I know that it's thematically relevant that Goro is not included in the five VIPs you get letters from but go with me for a second: imagine if he WAS

The Phantom Thieves, still smarting from Goro's betrayal, horrified to discover that they have to cozy up to a cognitive version of a guy they hate. Akira seems cool with it but he's cool about everything

I'm picturing cog!Akechi stationed in a lounge on the ship, one with live music, sitting at the bar and writing in his notebook, always ready to spring into action but staying quiet and out of the way when not needed.

Shido obviously knows that Goro knows the PT's identities, but he doesn't have a high opinion of Goro's intelligence, so any simple disguise is enough to fool him

(Imagining a cute scene where the PT raid a coat closet or something on the ship and try on different disguises to various humorous reactions)

And Shido ALSO knows that his son is gay af so when the PT try sending in the girls, (cuz any teenage boy would be into Ann, right?) nothing happens

Ryuji and Yusuke get warmer responses but still no dice. They're hesitant to let Akira try, since if he's going to recognize anyone, it would be him, but Akira says he's got it

The others watch from afar as Akira saunters up to the bar. They can't hear what he's saying but Akechi is almost instantly engaged in conversation, speaking more than he did with any of them

Akira keeps their heads ducked together, hiding his own face from the group, so all they can see is Akechi growing more animated, until Akira puts his arm around Akechi's waist and he blushes furiously

After that, it only takes a few more minutes. The others watch, stunned, as Akira strolls back over to them, holding the letter, cool as you please

"How did you do that?" Ryuji demands.
Akira shrugs. "I guess Shido and I both know what he likes."

Everyone hurries away, congratulating him and planning their next move, and no one catches the look Akira sends back over his shoulder

Akechi is already back to his pre-programmed pattern, scratching away at his notebook. Truthfully, all Akira did was offer some token praise, a warm smile, and Akechi melted like chocolate

Shido thinks his assassin is easily taken in by the tiniest amount of kindness, of positive attention. Akira isn’t sure why he’s so uneasy at the revelation

The cognition was barely a shade of the real thing, all blank eyes and prim wariness. None of the electric intelligence Akira has grown so familiar with lurking in an identical whiskey gaze

And yet, when Akira leaned in with sweet words and a kind touch, the shining, desperate expression that crossed Akechi’s face pierced right through him, shockingly familiar.

It was the same face he saw when he called out Akechi’s hand-switching. When he carded his fingers into Akechi’s hair to ruffle it and buy them a few more minutes together. When he caught Akechi’s glove and promised another match

It’s the most raw expression Akira ever saw Akechi make, one of hesitant trust and almost childish excitement. And if the cognition can make that face, that means Shido’s seen it too.

Before Akira can wonder what Shido could have done to earn such a rare sight, the others are calling him out of his thoughts, and he forces himself to turn away from the figure at the bar, smoothly rejoining his friends

(Later, he watches the same look flash across the real Akechi’s features just before the bulkhead slams shut between them.)