[ Akira reaches out, grabbing Akechi's other hand so he can squeeze them both, gentle and steady. It's a rush of honesty that's nearly overwhelming, and Akira swallows it down carefully, plays it over in his mind before he responds. ]

It'll work. Even if you're angry, or I can't communicate, or we have fights, so long as -- so long as we both want it to work, we can work it out. That's true of everyone else, too.

They wouldn't have forgiven you if you weren't trying. But -- you are. We've all been trying to change, and it's hard, so... even if you backstep, I'll still be here. We'll make it work.