Life Will Change

Chapter 41: Study Day

Begin!

~Normal POV

7/10 - Sunday

Akira had been hoping for a more relaxing day, but having to watch the store for Sojiro all day wasn't his idea of "relaxing." And since he couldn't let Morgana downstairs while they were open, he had no one to keep him company. But that would have looked strange to any customers since he was the only one who could understand the cat. LeBlanc was never busy so that was a positive. The only people who had come in so far were a regular old couple. (The lady of which commended him for his good manners.)

All the while, his mind was left to wander as he worked. Mostly, he thought about Ann, school, their possible future target, speculating on who Sojiro was always talking on the phone with, what they might do for their next celebration... While Akira was cleaning up, he heard the door open. He was expecting to see Sojiro returning from his mystery errand but that wasn't the case.

It was a woman who entered. Just by looking at her Akira could deduce who she was. She was tall and imposing. Had grey-blonde hair. Reddish brown eyes. He had seen her come in before as a customer, but that was before he knew Makoto. There was no mistaking the resemblance between them. This was prosecutor Sae Niijima.

Feeling that he should be cautious about revealing his identity, and his friendship with her sister, he chose to be professional. "Welcome. What can I get you, ma'am?"

She looked around the store for a moment, her sharp eyes searching for what he did not know. "Nothing today." She replied. "I'm here on business. Is the owner in?"

"I'm sorry, he had to run an errand; he didn't say when he'd be back."

She pursed her lips in annoyance. "Hm. Just my luck..."

"Is it something I can give to him in a message?" Akira asked, politely.

"I'm afraid not. It's official business." She sighed. "I can't afford to wait here all night. I'll just come another time." Instead of immediately leaving, she took a second glance at him and asked. "Aren't you the one Akechi debated with on tv back in June?"

Akira wasn't expecting her to have seen that or even recognize him from such a thing. "Er, yes... I just happened to be there for a school trip and got singled out..."

"It happens. But if you don't mind, I'd like to ask; have you changed your opinion at all since? From what you told Akechi?"

"I have not, ma'am." Akira replied, honestly. "If there are phantom thieves out there helping people, and stopping criminals the police can't catch, then I'll root for them without question."

Sae gave him a polite nod. "I can see why you'd have that opinion, but I have to respectfully disagree. Thank you for your time, kid."

She left without another word. She didn't even leave a business card or anything. Whatever she had to talk to Sojiro about, it must not be something she'd want him on guard for. But what could she have to say to him? Sojiro was just a cranky old man who wanted to be left alone in his coffee shop. He was no criminal; especially not on the level of investigation by the SIU.

Akira's train of thought was interrupted by a call on his phone. It was Ryuji asking if everyone could come over tonight for a study group. He readily agreed; studying would keep him from worrying. Akira would likely never see eye to eye with Sojiro, but he did feel some degree of protectiveness for the old man. He was his guardian, and a friend of his family. Hopefully whatever trouble he was in wasn't going to affect him in some way.

~...

It was an hour later when everyone arrived; Akira closed the shop so they could be alone; and to let Morgana come downstairs again. (It didn't look like Sojiro was coming back today anyway.)