Maruki paused, considering Ren’s earlier words with care. He didn’t underestimate Ken’s strength—not after the warnings and stories he'd absorbed—but thinking about the boy beyond his combat prowess left him unsettled. A kid. Ken was just a kid. Brilliant, sharp-tongued, and unnervingly dangerous, but a child nonetheless. The idea of weaponizing that, of deliberately tearing into his mind or memories to strike a blow...
It felt wrong, even to someone as resigned as Maruki. But maybe that’s why it had to be him.
"If you’re asking if I can defend myself, the answer is yes." His voice carried that same measured calm, the faintest edge of resignation softening its cadence. "My persona—what’s left of it—is more than just a symbol. It’s my foundation, my foothold in this fight. As long as I have that, I’ll manage. But if you’re looking for finesse or strategy, I’d suggest a bit of guidance. Maybe your combat team has something useful in that regard?"
He glanced down, his fingers brushing the edge of his coat pocket as if debating something. "As for Amada-kun..." His voice dipped, quieter now, tinged with a melancholy that betrayed his facade. "It’s cruel, isn’t it? To exploit what makes him vulnerable. A necessity, perhaps, but still cruel."
Maruki straightened, the faint flicker of his smirk returning, though this time it was heavier with irony. "I suppose that makes me the perfect candidate for the job. In everyone's eyes."
2/2
It felt wrong, even to someone as resigned as Maruki. But maybe that’s why it had to be him.
"If you’re asking if I can defend myself, the answer is yes." His voice carried that same measured calm, the faintest edge of resignation softening its cadence. "My persona—what’s left of it—is more than just a symbol. It’s my foundation, my foothold in this fight. As long as I have that, I’ll manage. But if you’re looking for finesse or strategy, I’d suggest a bit of guidance. Maybe your combat team has something useful in that regard?"
He glanced down, his fingers brushing the edge of his coat pocket as if debating something. "As for Amada-kun..." His voice dipped, quieter now, tinged with a melancholy that betrayed his facade. "It’s cruel, isn’t it? To exploit what makes him vulnerable. A necessity, perhaps, but still cruel."
Maruki straightened, the faint flicker of his smirk returning, though this time it was heavier with irony. "I suppose that makes me the perfect candidate for the job. In everyone's eyes."