Ren isn’t like most leaders, at least in this respect, maybe because he didn’t seek out the position for personal glory or an inherent need to accept the responsibility. He was nominated, it made sense, he accepted, and he’s done his best to perform adequately since then.
But part of being a leader is knowing when to delegate to members of the team, and another part is developing the teammates’ own growth and strengths. Ren has faith that Akechi could have been just as strong and effective as he was in a leadership position, if he’d been given the same resources and encouragement. (And not working in opposition to the Phantom Thieves until January, of course.) Akechi may claim he was never officially part of Ren’s team, and he may’ve claimed he didn’t want or need teammates, but Ren disagrees.
So. Ren may not be able to give Akechi the same resources the Velvet Room provided, but he can give Akechi the opportunity and the encouragement to reach his full potential.
Framing it as a challenge is just more effective than being direct about his intentions. Maybe it’s a bit sneaky, but Ren did spend most of the past year operating as a Phantom Thief. And he’s well acquainted with Akechi’s stubborn sense of pride.
“Good,” he says with a nod, doing his best not to beam outright at Akechi’s answer. He then casts a glance around the garage. They’re not making a ton of progress on the engine swapping, and Ren would honestly rather just talk with Akechi anyway. He’s in a comfortable enough place to not feel as much of a need to cloak that desire behind the auto repair task. And it’s not like the van’s going anywhere.
“Wanna take a break? Maybe you could show me around and point out the best places to not get jumped by the wildlife.”
Ren doesn’t think too hard on what the sudden flutter in his pulse means. Adrenaline, probably, from pulling off a successful gambit in convincing Akechi to try being leader.
no subject
But part of being a leader is knowing when to delegate to members of the team, and another part is developing the teammates’ own growth and strengths. Ren has faith that Akechi could have been just as strong and effective as he was in a leadership position, if he’d been given the same resources and encouragement. (And not working in opposition to the Phantom Thieves until January, of course.) Akechi may claim he was never officially part of Ren’s team, and he may’ve claimed he didn’t want or need teammates, but Ren disagrees.
So. Ren may not be able to give Akechi the same resources the Velvet Room provided, but he can give Akechi the opportunity and the encouragement to reach his full potential.
Framing it as a challenge is just more effective than being direct about his intentions. Maybe it’s a bit sneaky, but Ren did spend most of the past year operating as a Phantom Thief. And he’s well acquainted with Akechi’s stubborn sense of pride.
“Good,” he says with a nod, doing his best not to beam outright at Akechi’s answer. He then casts a glance around the garage. They’re not making a ton of progress on the engine swapping, and Ren would honestly rather just talk with Akechi anyway. He’s in a comfortable enough place to not feel as much of a need to cloak that desire behind the auto repair task. And it’s not like the van’s going anywhere.
“Wanna take a break? Maybe you could show me around and point out the best places to not get jumped by the wildlife.”
Ren doesn’t think too hard on what the sudden flutter in his pulse means. Adrenaline, probably, from pulling off a successful gambit in convincing Akechi to try being leader.