[ Every word Akira speaks confirming what he feared to be true sinks jagged claws into his soul. They lodge in deep and stay there, lethal but motionless. Like the man in the alley, the knife passing through fascia and muscle, holding him together in the most painful way possible.
And then–
It's the hope that rips them free, tearing everything apart anew on their way out. There's no telling what will be waiting for us, as if there's still a possibility Akechi could turn up unannounced. Maybe, maybe not. No telling until it happens, or it doesn't. And it's true, Maruki knows it is.
It wasn't ever certain death that he dangled above their heads. It was simply the unknown. None of them knew Akechi's fate, not even the boy himself.
They knew the risks, the cost. They made their choice. And some stubborn seed of hope still lives in that unknown that Akira will return to.
All at once, Maruki remembers in pure crystal clarity why he first grew to genuinely adore Akira. That tenacity. That assurance that even when everything else before him in hazy and undefined, he'll still move forward to seek out the truth. Who knows what will be waiting for him? No one, no one at all, not even Maruki, and that's the joy of it.
He swallows hard, mouth dry. Lifts his eyes from the counter to watch Akira pouring the coffee. One palm presses against the center of his sternum, firm and grounding, only briefly before it drops away. ]
You never cease to amaze me...
[ A beat. ]
I wanted you to want something for yourself. That's all.
[ And then he shakes his head, smiles, soft and sad. ]
i could never leave u..... unlike akechi goro on february 3 2017
And then–
It's the hope that rips them free, tearing everything apart anew on their way out. There's no telling what will be waiting for us, as if there's still a possibility Akechi could turn up unannounced. Maybe, maybe not. No telling until it happens, or it doesn't. And it's true, Maruki knows it is.
It wasn't ever certain death that he dangled above their heads. It was simply the unknown. None of them knew Akechi's fate, not even the boy himself.
They knew the risks, the cost. They made their choice. And some stubborn seed of hope still lives in that unknown that Akira will return to.
All at once, Maruki remembers in pure crystal clarity why he first grew to genuinely adore Akira. That tenacity. That assurance that even when everything else before him in hazy and undefined, he'll still move forward to seek out the truth. Who knows what will be waiting for him? No one, no one at all, not even Maruki, and that's the joy of it.
He swallows hard, mouth dry. Lifts his eyes from the counter to watch Akira pouring the coffee. One palm presses against the center of his sternum, firm and grounding, only briefly before it drops away. ]
You never cease to amaze me...
[ A beat. ]
I wanted you to want something for yourself. That's all.
[ And then he shakes his head, smiles, soft and sad. ]
Sorry. I'll drop it. I promise.
[ And now he really will. ]