Maruki barely blinked at Hamuko’s explanation—if anything, he just hummed in understanding. Sure, fusing Personas into weapons was new, but after all the things he’d seen, he wasn’t about to be surprised by yet another supernatural loophole.
"Treasure chests, huh…" He tapped his pen idly against the clipboard, thinking back to Mementos. "I suppose that’s not too different from what I’ve found in the depths of Tokyo. Weapons, supplies… even some rather nice accessories." He says, adjusting his heart shaped pink glasses in tandem. It was an interesting item from a shadow if he will be honest.
His voice was lighthearted, but he did make a mental note—if Hamuko was willing, he could show her Mementos sometime. Might be interesting to compare their experiences.
He kept walking ahead, taking a quick glance at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring around, almost like she was still getting used to the town’s layout.
“Junes should be just around the corner,” he commented quietly. “It’s a little tucked away, but we should be able to spot it soon.”
At her next question, though, he slowed his pace. He mulled over his answer, carefully weighing just how much he wanted to reveal.
"Let's just say I have had my fair share in understanding cognition from experiencing supernatural phenomenon at quite the young age," he starts. "While I specialize in psychology, I’ve particularly dabbled into cognitive behavioral therapy before—back when I was a school counselor. It’s something I’ve always been interested in, especially in how people process their struggles.”
His fingers tapped idly against the clipboard, his gaze drifting ahead as he continued.
“But with everything I’ve encountered over the years... my research has shifted toward something broader. Metaphysical cognition—how the mind shapes and perceives reality, and how deeply it integrates with memory, emotion, and perception. Shadows, distortions, cognitive spaces… all of it seems to stem from the unconscious mind. The fact that we are connected to the main hub across multiple universes, regardless of our current species, timelines, habits, experiences being built on the thread of cognition is just about enough proof that our reality exists because of it- which tends to shift more towards an occult-like science rather than the ones governed by human law."
"While I have only made theories before- I have only begun to see and experience it practically. It's a powerful field, I suppose, in a way you can't even lift a finger without it." He hesitated for a beat, then continued, “I also look into how it connects to emotional trauma. And, more importantly, how people should be allowed to move forward.”
He offered a small, subdued smile. “From their pain. From their suffering. From everything they’ve lost.”
no subject
"Treasure chests, huh…" He tapped his pen idly against the clipboard, thinking back to Mementos. "I suppose that’s not too different from what I’ve found in the depths of Tokyo. Weapons, supplies… even some rather nice accessories." He says, adjusting his heart shaped pink glasses in tandem. It was an interesting item from a shadow if he will be honest.
His voice was lighthearted, but he did make a mental note—if Hamuko was willing, he could show her Mementos sometime. Might be interesting to compare their experiences.
He kept walking ahead, taking a quick glance at her from the corner of his eye. She was staring around, almost like she was still getting used to the town’s layout.
“Junes should be just around the corner,” he commented quietly. “It’s a little tucked away, but we should be able to spot it soon.”
At her next question, though, he slowed his pace. He mulled over his answer, carefully weighing just how much he wanted to reveal.
"Let's just say I have had my fair share in understanding cognition from experiencing supernatural phenomenon at quite the young age," he starts. "While I specialize in psychology, I’ve particularly dabbled into cognitive behavioral therapy before—back when I was a school counselor. It’s something I’ve always been interested in, especially in how people process their struggles.”
His fingers tapped idly against the clipboard, his gaze drifting ahead as he continued.
“But with everything I’ve encountered over the years... my research has shifted toward something broader. Metaphysical cognition—how the mind shapes and perceives reality, and how deeply it integrates with memory, emotion, and perception. Shadows, distortions, cognitive spaces… all of it seems to stem from the unconscious mind. The fact that we are connected to the main hub across multiple universes, regardless of our current species, timelines, habits, experiences being built on the thread of cognition is just about enough proof that our reality exists because of it- which tends to shift more towards an occult-like science rather than the ones governed by human law."
"While I have only made theories before- I have only begun to see and experience it practically. It's a powerful field, I suppose, in a way you can't even lift a finger without it." He hesitated for a beat, then continued, “I also look into how it connects to emotional trauma. And, more importantly, how people should be allowed to move forward.”
He offered a small, subdued smile. “From their pain. From their suffering. From everything they’ve lost.”