[His eyebrows climb, but only for a moment. He can't be certain, not completely - but Akira can take a calculated guess. He can reach for the words that he thinks could be the right ones.]
Let me ask you something.
[Cumin, cardamom, clove. His hands know what to do, even as his lips move. His head turns completely from the pot.]
Do you like seeing Maruki-sensei smile?
[Simple, but utterly direct. Akira doesn't mention anything about himself, even though Dolph has left him feeling like part of his soul has been scooped out. He knows which of these three he can say, without a doubt, are friends. He doesn't say anything else, either; he waits to see what either of them will say.]
no subject
Let me ask you something.
[Cumin, cardamom, clove. His hands know what to do, even as his lips move. His head turns completely from the pot.]
Do you like seeing Maruki-sensei smile?
[Simple, but utterly direct. Akira doesn't mention anything about himself, even though Dolph has left him feeling like part of his soul has been scooped out. He knows which of these three he can say, without a doubt, are friends. He doesn't say anything else, either; he waits to see what either of them will say.]