“Kind of…” he muttered sheepishly in reply. “He called me an idiot for wanting to look out for him. Then I yelled back at him.” He released a harsh sigh under his breath. “Probably shouldn’t have done that…”

After another minute or so, Akihiko lifted his head and let his clasped hands dangle between his legs. “I don’t think he gets it… I have to protect people that are precious to me. If I can’t do that, then… I’m no good to any of you.” He closed his eyes and sighed again. “I should have done more to help him… Maybe I could’ve stopped that bastard from pulling the trigger…”