39 The Counselor.

(Ya'll, sorry for the inconsistent upload schedule. My goal is still about one chap per day, but I have been pretty tired from work lately so I usually end up falling asleep before writing the chapter. Anyways, here ya go.)

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The midterm exams, a source of anxiety for some, turned out to be less daunting than anticipated, thanks in part to the group's diligent study sessions. Ren, however, liked to joke that their success was all due to their first study session, during which they had all fallen asleep.

With each passing day, another round of exams was completed. Yet, the routine was disrupted the day before the last set of exams when the entire school was summoned to the gymnasium for an announcement. Since Ren hadn't heard anything from the command he had left with Kobayakawa, he assumed it was nothing of importance.

"Ever since the news of the specific incident occurred, many of your parents and students alike have voiced many concerns that I simply could not bear to ignore," the principal began, feigning a deep level of concern.

"We know that the actions of the former teacher caused mental strain on a lot of the students, and we deeply condemn his behavior. We believe that the mental health of our student body is absolutely vital, so we've acquired the services of a therapist. The floor is yours, Doctor…" he concluded, stepping aside for the new arrival.

As the principal made way, a tall man with brown hair, glasses, and a doctor's coat stepped forward. Ren's eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively turned to Makoto, who returned his gaze in surprise. They both recognized him as the lecturer whose work they had painstakingly analyzed.

"It's nice to meet you all. My name is Takuto Maruki. Thank you for welcoming me to your school," the man said warmly, attempting a bow but accidentally hitting his head against the microphone.

Slightly embarrased, he continued. 

"No need to be formal with me, though. I'm just here to counsel anyone who's interested. You can even call me Doc, if that would help you feel more comfortable…"

Ren narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It seemed too coincidental that the man they had been eager to meet would suddenly become a counselor at their school. Yet, even as he used his third eye ability to analyze the doctor, nothing seemed amiss.

After Maruki's introduction, the principal briefly reclaimed the stage before dismissing the assembly. Seizing the opportunity, Ren signaled for the group to follow him to a secluded spot for a private discussion.

Ryuji, still processing the event, asked.

"Wait, so that's the expert you had talked about?" He paused, reflecting on Maruki's onstage mishap. "Wasn't he just clowning it up on the stage? Do you think that was an act?"

Ren considered Ryuji's question, yet as he thought back to the previous lectures they had seen he shook his head.

 "No, I think that's just how he is." he said, with Makoto nodding in agreement.

As Ryuji gathered his thoughts for another question, Ren's attention was diverted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, he was met with the sight of Maruki making his way towards them.

"Sakomoto, Suzui, Takamaki, Nijima, and Amamiya, isn't it?" Maruki inquired, his smile warm and inviting.

"How'd you know our names?" Ryuji asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

Maruki's response came with a hint of awkwardness as he scratched the back of his head. 

"Well, I was informed of certain students before beginning my tenure here. Those that had… previous interactions with Mr. Kamoshida."

"Either way, it's nice to meet you, Mr. Maruki." Ren and Makoto both greeted him, offering a respectful bow.

Even though Ren was still slightly suspicious of him, that didn't diminish the respect he had for him. Both him and Makoto had spent so many hours researching their only source of information on the Metaverse that they had developed a sense of familiarity with the Doctor.

Caught off guard by their formal greeting, Maruki quickly shifted to a more relaxed stance. 

"Please, just call me Maruki or Doc. Though I appreciate the gesture, I feel it's better for you all to treat me as your friend. After all, it's easier to open up to friends, isn't it?" His smile remained, friendly and disarming.

Then, reintroducing his offer for counseling with a hint of nervousness, Maruki looked at them hopefully.

"And speaking of that, I know I already offered my services before, but would all of you be interested in counseling?"

The group exchanged looks, weighing his proposal. Before anyone could respond, Ryuji quickly dismissed the idea.

"Nope, not at all." His blunt refusal catching Maruki by surprise.

Attempting to sweeten the offer, Maruki pressed on. 

"Ah- are you sure? If you come to my office, you can have free snacks! All you can eat! Well, not quite, but there is still plenty to be had. So, how about it?"

