[He's so caught off guard, it's written all over his face. He's not surprised that Natsuo opened his big mouth, exactly, but Akechi's direct and serious approach... That does get him.]

Ah, well, you see—

[He raises a hand to scratch lightly at the side of his cheek.]

I was actually asked by two different people to protect each other. Why is it that you'd like to know, precisely...? You don't intend to confront them, do you?