[ For all intents and purposes, Akira's words hit Karma like it were a physical hit and lodged itself in his gut. It wouldn't be immediately obvious, unless one took note of the subtle tremors wracking his body or how his head was bowed enough now that his bangs covered his eyes.

He then drew back the hand that had hit the wall and instead opted to lightly press his knuckles against Akira's chest lightly, right where his heart was. ]

I... [ Why does his throat feel really tight right now? ] I'm pissed off that you at least had the damn audacity to try doing that, and that I should have somehow tried harder. To help you two save him, because I know if it was the person I loved being put in that position, I would have done the same as you.

[ That's not easy for him to outright admit but it's there. ]

Yeah. You did what nobody else had the damn strength to. Trying to save someone else's life is heroic, isn't it?

[ These are all unexpected feelings that came out of nowhere. Make them STOP. ]