Makoto, seizing the opportunity to learn more, inquired. 

"Is there any way you could meet with two people?" gesturing to herself and Ren..

"Oh- I mean…" Maruki hesitated, before clarifying, "My expertise is more in individual sessions, but I do have some experience with couples counseling."

Makoto's cheeks tinted with a blush at the misunderstanding, quickly trying to correct it. 

"No, that's not it. We are just interested in your work." Her words stumbled out, embarrassment evident, until Ren offered his support, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Yup, we've both been studying psychology," Ren interjected, aiming to clarify their intentions without revealing they knew about his past. "And, I have heard great things about you from Kasumi. So we wanted to get some information from an expert."

Maruki's nod of understanding bridged the gap between professional obligation and personal interest. 

"Ah, that's right, I remember Yoshizawa telling me about you…" He said before shaking his head and addressing the entire group once again."Sorry, there's something I have to say before I forget. To be frank, I have been explicitly ordered to provide counseling to the students directly involved with Mr. Kamoshida."

Ignoring the two cognitive psience students, the rest of the group gave mixed reactions. While Ann seemed somewhat intrigued by the prospect, Ryuji and Shiho's discomfort was palpable, their annoyance at the reminder of past traumas evident.

Sensing their reluctance, Maruki adopted a gentler tone.

"Listen, I know asking you to be open with a complete stranger like myself is a lot. And making this mandatory would only make it harder for you. But I really do want to help you. The aftermath of such events can weigh heavily on your mind..."

He paused, seemingly lost in thought, before a spark of inspiration struck him.

"I've got it! During my psychology studies, I picked up techniques to boost mental acuity, like focusing before exams or staying calm during dates. I'm willing to share these tips if you promise to attend. And don't forget, there will be snacks."

Shiho and Ryuji looked hesitant, though they looked to Ren for guidance to see what he would choose.

"I'm willing to go… But, would you be willing to teach us some about what you know about psychology?" Ren asked, earning a warm smile from Maruki.

"I'll teach you as much as I can… after the counseling sessions," Maruki promised, his response leading the group, influenced by Ren and Makoto's openness, to agree to his offer.

As Maruki left, the group remained to digest the introduction of their new counselor before returning to class. After the day had finished, Ren was the first one to go directly to the counselors office, only to find Kasumi already in conversation with him. Her cheerful greeting broke the silence of the corridor.

"Oh Ren! It's nice to see you!" She said with a smile as she noticed him approaching. "I'm sorry it's taken so long to call you, but I have been so busy preparing for the exams that I didn't have any free time, though I should have some time open in a few days."

"Don't worry about it. I've also been quite busy lately, so I wouldn't have had the time either," Ren reassured her, his tone understanding.

Maruki joined the conversation with a friendly demeanor, addressing Ren directly. 

"Amamiya, I'm glad you came. I wanted to apologize for not getting back to you on the appointment Yoshizawa requested, but since I am here now, it seems everything ended up working out." he said, his smile blending apology with optimism.

Realizing she might be intruding, Kasumi's spirits remained high as she said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll give you guys some space. It was nice seeing you Ren! And I hope we can practice soon!" She said, departing with a genuine smile.

As they entered the room, Maruki immediately sought to ease any lingering tension.

"Thank you for coming! You know, taking that first step through the door is often the hardest part of counseling," he said, his voice a comforting blend of warmth and encouragement. As they settled into their seats, Maruki's presence seemed to soften the edges of the room.

"Remember, as a counselor, you can speak to me freely. Anything you tell me is confidential, so unless you are planning on harming yourself or others, I am bound by law to keep your secrets," Maruki reassured Ren, encouraging him to speak openly.

Ren nodded, a mix of acknowledgment and curiosity in his gaze.

"So… how do I do this?" Ren's voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty. He was curious about Maruki's research on cognitive psience but felt it too direct a topic to broach initially.

"Well, let's begin simply. How are you feeling? Full disclosure, I have read the report about what happened to you, and I have also spoken to a few of the teachers who saw the incident. It must have been quite hard, especially since this is such a new environment." Maruki said, concern lacing his tone as he prepared to take notes.

