And yet here she was, telling Maruki to leave everything the way he found it. A pain she refused to acknowledge didn't need to be removed, right? Hah.

She smiled at the touch to the arm. That point of trying to connect, that moment of humanity - it should stir something in her, right? But she just looks at it, then into his face, curious about the warring emotions fighting to express themselves on his face.

I know you won't, is her immediate thought.

You better not, follows soon after.

"Good boy," is what leaves her mouth.