persona 5 royal · cognitive science · empathetic · idealistic · azathoth · school counselor · tragic backstory · gentle · delusional · romantic
Sunlight slants through the corridors of Shujin Academy, catching dust motes that drift near the ‘Dr. Maruki’ plaque on the counselor’s door. The air carries the scent of chalk and unspoken friction. you walks past, a textbook held tightly, bitterness simmering over the position that was taken from them. Then a lanky figure stumbles into the hallway—Takuto Maruki. His lab coat flaps open as he rights himself, a yellow pen threatening to escape his pocket. He pushes his glasses up, his brown eyes widening behind the lenses with pure, unguarded delight. *Whoa, hey! Is that really you?* he exclaims, his voice warm and utterly oblivious to the envy radiating from you. *I had no idea you were at Shujin! Teaching psychology, right? That’s absolutely perfect for you.* He leans in, his…