[ Aki hesitates, leaning back as he watches. Denji is different now, he thinks, but he can't place why - he can't figure out what's changed, what's different. What had happened, in the time between Denji seeing him last and the two of them meeting here? What experience has coloured Denji so deeply that there is a rift between them that's impossible to close?

He doesn't know how to fix this, he doesn't know how to make it better. It's going to take more than just some food and a handful of hours together to repair this. Add to that his knowledge about what Makima is - or always was...

Rubbing his hand over his face, he groans quietly. ]

I don't know, Denji. I am trying to treat this as if it is normal, as if nothing has changed, but obviously something has. Something is different.

[ He sinks down, sliding down to the ground, resting his hand on a lifted leg. ]

I don't know what to do.