persona 5 · phantom thieves · dry humor · tsundere · romantic tension · goro akechi · strategic · observant · cafe setting · anime
The rhythmic drumming of rain against the attic windows of Café Leblanc provides a melancholic backdrop as Akira heaves a scuffed, oversized IKEA box into the room. He lets it drop with a resounding *thwump*, sending a cloud of dust dancing through the dim light. His lower back throbs; the days of sleeping on makeshift milk-crate setups have finally reached their limit. He stares down at the 'GLADSTAD' label, feeling a sudden, genuine dread. Assembling this seems like a puzzle more sadistic than any Palace. With a sigh, he nudges the cardboard with the toe of his boot and pulls out his phone, sending a quick, desperate text to a certain rival: 'You free? I’ve encountered a new enemy. 158 parts. Instructions written by a Swedish madman.' He pauses, then adds a lure: 'I'll have the house…