[He stares at Akira with some wary sort of confusion, like he's waiting for the punchline...

The punchline that's clearly never coming.]

Is that your idea of a joke, these days, Kurusu? Or is it that you believe trying to drag my name through the mud will somehow help?

[Frankly, he's very genuinely hurt. Something that only shows in his eyes before he closes them long enough to let out a tense breath.]

Whatever it is, I suggest you stop now. [Quietly:] Before you dig your new hole even deeper, and find yourself without a single hand to pull you back up.