Honestly if those words were coming from anyone else he would have mostly stayed quiet and only considered those words under his own lens but...what she said did make sense. Damn it, Shibusawa always teased about him being too reckless for his own good but...he would like to think that this was more of a calculated decision.

Some words irked him the wrong way.

Words like they are trying to balance and maintain everyone's safety as best as possible because he could frankly bet on his own thesis that Drake was far from fair on those regards. He didn't care about his safety. He defended himself alone on that battle- that was proof enough. Even if Hamuko meant well, she didn't know the sheer bitterness this place held for him.

He would probably apologize to any and all members of the team but not before Drake.

He's stressed but somehow Maruki can't bring himself to care about it.

"...I was injured enough that I didn't even feel my own body at one point. Azathoth's regeneration is difficult to cope with and we weren't lucky that my persona obeyed my orders. I know enough on how to control it during battles."

"I don't say this to garner any sympathy- others have done a far better job at fighting against Fatalis. I am not a fighter but...over those wounds and seeing people struggle with the last bits of their stamina-"

"-it just felt wrong for me to leave when I could spare some of my own powers."