This whole conversation is in regards to another Maruki from a different world so- why does he feel a pang of annoyance? Usually he's quick to dismiss any other Maruki from his own self but something about how this Akira's Maruki having a decent relationship with his parents was almost...odd. The last time the doctor checked, his parents never even noticed him beyond his own parents or just how unsupportive they were when he said he wanted to divert from studying something like pure science and mathematics to psychology.

They weren't exactly supportive when he scored rather well in his college entrance exams that he got seats to far 'stable' (as his parents liked to call it) subjects.

So to hear that this Maruki, whoever Morning might be referring to, whether went through the same thing or not, still considered keeping the familial bond after...having a child. Well, Maruki has studied that- how some get even closer with family after having children but-

Everything felt off.

Because right now, as Maruki stood there- he could catch something faint behind this Akira. A tendril of sorts, blooming right behind him- drawn from the position of his own heart. His eyes widened for a moment as he considered the words Assistant earlier and then this glove- well he can't exactly tell if it belongs to him, his Akechi or his Maruki or his own cat- but the hints of Actualization were very much present.

"...Call me Doc if that's easier for you," he sighs instead. "You can't exactly blame me for thinking all of this is a fever dream."

Or if your Maruki was somehow, more attached to you than I thought. And not in a biological sense.

"So um...what about your mother? Is your Mar-," he coughs. "-dad, well- did he marry someone after all?" His voice holds a faint quiver- as if he can't even believe the possibility of it. A world where he and Rumi...

His heart sped up in his chest as he finds himself being at his last straw- thinking his knees could give out at any moment.