@Novice505 I think its more thank him just being witty or weak though.
I think its more of a:
He's been delegated to a planner/strategist role and while he is certainly weaker than his close friends, he's still somewhat capable.
@shyevsa I think shes still coming to realize that if she wants Akira to reciprocate her feelings, and to get him to consider her as an equal, that she will need to get much stronger.