[Spit it out sears and burns at the tip of his tongue, held back only by an ire melding together the cracked edges of his facade. It's important. It's vital. It's Armin and weakness is unacceptable in the wake of his searching expression. He's a rival. Needs to be watched. Needs to be maintained. He's a-

Voice blooming softness and a flicker of something that's been crushed into the dirt. It's soil for a rotting corpse that Akechi isn't digging up.]

No, I suppose not. Well then, I'll do my best to oblige any request from an old friend. Though given our current situation, I can't make any promises.

[Friend meant to sting. Meant to tear. Meant to rip into a festering wound to dig out any remaining compassion to rebury in that grave.

But his tone remains steady - filled with fake warmth and ease.]