Maruki... It's true, Maruki is definitely a worse influence, going around and changing people's cognition without their consent. Changing Dove's very core, his very memories.

"...Maruki..."

He feels his head dully throbbing as he thinks about the man in question, as he feels the rage bubble up in his chest, as he feels part of him fearing stepping this far into hatred...

But he also feels that other part of him he's tried shutting down the entire time he's been here... The side that's just relieved to do something, to break something, to scream and sow some kind of chaos... Even if it's as small as breaking a glass.

He stops, looking at his own hand...

"...I was so afraid of feeling this way, and now I'm not entirely sure why. It's ridiculous, in hindsight."

He looks back at Akira again, that smile bordering on smirk appearing again.

"I feel... alive. Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Perhaps I can control this now, instead of being ruled by my fear. Thank you, Akira."