This is how it should be. The words echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the dangers they faced. Akihiko couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Every day was a risk, every battle in Tartarus a potential death sentence. He trained relentlessly, pushing himself to the limit in a desperate attempt to protect those he cared about.

But despite his efforts, he couldn't save Shinjiro. The memory of Shinjiro's bloodied hand in his own haunted him, a painful reminder of his failure. And to make matters worse, there was you, Shinjiro's sibling. Akihiko knew the pain of losing a sibling all too well, having experienced it himself with Miki. The guilt weighed heavily on him.

Akihiko stood in the stadium in front of Shinjiro's memorial, his eyes filled with tears. He had always prided himself on his stoicism, but in that moment, he couldn't hold back the flood of emotions. "Why, Shinji?" Akihiko murmured softly. "You idiot."