Maruki’s unease grew as Akira’s grip on his lab coat lingered longer than necessary. He stared down at the boy’s hands, feeling the warmth of the touch and the sheer weight of trust that came with it. It was almost suffocating. This boy’s unwavering belief—so blindingly pure—was both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling.
Whoever, or whatever, had brought this child into existence had done something extraordinary. It was both terrifying and humbling, and Maruki felt an odd ache in his chest that he didn’t know how to process. Parental instinct? Guilt? Curiosity?
He let out a slow breath, forcing himself to soften his gaze. “I… I’m not sure how to process this, Akira. It's not about trust its...” His voice was quiet, almost too quiet. But he managed to muster a small smile at the boy’s unrelenting excitement.
“Funny thing, though,” he began, trying to lighten the mood. “This might sound like a cliché, but... let’s start with the basics. You know, science stuff. Who doesn’t love a good experiment?”
1/2
Whoever, or whatever, had brought this child into existence had done something extraordinary. It was both terrifying and humbling, and Maruki felt an odd ache in his chest that he didn’t know how to process. Parental instinct? Guilt? Curiosity?
He let out a slow breath, forcing himself to soften his gaze. “I… I’m not sure how to process this, Akira. It's not about trust its...” His voice was quiet, almost too quiet. But he managed to muster a small smile at the boy’s unrelenting excitement.
“Funny thing, though,” he began, trying to lighten the mood. “This might sound like a cliché, but... let’s start with the basics. You know, science stuff. Who doesn’t love a good experiment?”