"It could have been... self destructive behavior happens a lot even when you aren't a soldier putting your life on the line," Hamuko gently answered, her heart aching sympathetically for Akane.

She had to watch him self destruct, and it was probably not new to him. She never heard about a mom in the picture, so... the blanks can be pretty easily filled in. And with how Zenkichi refuses to acknowledge his humanity...

"...I'm just guessing, but he might blame himself for what's happened to you two so far. And since he can't 'fix' it, maybe he's punishing himself over it. It's not rational behavior... it's depression. I know what it feels like and looks like," she explained after a beat. "First and foremost, Akane, it's not your fault - whether you know that already or not, I think it needs to be said out loud."