[He shakes his head in refusal.] That's not a valid excuse. Everyone has their own struggles here.

[He doesn't want anyone to feel stressed about the upcoming solstice. (Well, the other marked kids can't help it, but they're an exception to the rule.) Akihiko certainly can't ask her to bear this heavy burden for him, even though he...]

I... [He is still trying to sort out his thoughts, and wonders if any of it will make coherent sense once voiced.] I felt... angry, when I heard about what's going to happen to you.

[Helpless, inadequate, guilty, hopelessly doomed to repeat the past when it has already happened before to Miki and Shinji. Maybe Ryoji isn't the sole embodiment of Death.

Akihiko shifts his gaze away, feeling awkwardly exposed in this moment. His gloved hand latches onto stray strands of grass, and idly tugs at them out of strained discomfort.] It isn't... fair, damn it. You don't deserve that, after everything you've done for us... for the world. Why do you... have to die, before you really even get the chance to live...? You won't get to have a future, just like... Miki...