[ It's okay, Elliot... Akira is more of the strawberry, banana, and nutella kind of guy, so he's after that rather than maple syrup. When they're ready, he turns off the stove and sets out for the table. ]

Nah. My parents are busy people, so I wouldn't want to bother them. [ They really are. ] I'm sure they wouldn't be that interested, anyway.

[ So the usual. It doesn't seem like he's bothered since he's digging in. He isn't smiling and he isn't crying this time, but he's visibly brighter. ]

It's delicious.