It's not a bother. Please, don't worry about it.

[ WELL. It's a little bit of an inconvenience and kind of awkward, really, but a Pleasant Boy and Good Friend couldn't say that out loud, right? ]

Honestly, though... What did I tell you about being as reckless as Kurusu-kun?

[ His tone is mostly in good jest, but there's a hint of truth to it. Come on, Minato, you're supposed to be the good protag!! ]

You don't have to apologize. It was a simple friendly jab, you know.

[ A simple friendly jab with a whole lot of truth behind it, though. Akechi is supposed to be an antagonist here, why is he suddenly babysitting these stupid protags... ]

Regardless, I do believe I might have to check on you more often. I don't want to think of what might have happened, if I hadn't run into you by chance just now.

Too busy? If anything, I have quite a wealth of free time in this place. A lot more than I did back home.

[ Sure, there's no school, and no detective work, but mostly he's just glad he doesn't have to spend his nights all on his own in the metaverse. So really, while this may be a little troublesome, it's nothing he can't handle. ]

Besides, you have done it often enough for me. Shouldn't a friend simply return the favor?

[ If Minato really meant that, that is. ]

Hm. Don't mention it.

[ Well, that's just the thing.

There's a part of Akechi that really does mean it, a part of him that wants to get closer to people, maybe even make a friend, but the other part... That's the overly cautious side, too wary, too unwilling to trust fire, like someone who has been burned far too much before. While his friendship isn't a lie, it's tentative, fragile, and perhaps unworthy of Minato's honest feelings.

On the other hand, there is at least one thing that adds to Minato's positive score: ]

I must say, I find it refreshing that you actually accept my help without much protest. Mostly everyone else seems to subscribe to the notion that they should shoulder their burdens on their own.

[ But Minato? Minato is relying on him, for a change. That's... not a bad feeling. ]

[ He offers a soft chuckle at that, and then: ] You'd be surprised with how silly some people can be.

[ But, he'll be considerate enough not to mention any names, at least. Maybe Minato will figure it out on his own... or maybe those silly people will rely on him before they even consider Akechi a viable option. It wouldn't surprise him in the least. ]

At any rate, I'm also grateful that you do allow me to help you. I suppose worrying is inescapable under these circumstances, but at least like this, it will make me feel more at ease.

Endearing...?

[ Well, that... came out of the blue, so much it's disarming, really. He was used to being praised for his looks, for his sharp wits and even for his charisma, but the people he had met in this place seemed to find different sides of him that even Akechi himself wasn't aware of, throwing around words like "cute" and "endearing"... "a pretty nice person," even.

Was his mask just that more effective than he thought or... ]

A-ah, I wouldn't go that far, really. [ He offers a rueful chuckle at that. ] This is simply doing as I have been shown. To worry, and to help, that is just...

[ Hmm. How should he word this...? ]

Just trying to do the right thing, isn't it?

[ Like Minato has said before. ]

[ Akechi falls silent at that, and he feels the makings of a fluster beginning to burn his cheeks, so he looks away, eyes taking a sudden interest on pebbles along their way. ]

You truly do have some strange notions, Arisato-kun.

[ He manages to say, and it's not really meant to be taken as a reprimand of any kind. On the contrary, it even sounds a little... fond. ]

But, if you think that's endearing, then shouldn't the same logic be applied to you, as well?

Earnest...?

[ There's a rueful huff at that, one that doesn't devolve into downright pity laughing only because Akechi has good self control. Everything about him is fake-- his ideals, his career, his personality... even his feelings. Or... was it?

(Deep down, he knows that Minato has hit bull's eye, that he has trouble getting close with people, both because he's wary of growing attachments and because he plain doesn't know how to. It's also true that has seen some change, in the time he's spent in this colorless world. That maybe, just maybe, he has started to grow fond of a very select few.

Could there be such a thing as an earnest liar...?) ]

Well, I suppose I'm not the type of person who will simply shower my thoughts and feelings over someone without prompting-- or perhaps under the effects of sleep deprivation.

[ Is this a jab at Minato? Very likely so. But it's not mean-spirited, at least; if anything, it's closer to... teasing. ]

[ Akechi huffs out a small laugh of his own, and offers a shake of his head. ]

I don't mind it at all-- and even if I did, we're just close enough to your house that I wouldn't have to endure it for much longer, either way.

[ It's kind of amusing, if he's being honest, but that's not the real reason why it doesn't bother him. ]

Besides, sleep deprivation is said to have similar effects on the human psyche as alcohol-- impaired cognition, but also lowered inhibitions. In this way, I feel like I'm getting to know the deepest, most real version of you.

On the contrary. I've often found that straightforward people are some of the most interesting to get to know.

[ From his point of view, anyway-- people who don't wear masks, people who can truly be themselves and not care much about what everyone else might think... Akechi finds them fascinating, for being everything he can't.

But, hopefully Minato is too sleep deprived to give too much thought into what he might mean. ]

But, that's something that can wait until you've had some proper rest. [ And now that Minato's place is within sight, hopefully that'll happen sooner rather than later. ] Just hang in there for a few more steps, all right?

There's no need to thank me. It was my pleasure to help.

[ That said, he's going to let go of Minato and sort of... stand back. He's not going to leave until he sees for himself that the poor guy has actually made it home instead of wandering off or maybe falling flat on his face. Just to be sure. ]

And remember, if there's anywhere you need to go, please make sure to take someone with you. You can message me any time.