[ Aki is finding that he doesn't... Mind. Talking about this kind of thing should be harder, more difficult, but for the kind of the person that he is - he always knew his death would come in a way that would be uncomfortable and unpleasant, always knew that he would have to pay the toll for his use of the Curse Devil blade sooner rather than later. Each time he used it his life was stripped of him, and that meant that he was prepared to go sooner than anyone else.

He wishes it had been different, though. He wishes, desperately, that he had been able to do something more for Denji, had been able to make him happier, with the time that they had. Hearing about the horrors that his - friend had faced in the time since Aki has gone...

Undeniably, he hates himself for not being there, not to protect him, but to help him. To be there at his side, to show him how cherished he still is. Aki's depth of love for Denji is incomparable to anything else in his life, but he doesn't know how to say it properly.

Another drink. It makes life easier. ]

I don't know how much interaction I want to have with them. [ Leaning back, he frowns. ] I was brought here from the moment everything changed for me. I know that I am lucky, to be mostly whole [ little flex of his metal arm, haha ] but that doesn't mean I appreciate being... Played around with like this.

[ But what choice does he have? ]

I'll ask. Maybe they'll save me.