...I never understood the love of childish things like superheroes because I was never introduced to such stories myself. I envied them... I criticized how unrealistic they were.

[He explains that again, gripping back at Akechi's hand, desperate for him not to just stay turned away like that.]

But it's all I've ever wanted to be. A main character in a story... a hero. Someone who could make things better for everyone else and become admired for it. Someone who achieved their goals, no matter what... That sort of thing.

[He already feels dumb about it.]