Akechi takes a moment to process Ren's words. Someone willing to fight for him. Specifically him.

It's... a lot, really. A far cry from the shallow adoration he got from his fans. Something more genuine.

Taking a slow, silent breath, he rises from his place at the bar and turns toward the door. "I should hope so."

Once he leaves through that door, he wakes up in his cramped Convoy bunk, made all the more irritating thanks to his newly grown tail.

But no matter. He has work to do, so once he shakes off his sleepiness, he heads out to track Ren's scent.

...

Ren's... scent. Fuck's sake. What is he, a dog?