door almost the entire way so it doesn't seem too suspicious on the outside, using a part of the chain to prop it open. Goro's absolutely taking Akira's hand when he catches up to him though? Absolutely.]

[ Oh, those are pretty cool. He loves him some stuffed animals like that trophy room Goro found himself abandoned in last month. A+. There are some leftover toppled relics of some exhibits (foliage, some critters), probably too tattered/damaged to ferry out.

The dust tickles Akira's nose as he enters, stride put to a halt as he carefully itches it. ]

You do look good in glasses. [ He has seen the magazine photos. As he turns to look at Goro to make sure he's okay, he's actually startled by the sudden hold on his hand? ] Are you scared?

[ Why else would Goro even try to hold his hand in public?! Actually, is this public? Okay, in broad daylight. ]

Please. Who'd be scared of this?

[... It's creepy and empty and feels a little like they're being watched (his own self-induced paranoia) but! You know. This is fine. He's also not the best with the dark unless he's distracted (phone or not), and no matter how much daylight they have there will be dark points in here, he's aware of these things.]

I just don't want to split up by accident. [...] And I wanted to hold your hand again.

[Might as well. Admit to that. This place'll be good to build up his guts... Like, he already went for it, might as well cut through the shoddy excuses. This is Easy mode.]

Any normal person? But I guess that answers my question.

[ Akira is a little unsettled, but he kind of likes it. There's something about the beaten tarp and old smell that brings out the adventurer in people. Despite that, he doesn't question Goro more especially with that reason. Instead, there's a squeeze of his hand.

It's fine. ]

I don't think I'll get lost, but I don't mind this. [ The main lobby seems to be normal with its reception booth intact, piled on dust. ] There are two floors with a east and west wing...

[ And a noise from upstairs. Now Akira is getting the feeling that they're being watched? ]

[Mmmm. This is nice. This is

that was a noise. Goro's grip tightens, glancing up, then blows out sharply. An animal, maybe? Most likely...]

East first. We'll just work our way around.

[let's. let's go.]

[ He's guessing Goro meant the east wing for the first floor? He'll go ahead and lead them over yonder even if he wants to investigate whatever is upstairs. Soon. Very Soon. Just wait— ]

Woah.

[ There's a very manged prehistoric wild cat statue baring its fangs in front of them when they turn the corner. Let's circle around that even if it feels like its eyes are staring at them? ]

Spirits can sometimes possess objects and people, right? At least in fiction it seems to be a very popular concept.

[Jesus--]

Er, yes. If they're powerful enough, if a person is particularly sensitive, if they're welcomes in... The more usual culprits of possession are poltergeist for objects and demons for people, however it's said that given enough time... any object can essentially gain a soul itself due to the life around it.

[Which isn't. Helping him any. But fun facts! Fun facts.]

Your trivia knowledge is coming in handy.

[ It all kind of makes sense! Akira knew about demons and poltergeists, but the line to differentiate the many layers of spirits is definitely beyond him. Bless his friend for having a strange pool of fun facts. They pass the wild cat statue and proceed deeper into the wing. ]

Would it be too optimistic to hope that you might know how to conduct an exorcism?

[ Just... In case? ]

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