[ Yeah, this would be his fault for being adamant. The other Thieves mostly agree, but with how close Ren is to it, how Akechi exists as an almost perfect photo negative of his circumstances as a Wild Card through no fault of either, maybe it wouldn't fly to say "It's my responsibility" and refuse to offer any other explanations to an outsider.

Ren's gaze shifts to Makoto in acknowledgement, very much collected as he looks back to Hajime and leans against the wall. ]

It isn't. That's not out of being obstinate, but I want to respect Akechi's wishes given they've already been overstepped.

What I will say is that he's not a killer because he wants to be. He's had a hard life and he was forced to make choices that shouldn't be put to kids our age. Younger. He's been hurt and been forced to hurt people just to survive.

[ His chin drops, fingers itching inside his jumpsuit pockets like they want to soothe his own agitation. ]

And we had to put a stop to it. The kind of punishment he deserves for what he's done can't be doled out by us or this place. But that doesn't mean we don't sympathize with his story or don't want to help heal what we can. All I can say is he's not a danger to anyone here. He deserves to rest.