that one scene.
There's a scene later in the game -- around mid-October-ish -- that really defines Akihiko for me and is what I keep in mind a lot when it comes to him. Transcript ahoy!
October 5th, Shinjiro's Funeral/Memorial
[The school is empty. Akihiko walks up to the memorial on the stage, then climbs up on it, smiling.]
AKIHIKO: Yo.
I had the usual for lunch ...
Ramen tastes a lot better when you're cutting class.
... Make sure you invite me next time.
[He turns around, looking down, voice wavering a bit.]
AKIHIKO: Say something, will ya ...?
Why are you always like that?
You're so stubborn.
Put yourself in my shoes for a change ...
[He turns back, leaning his hands against the table.]
AKIHIKO: ... You think it's the other way around, huh?
I guess you're right.
[His eyebrows crease.]
AKIHIKO: I was too obsessed with power ...
Ever since I lost Miki, that's all I've cared about ...
I thought that if I was strong enough, I could protect anyone ...
But, I was wrong ... And now, you're gone too ... I'm such an idiot.
[Akihiko lowers his head, beating at the table with his fist a couple times.]
AKIHIKO: In battle, there's always a chance of dying ... I knew that!
But ... I was so focused on fighting that I didn't notice anything else!
It didn't matter how tough I was! Look what happened!
[His voice breaks at that, and he lowers himself to the ground, letting out a cry. When he finally speaks again, it's pretty obvious that he's crying.]
AKIHIKO: ... Yeah, I know ...
Crying won't change anything, will it ...?
[He pulls himself together and stands up.]
AKIHIKO: Alright, Shinji ...
You watch from there with Miki.
I still have things to do, right?
> The resolution in Akihiko's heart has awakened a new Persona ...
> Polydeuces has given rise to Caesar!
AKIHIKO: I know that much.
I can't carry this guilt forever ...
... I'm getting tired of it.
October 5th, Shinjiro's Funeral/Memorial
[The school is empty. Akihiko walks up to the memorial on the stage, then climbs up on it, smiling.]
AKIHIKO: Yo.
I had the usual for lunch ...
Ramen tastes a lot better when you're cutting class.
... Make sure you invite me next time.
[He turns around, looking down, voice wavering a bit.]
AKIHIKO: Say something, will ya ...?
Why are you always like that?
You're so stubborn.
Put yourself in my shoes for a change ...
[He turns back, leaning his hands against the table.]
AKIHIKO: ... You think it's the other way around, huh?
I guess you're right.
[His eyebrows crease.]
AKIHIKO: I was too obsessed with power ...
Ever since I lost Miki, that's all I've cared about ...
I thought that if I was strong enough, I could protect anyone ...
But, I was wrong ... And now, you're gone too ... I'm such an idiot.
[Akihiko lowers his head, beating at the table with his fist a couple times.]
AKIHIKO: In battle, there's always a chance of dying ... I knew that!
But ... I was so focused on fighting that I didn't notice anything else!
It didn't matter how tough I was! Look what happened!
[His voice breaks at that, and he lowers himself to the ground, letting out a cry. When he finally speaks again, it's pretty obvious that he's crying.]
AKIHIKO: ... Yeah, I know ...
Crying won't change anything, will it ...?
[He pulls himself together and stands up.]
AKIHIKO: Alright, Shinji ...
You watch from there with Miki.
I still have things to do, right?
> The resolution in Akihiko's heart has awakened a new Persona ...
> Polydeuces has given rise to Caesar!
AKIHIKO: I know that much.
I can't carry this guilt forever ...
... I'm getting tired of it.