[ It would be an understatement to say his heart sinks. There's no word for what it does. Only a cavernous pit left where it used to be.

Jaw tensed, distrustful. Of course he is. He has every right to be.

He doesn't know Maruki. ]

You did.

[ A last gasp of hope– ]

We spoke about it on my last day at the school. We did.

[ –that ends in defeat.

Maruki blinks. Akira is still there. Not a vision come to torment him, comeuppance for half a year of fighting tooth and nail against this reality. As real as can be, and not the one Maruki knows. Not at all. ]

I can't imagine how strange this is for you right now. [ Even as his voice breaks on the next words out of his mouth, Maruki is clearing his own heartbreak away. Putting it up on the shelf, shoving it to the very back corner. Refocusing only on Akira.

He can't keep doing more harm. He has to help. ] I'm sorry...