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

A Friend, At Least

"I was thinking you might not show." Niijima admitted as they made it to the roof. 

"So, who's heart do you want us to change?" Ann asked impatiently. She had plans after school, which was why they hadn't been able to delay their confirmation of the keywords.

"A mafia boss." Was Niijima's answer. As she explained their target, the trio's eyes went wide.

Akira looked at his companions before turning back to Niijima. "Did you post that comment?"

Niijima's expression turned from grave to confused. "What comment?"

"On the Phansite!" Ryuji told her. "We got a request a couple days ago asking us to take down that same guy."

Ann nodded. "Well, it's was more of a demand than a request, but yeah. I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same guy." She shrugged. "That makes things easy, then. We were already planning to target him."

Niijima looked thoughtfully between them. "You're saying someone already wants this guy taken down. What information were you given?"

Ryuji pulled out his phone to show her the comment, to which Niijima was taken aback.

"How in the world does this person know his name? Police have been trying to figure it out for months!"

"Quiet down!" Ann scolded her. "We really aren't sure ourselves. Thing is, we didn't believe this to be a normal request anyway."

Niijima nodded, steeling herself. "I see, my apologies. I assume you have a plan already for how you intend to change his heart?"

"Yeah." Ryuji grinned. "Don't worry, we'll take care of it soon enough."

"You have two weeks, then." Niijima told them. "That should give you plenty of time, right? I do need to make sure you keep your promise."

"No problem." Akria agreed. It was a tighter deadline than they were used to, but not too bad in the long run. Especially with the information of their mystery commenter. The most pressing issue, of course, would be getting in, but they'd figure that out, too.

With everything wrapped up, they met up with Yusuke and explained the situation. He agreed that, while something sinister was potentially afoot, it was in their best interest to be grateful for the information. 

Deciding it was best to end there for today, they all returned home. Yes, the two week deadline was one they'd have to take seriously, but that didn't mean resting up wasn't essential. They'd all individually brainstorm ways to get into the palace and share ideas in two days, hoping something worthwhile would come of it. Staring at the palace in the sky wouldn't do them any good.

It was evening already by the time Akira made it back to his room in LeBlanc. Yusuke had stopped by briefly to confide in him about his art block, to which he'd agreed happily to do what he could in assistance. The remainder of the day was spent building tools to help their upcoming infiltration, and to keep his mind occupied.

"When are you going to tell me what's been on your mind?" Clearly he wasn't doing well enough at distracting himself. Morgana could always see through him.

Akira set his tools down with a sigh. "That detective, Akechi-Kun."

"You noticed something up with him, too." Morgana confirmed that he wasn't the only one, and it only caused more worry for Akira. "I could tell from when you guys first met, he doesn't seem so good with talking to people despite being on TV so much."

With a laugh, Akira shook his head. "No, I think that's just how he is. I'm talking about the last time I saw him. He seemed tense at the interview, sure, but it was somehow worse then. Not just because he's a little awkward when it comes to talking to people. He seemed, I don't know, kind of scared?"