[Yusuke's sensible streak goes entirely out the window where anything even tangentially related to his art is concerned, but he still can't help but feel irritated that Akechi has a point. He frowns, running a hand through his hair, visibly stressed.]

Please don't worry him any further. This is my fault, so I can't expect him to come running, when I was trying to avoid that very thing from happening in the first place...

[He pauses, and it's taking a lot of swallowing his pride and quashing his distrust. But--]

...Could I-- ask for your help, instead? [Akechi would be well within his rights to refuse, and Yusuke almost expects it, considering how cold he's been towards him thus far, but... Perhaps he'll agree.]