... The amount of conflict in his gut is... surprising. He looks to Nines for a moment, some consideration ghosting over his face. He lowers his gaze, up until he sees the older teen's hands lifting. And... there's surprise on his face, almost immediately. Why does Akechi seem this worried? Before he has a chance to stop it, his hands lift--

'-but...?'

His mouth opens just a little as he watches the brunette leave. For just a split second, he wants to take off after him. To stop him. To figure out what the rest of that sentence was going to be. Instead, he looks to Nines.

Akira's shoulders sag a little. But, after holding a blink, he releases a quiet exhale, shaking his head. A wry smile appears on his lips, and he begins moving his hands:

'I can't... remember how I even met him. I can't remember how I became friends with the people I care most about. Not just that, though...'

There's a pause after he scrubs a hand through his hair.

'... I know you want to help. But there's nothing that could help this.'

Aside from time, right?