[ Unfair? There's very little about his life that has ever been any different, and yet to be receiving such kindness from one of the Phantom Thieves despite how willing he'd been to throw them under the bus for his own gain... well. He supposes it must be something like an understanding, if not quite forgiveness. A mutual respect between fellow outcasts, no matter how different their approaches may be.

Which takes them to the matter of Joker, and Akechi needs a moment to gather his thoughts; his feelings are an entirely different can of worms to figure out. ]

The only time Joker has ever needed my help was back when the lot of you were under Maruki's influence. [ And he says that between gritted teeth, his pride all too wounded to acknowledge how much better Joker was at handling his circumstances. ] At the time, our goals were aligned, which I doubt would be the case if he were to be summoned to this place. I would rather not ask him to make a decision for my sake again.

[ That's a roundabout way to reply, but his answer isn't quite finished just yet. He fully intends on crushing Meridian and anyone who stands in his way when the time comes, but-- ]

But, if he doesn't find his way to Kenos in one manner or another, I hear Yima offers an alternative. Provided that's true, then he won't have to be lost to the old world.