That's funny. People think the same thing about counseling. When done well, it's a dialogue of give and take between two people, not a barrage of questions and solutions provided by one.

[ He's just playing with his food at this point. It's deeply indulgent.

Not the spaghetti, of course. Maruki takes a couple final bites, still about a quarter left, before gently pushing the plate aside and leaning an elbow on the bar to turn toward Akechi, eyes on that paper, then on him. ]

I'm about to tell you regardless.

[ If Akechi's searching for a lie, he won't find it there. That promise is entirely truthful. ]

However, show me what's on the paper first. Even if you're bullshitting me with an empty offer and it says nothing important, I'll still tell you.

[ But Mamaruki will be D I S A P P O I N T E D ]