[ Akira knew he liked Akechi before, of course. There was never exactly a right time to tell him, because first Akechi was hiding something, then Akechi was trying to kill him, then Akechi was a black mask font of anger after nearly getting killed in the bowels of a cognitive ship.

So. Akira had never told him, though he hoped it'd been indicated here and there (prior to being re-arrested, anyway) in how he always lingered a little too long. He still invited Akechi out, even though most of the invites were simply left on read or responded to with a resounding and caustic "no".

But now Akira was extremely aware that he did not just like Akechi, he Liked Akechi, all capitals and bright red in his mind, because seeing Akechi smile like that so genuinely simultaneously makes Akira's stomach fill with butterflies that rapidly turn into ash, because it isn't genuine. Not really. Not when Akira knows this is fake.

A fake world where Akechi can be happy... Akira thinks it's not so bad, but --

Akechi would hate it, wouldn't he? ]

Don't take too many classes when you get into your top university. I want to utilize my insider knowledge to get free tutoring.