[ He will indeed grab it and look. Not quickly, he isn't in a mad scramble here. He's enjoying this and will let Akechi give his ultimatum before he takes it, reads it, and–

Hm.

Whatever that is, it's not nothing.

Maruki smiles, folds it back up and slides it into one of his pockets. ]

Thank you. I'm sure we'll discuss that later.

[ Akechi's instincts are more than valid. They would be Maruki's instincts too if he wasn't in the situation he's in. He would be exploiting the myriad connections he's formed here to obtain the information quickly, share it with Akechi readily, so that they may both be better informed.

Fortunately for Akechi, he already has an eye on the culprit, so it shouldn't be too much more work heaped onto his plate.

Maruki looks at him, all of that playful cat and mouse teasing dropped away in favor of purely earnest honesty, and there is not a single drop of ego in the factual statement: ]

You were right, actually. It was me.

[ A beat, and then one corner of his lips does quirk upward, fond. ]

And Venat. The two of us.

[ God help him. ]

Aside from her– and, I assume, Night Sky– you're the only one who will know about my involvement. I don't have a single doubt that you'll keep that secret.