The corner of Zenkichi's mouth twitches up into something resembling a smile. It is a heavy topic. Heavy topic doesn’t even begin to cover it. Identity rewrite—cognitive rewrite—should never be taken lightly, no matter the intent behind it..

Maybe it was a bit worrying that Maruki was being left to his own devices back in their world.

And their world was a literal hell.

He keeps that information tucked away. He can't believe the words she's saying. It's too forgiving. Too benevolent.

And to think he’d gone to Maruki’s little party, shook his hand, made small talk over drinks. Who knows what was going on in that man’s head back then? Maybe, if this place wrangles him enough times, things will be different. Maybe.

He exhales, shifting through the clothes again, letting the silence settle for a moment.

"It’s funny how different universes work like that," he says at last, his voice softer now, a little less sharp around the edges. "You’re giving him too much credit, I think... but hey, that’s your call to make, not mine."

A beat. He glances at her, expression unreadable.

"Just...don’t let your kindness blind you. Wanting to believe in people, to give them a chance—that’s a good thing. But it doesn’t mean you owe them forgiveness."