[ That hits at a strange angle. One he hadn't expected at all.

Summer break. He made it past Christmas Eve, finished out the year at Shujin, went home, and returned. It's only another half a year or so, but he's still so much farther ahead than–

Maruki's brain stutters to a stop. So much farther ahead than either of them. Akechi. He has to play this as carefully as he can, knowing full well it will still end gracelessly. They hadn't been able to hold even one conversation about him.

All in due time. He focuses on Akira, curious. ]

I knew about your probation. I never saw you move back home, though... That hasn't happened yet, for me.

[ A sick twist in his gut. People from different points in a timeline are a dime a dozen. People from different timelines entirely aren't uncommon either – he'd just spoken to Kazuya and Naoya about their disparate memories of one another. If that's what's happening here–

If a version of their reality exists where he and Akira simply never met–

How?

How could Maruki ever make it through that chaotic, life-changing year without him?

Maybe the year wasn't like that for Akira. Maybe, somewhere out there, Kurusu Akira led a peaceful temporary life in Tokyo. ]

I... I think that we should clear the air on something up front, Kurusu-kun. Otherwise we may talk in circles.

[ A beat, heavy and serious. ]

From what you remember, you're still the leader of the Phantom Thieves, aren't you?

[ Say no. If Akira has to forget him, let it be because he lived in a kinder world. ]