Ren paused, considering his words.

"I mean, it's fine. I know a lot of people are worried about me because I got beat up, but it wasn't that bad. I was somewhat unconscious for the most part." he admitted, his tone nonchalant.

"Hmm…" Maruki hummed thoughtfully. "So you don't see anything wrong with what happened?""

"Not really," Ren replied almost instinctively, then, noticing Maruki's expectant silence, he elaborated. "I knew what was going to happen when I entered, that's why I had my phone recording everything."

"Is that so? Is there a reason you decided to do something like that so soon after transferring?" Maruki asked his voice filled with empathy.

"I mean… I had to." Ren said absentmidedly as he thought about his first encounter with Igor since he was trying to think of a way to redirect the conversation towards Maruki.

"Why is that?" Maruki probed gently.

Ren momentarily opened his mouth to respond, then paused, reconsidering his approach under Maruki's attentive gaze.

Sensing Ren's hesitation, Maruki smoothly redirected the conversation.

"You said you expected Kamoshida to attack you. Were you not worried about yourself at all?"

"Not really. It wouldn't have made for a good story if I had died like that," he remarked, his thoughts briefly touching on his encounters with Igor.

"A good story?" Maruki repeated Ren's words, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Do you think of your life as a story?"

Ren hesitated, the question catching him slightly off guard. 

"... I guess," he admitted, his uncertainty evident.

Maruki, intrigued, delved deeper. 

"What kind of story would you say it is?" he asked, pen poised over his notepad, ready to jot down more insights.

"I guess it would be a fool's journey. Have you heard of it?" Ren ventured, his question cutting through the formal atmosphere with an unexpected depth.

Maruki's response was a mix of surprise and delight, his chuckle warming the room.

 "Surprisingly, I have. Believe it or not, the fool's journey is one of the more diverse topics in psychology. There was a famous psychiatrist named Carl Jung, and amongst the archetypes he wrote, one of them was the fool."

The mention of Jung and the archetypes sparked a moment of nostalgia for Maruki, his expression turning reflective.

"I actually based a lot of my research on his studies. So you just brought back a lot of memories," he shared, revealing a personal connection to the topic.

Seeing this as his chance to change the direction of the conversation Ren asked.

"Oh, really? What did you use to study?"

Maruki looked at his watch for a moment before saying.

"The time we have is almost up. So how about we leave that until next time and continue this session focused on you? If you want we can spend the full session diving into it, since I know you are quite interested in it." Maruki suggested, his smile genuine and encouraging.

As Ren gave a thoughtful nod, Maruki took this as a cue to proceed.

Their conversation meandered through various topics, with Maruki occasionally glancing at his notes, until he checked his watch and softly interjected.

"I think this was a very productive first session," Maruki began, his tone encouraging. "Before we conclude, I'd like to share an observation."

He leaned forward, setting his notepad aside, and looked directly at Ren with a warm, sincere smile.

"You've shown remarkable resilience, Ren. It's rare to see someone handle life's curveballs as gracefully as you have. But, I noticed something in the way you describe your experiences, it's as if you see your life as a show for other's to enjoy, rather than a journey for yourself." Maruki shared, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and concern.

Ren's expression shifted to one of surprise, Maruki's words striking a chord.

Maruki leaned in slightly, his gaze steady and supportive.

"Remember, Ren, your life is exclusively yours to command. It's not just a narrative for others to observe but a masterpiece you're meant to paint with your own choices and desires. Continue doing what you are doing. Spending time with your friends and learning from them, I can tell you cherish them and are learning a lot from them. But don't do it for someone else, do it for yourself."

As the school's alarm bell rung, signaling the imminent closure of its halls, Maruki and Ren rose from their seats, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. They exchanged goodbyes, a mutual understanding silently acknowledged between them.

Unbeknownst to them, as the room emptied and the echo of their steps faded, a solitary blue butterfly fluttered away, its wings catching the dimming light. It fluttered gracefully, an almost ethereal presence amidst the stillness of the school before it vanished as subtly as it had arrived.

~Confidants~

Ren Amamiya (The Jester.) Rank 3

Takuto Maruki (The Councilor) Rank 1