[ For a moment, Akira seems genuinely surprised -- that Akechi would humor him and do so in such a thorough manner. And then he smiles, almost bashful, almost embarrassed. There's none of that Joker charm in the way he smiles; it's just Akira, and it's almost painfully and overwhelmingly the smile of a teenage boy in over his head in love. ]

Good. I was always trying to captivate you. I always wanted your attention. Thanks. [ Akira lets his hand drop out of where he'd been playing with Akechi's hair, but doesn't surrender contact entirely, keeping their hands linked. ]

I guess we wound up talking anyway on the walk, huh?