[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
[... They are serious, but Minato's never been the sort of person to judge anyone, and this is no different. Something about the concept of changing someone's heart is a little discomfiting for him, someone who has always wanted to see people change on their own.
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
[Minato takes a slow breath in... and nods. It's not his place at all to judge what Akira's doing as right or wrong. It's what Akira feels he has to do, and that in and of itself has merit.
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
no subject
[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
no subject
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
no subject
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
no subject
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
[...]
It must've been hard.