No. You don't have to apologize. I want you to feel like you can rely on me.

[Akira's used to situations like this, where he's sitting on the other end of a table, listening to someone tell him about their problems. he never minds it. and in Ichigo's case? he's even glad for it]

[he feels like he should repay the favor]

[quietly, as he gathers his thoughts and his words, he reaches out to pick up his drink from the table, swirling it around the paper cup as he does so]

. . . two of my friends from home are here. I didn't watch them die in front of me, but. . .

[he trails off]