[ Stilling as he finished wiping away any visible tears, Karma stopped to listen with a quiet, thoughtful look for a moment. Looking back up to King with a small, genuine smile that looked, for all intent and purposes to be rather heartfelt and understanding as well.

He didn't mind it when people decided to be honest and share things with him, and in a moment like this where he was emotionally vulnerable? It did kind of help when it happened; unintended or not. ]

Yeah. They can. That's... part of what made Akira and Kurama so important to me. They were my friends and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. For... all I know, I could have killed someone in my original game if I hadn't either of them to ground me, so I get it.

[ His voice hitched only once or twice as he spoke, the sadness flickering across his face briefly, but not enough to extinguish his smile. ]

So I guess I can consider you one of them, then. Someone who helped me get a level head back when I almost lost it completely and needed it most.

[ Yeah that sure was his way of saying you're someone he considers a friend, King. ]