[ Never. He's never shied away from the truth. Maruki knew he would want to hear it; the out was a courtesy given just in case. He cares too much about Akechi to misstep, even if there's only a tiny chance it could occur. ]

Right before Azathoth manifested, the sky turned as red as blood. There were... bones coming up from the ground. It happened suddenly, and the professor I was meeting with didn't see it. Only I did.

[ His last memories of Tokyo. Despite all he's seen in Somnius, it still shakes him to remember that sight. ]

Naturally, I thought it was just part of the madness I was going through, but as I learned more about the cognitive world and these awakenings from you, I had to wonder if it wasn't localized only to me after all. Sure enough... As soon as I mentioned Christmas Eve to him, he asked if I saw anything strange that day.

[ It's already been a gray, blustery day; the sky going a little darker overhead doesn't pull his attention away from Akechi. ]

He told me it was because of a great battle the Phantom Thieves were fighting. One that they ultimately won. And that those who could see it were those who shared a bond with him.

[ His thumb presses hard into that area between opposite thumb and forefinger. Painful, grounding. If I won in a world without you in it, I'll never lose in one that has you. ]

So, that lines up between our memories as well, but– it's only brought up more questions. What could cause something like that to occur in the true reality? Not a palace breaking apart, right?

[ Something bigger. Surely. ]