[Haha, well. Ion's just going to keep talking, then. Oops. He tilts his head slightly to the side.]

It isn't easy to turn over a new leaf, I know. When you've been branded as a villain or selfish, it can be discouraging to keep trying to show that you're more than that--especially if you're not so sure that you are, yourself. But, this whole time, I believed in you.

[He has the thought, the urge, to reach out and take Akechi's hands...but he can read the room, so he resists.]

Everything, everything is going to be okay, because you're really so strong, and you're a wonderful friend.