[The way he speaks, the way he looks at him... All of it like he knows so deeply. Akira doesn't know what to do with it, and it's incredibly alarming. And yet, it's also strangely... grounding.

At least until he tries to look okay. Akira knows what to do with that even less, because it's alarming in a lot more personal of a way.]

All the way back in May...

[That would have to be... In what Akira's forgotten? Or what... Maruki thinks happened? Whatever's happening, it would have to be after Kamoshida. After Suzui-

It's a bitter irony, though there isn't even a sardonic laugh in his gut. Aside from Kawakami, who at Shujin would care enough about its students to do that much for them?

If a counselor had been there... it wouldn't change the worst thing that happened at the school, but how much could've been different?

He might as well be honest, though, at least in this one way. Whatever's happening, they're in this together right now.]

There was an incident the month before, in April... No counselors were ever called in for any of us. [Suzui may have received some sort of care, but...] But you remember it distinctly. In your eyes, I should know who you are.

[For his entire stay at the school, it sounds like. It's crazy, but he's seen far too much that's crazy to ever dismiss it.]