[that's a familiar feeling, too. failure. guilt. helplessness. the same things that had plagued Akira since his arrival to this shadow of the Shibuya he knows. and when she brings them up in relation to Utena, Anthy, and Maya. . . he can't help the new wave that suddenly closes in around him, closing up his throat and causing him to swallow thickly to keep his composure]

[he keeps his gaze on her, but doesn't force it, if she looks away]

I thought that, too.

[he admits, voice a bit raw]

There are so-- so many things I could do to fix this, if I had every tool that was available to me when I was alive.

[but they aren't. and all they can do is think in terms of "what ifs"]