"Confident, are we?" Heh. Akechi can't really deny Ren's charms, though. Not after everything they've experienced together.

He's just not going to knowingly inflate his rival's ego or be too forthcoming with the praise. It's more fun this way. A tease here and there, without giving in too heavily.

Then Ren speaks again, and for a fleeting moment, he falters. It's brief. Just a split-second widening of the eyes before nonchalance returns to him, and his left hand returns to his hip.

"Well, it's a good thing you didn't entirely succumb to my charms. Your persistence is what's made our rivalry so fascinating."