... It's not bad to realize you work best with people you [hm] feel close to. That just means you're human. [It was almost "care about." He doesn't want to be presumption, though, even if Akane was definitely included in that sentence. It's fine.

He'll give Junpei's shoulder one last pat when he reaches into his pocket, pulling away to lay his hands on his lap. The engagement ring gets... a look-over. There's a funny expression on Carlos' face, right before he looks away. Those seahorses sure are a good distraction, huh...]

Have you asked around?

[Hm.]