You're back awfully late - is what I would like to say, but I suppose it's my turn to be the tardy one this time. No, I don't need anything at all.

[It doesn't get easier. Every interaction is a test of his all too worn patience, every thrown out allusion to a past interaction hardening a resolve encased in the same steel that shot through Akira's goddamn skull.

Akira has his knife. Akechi doesn't need to see it on his person to know that gift was accepted. He's still Joker and-

Akechi has his own weapons and persona at his disposal. A fight isn't on his current agenda, but standing by Akira's side posing as an old friend instead of recent foe is-

Exciting.

Annoying.

Makes him want to puke and throttle every forgotten memory out of his body. Strangled gasps would recall a bathhouse, slamming his head into wall would dislodge forgotten cafe memories. The urge to beat him until everything returns -

Is strong. He waves it off, like an irritating pest flying near his face.]

I won't keep you long. I thought it might be nice - while you may not remember, we did this often and it worked to clear both our heads. You've gone through a lot the past few days, after all.