[ There's so much desperation into Maruki's gaze. He wants to believe Eren. More than anything, he wants to believe that there's any possibility of the Akira that he knows still being somewhere in the boy who's found himself here. Actualization can be broken, after all – in another life, another reality, Yoshizawa unchained herself and railed against him with all she had. It's possible...

But that's supposing that it is Maruki's fault. And that's his fear, yes, but there's another one competing with it. In many ways, it terrifies him more. ]

I know. [ Whispered, then stronger. ] No, I know... But it could also be that we really are from different realities. [ His stomach lurches; he's pale, clammy. ] So, if that's the case...

[ Maruki falls quiet, the words refusing to come forth, and then he laughs. Wet and choking and without a single hint of mirth. One hand slips up beneath his glasses, heel of his palm digging into his eye as another bark of a laugh escapes. ]

I don't understand. How could we have never met?

[ It feels impossible. It should be impossible. His guiding light. ]