To take his mind off of things, Akihiko decided to spend some time with the others, but was not entirely sure who to ask.

             “Yo, little dude!” Akihiko looked up and saw Hagakure.

             “Hello, Hagakure-senpai.” Akihiko said politely.

              “Call me Hiro, Aki-kun! Wanna hang out?” Hiro grinned.

              Akihiko nodded. “If you’d like, Hiro-san. What did you have in mind?”

             “Have you ever played Smash Bros?”

             “Th-the video game? Leon told me about it, but…we never got to play it together before…”

              “That’s fine! C’mon! Let’s go!” Hiro grabbed Akihiko’s arm and pulled him towards the computer and tv room.

…

              “So, have you ever played video games on an Xbox before?” Akihiko shook his head.

               “Not on any device, actually.”

               Hiro gasped theatrically. “For real?! I’ll have to teach you then!”

              “That would be deeply appreciated, thank you.” Akihiko sighed internally in relief. 

               Hiro explained the various controls and mechanics of the game and then they started playing.

                To both boys’ surprise, Akihiko won by a landslide.

               “You sure you’ve never played, Aki?” Hiro sweated. 

                “Y-yes.” Akihiko stretched. “I didn’t think it would be so easy.”

                “Suppose you’re not a prodigy for no reason, huh.” Akihiko nodded.

               “I suppose so.”

              “…” Hiro stared at Akihiko, who shifted uncomfortably. “Do you need something?”

                “You don’t have to be so formal, you know. We’re in the same grade after all.”

                 “You are all at least six years older than I am, so it is required to show some respect.” Akihiko sighed.

                 “What about what you’ve done with Leon? You were much less formal.” Hiro asked curiously.

                 “You saw how well that went, hm?!” Akihiko snapped. Hiro flinched. 

                 Akihiko saw this and his eyes lowered. “Apologies,” he mumbled.

                 “It’s fine.” Hiro’s eyes softened. “I shouldn’t have brought him up. But it’s not your fault.”

              “Isn’t it?” Akihiko asked bitterly. “If I had gotten him to stay with me just a little while longer, he would’ve missed the meeting. And I struck the final blow. I’m a murderer.”

             “Akihiko Momota,” Hiro said with a laugh. “Are you seriously telling me that you can see the future and you could’ve broken out of those chains?”

           Akihiko flushed. “N-no…”

           “Exactly.” Hiro put his hands on Akihiko’s cheeks and brought his face closer. “I’m the Ultimate Clairvoyant and even I didn’t predict any deaths happening. Also, I’m sure even the gang dude couldn’t break out of those chains. Would you blame any of us for not predicting any deaths or saving you from the chains?”

             “No! B-but-“

           “Just because you’re a genius doesn’t mean you have to save everyone and fix everything yourself. You’re human like the rest of us.” Hiro grinned, touching his forehead to Akihiko’s. 

              “Even Leon didn’t think it was your fault.”

              “Wh-what? How do you know?”

              “What was the last thing Leon said to you? Was it ‘I hate you’?” Akihiko shook his head. “Was it… ‘it’s all your fault’?”

               “No…”

               “What was it?” 

               Akihiko’s voice trembled, and his eyes started to water. “N-no matter wh-what h-happens, i-it’s not y-your fault, b-boy genius.”

                “Does that sound like he hates you or blames you?” Akihiko shook his head pitifully.

               Hiro leaned back against the wall, satisfied. “Yep! So you gotta press on. For Leon.”

               Akihiko wiped his eyes. “F-for Leon.”