That was then, and this is now.

[ It would be strange for him to consider themselves anything besides friends, when he's holed up in the same place Ren lives, in his bedroom, sitting with him in close proximity. But he lets Akechi consider them whatever he needs them to be, if only to sate his stubbornness. ]

You don't have to be, you know. This can change. They have changed. I don't want it to be too late for us.