A shiver runs down Maruki's spine as he catches those teeth which could probably tear off his arm at any given moment. His mind is drawing a blank and his shoulders are already hunched while he tries to play off cool but all he really does is gulp audibly when Akechi mentions that he will go through that too.

A familiar burning sensation tapers off in the back of his neck and he quickly brings his hand to attend to it, unaware of the burning sigil eye fading in and out. "Oh goodness this is..." he quivers a little again. "That's not good at all."

The bud is not being nipped alas, if anything what Akechi says makes Maruki's gaze narrow in confusion a little as he pinches the bridge of his nose and catches his bearings before finally straightening up to regard his question.
Dictate the state of the world...

He looks away for a moment and then focuses at one of the corners of the table. There-! A brown leather laptop bag is found unceremoniously lying on the flat surface. His eyes widen as he quickly grabs it and opens the flap.

"Phew." His research paper is still intact in there. That, some snacks, his smartphone and...he pats his backpocket. Yep. His pocket journal.

"Well I am no fan of wanting to stay behind in a hostile depressive environment," he remarks- turning around as he throws the bag's strap over his head. "I am guessing you mean you don't believe in this Nirvana then, hm? I understand that as well- its admirable that you want to face your challenges head-on."

"How are you holding up? I could only imagine how you must be feeling to even get a glimpse at what I will go through."