[ Akira is quiet for a long moment, because he doesn't know. He wants to. He doesn't deserve to. But the fact that Akechi is asking at all -- it has to count for something. Is Akira just getting his hopes up again? Does he even have hopes anymore? ]

I... do. [ He says, finally, very slowly, like he's not sure he should be saying it at all. ]

I still... I don't want to force you into a role you don't want to do. [ Enemy, or friend, or anything else. ]

But I'm still going to worry about you.