[Bold of Akechi to assume that that, since Ryuji's already starting to let his mind wander, elevator music stuck in the background as his jaw starts to slack and he stares at Akechi's mouth making all these... so many... a lot of??? words all at once. But he's pulled back prematurely in between the space of "philosophical disagreement" and "this is one you'll understand." Goddamnit, now he actually has to try and pay attention to all this nerd talk.

He gets the part where change can't come from just external sources, though, because of obvious reasons about how he had changed over time- from Akira's friendship, to being a part of the Phantom Thieves, to Dave. He nods, slowly, but- fuck, his brain hurts.]

So... you're sayin' you need a push and you need to want to be pushed in order for it to work. Got it.

[RYUJI...

Well, there could've been worse things to grab out of that entire situation right there.]

There's a ball comin' up, you know. You could always ask him for a dance. [That's... that's too forward!]

Get the hell out of your comfort zone, y'know? Lobsters don't shed their shells unless they're ready to grow.