[just because I want to live]

[those were the only words Akira needed to hear. the ones he was purposefully fishing for with his question. and even if Ichigo doesn't say them aloud?]

You want to live.

[Akira will do it for him, even and calm and purposeful]

. . . I don't have any answers. I can't tell you how to fix what went wrong in your world, because I don't know enough about your situation to understand how that's possible.

But if you want to live, Kurosaki, then I think you should fight for that right.

[he lifts his gaze, trying to meet Ichigo's, but only catching sight of his bowed head instead. even so? he doesn't look away]

Because as long as you're fighting? You'll eventually find your answers.

[don't give up. that's what he's saying, here. he can't offer Ichigo useless platitudes, likes you'll find a way to fix it or you can bring your friends back or you can figure out a way to protect your worlds while protecting your life. he believes all of those things, of course, but it wouldn't do any good to say them. right now?]

[all he knows is that Ichigo wants to live. and he doesn't want to see him give up on that]