Ha. I'm not good at bowling but I understand it which, I can admit, does give me an edge.

[At Mark's remark Akechi offers what is truly a genuine smile. A little pleased, a little embarrassed. People, at this point, know what he's like so... Any sort of praise is a bit of surprise. Who would like him when he's not pretending to be someone else?]

I'd be quite pleased to have someone be able to keep up with me. And you really do meet my expectations over and over again. We would have been exceptional rivals.

[Rival is the closest he can get to saying friend right now.]