Maruki rested his chin on his folded hands, watching as Morning devoured his muffin with an enthusiasm that could only be described as contagious. A small smile tugged at his lips as he leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze softening. For all the strangeness of the situation, there was something undeniably grounding about this boy’s presence—a peculiar familiarity that tugged at his chest.

“So,” Maruki began, his tone light but with an undertone of curiosity, “Morning-kun, let’s say—hypothetically—that I am your father in another universe. I imagine you’d know certain things about me. Or, well... him.”