That’s the thing about being a Wild Card, even one who never reached full potential - those bonds go deep. That’s why Ren hasn’t been able to shake off the hurt welling up in his heart by Akechi’s revelation of not being dead as easily as he does with other things.

Their bond meant so much to Ren - still does, and this story he’s spun for himself about Akechi not placing the same importance on their bond is a betrayal stemming from his own heart and mind. As much as he is mentally shaking himself to let it go already, he’s angry with himself for being so - how did Akechi like to phrase it? Brainlessly sentimental - just as much as with Akechi for withholding the truth from him. Maybe even more so; Akechi is who he is, and Ren knows that. A crow doesn’t change his feathers, after all. Akechi’s hatred for his father was a core facet of himself - of course nothing else would be more important than seeing his revenge completed. He could no more divorce that rage and pain from himself than Ren could separate himself from his sense of justice.

Ren shakes himself from his thoughts and returns to the present, meeting Akechi’s gaze with a razor-sharp grin. Joker’s grin.

“Kinda hoped you might.”

Behind the glasses, his dark eyes sparkle with mischief. Almost teasingly, he adds:

“Maybe I could even join your team for a change. Let you boss me around.”

Akechi’s more familiar with the situation, after all. Ren’s ego isn’t so invested in being The Leader as to insist on taking over.