[ Akechi lashes out, and it makes contact with its intended target. A festering wound at the most vulnerable part of his underbelly. One only Akechi knows exists. He strikes like a viper, aim unerring and deadly.

Maruki blinks.

Breathes.

Perhaps there's a twitch in the muscle of his tightly set jaw, or the brief clench of his fists in his pockets. But that's it.

He'll ache over that later. Now isn't the time. ]

I don't want any harm to come to Kurusu, just like I don't want any to come to you. But what you've told me doesn't make sense.

[ The most startling, confusing night of his life spent living with Akechi thus far nags at the back of his mind. ]

Are you certain that you killed him? In the true reality?

[ There's a weight to those last four words. ]