[ And likewise, Ren considers Akechi different from all the people he's had connections with as well. He's his antithesis; the one person who stood up against his own beliefs, but also remained at his side through it all. There was an agenda, Ren understands this well because it was his life they were dangling on a line, but still- he feels something real there through the thick of it all.

He can only imagine how Akechi feels. Having his entire life purpose stripped from him and live to tell the tale is- punishing, to say the least. ]

And you make it sound like it's too late. I don't think it is- we're both still young.

[ After all, they're almost the same age. Akechi is a year older, but that means he still has his whole life ahead of him. ]

You can start over. Find something else to invest in. And- we can remain friends.