Takuto Maruki

> "So it's important not to push yourself too hard. Remember, your mind needs time to rest too."
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> - Takuto Maruki
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**Takuto Maruki** is one of many mayjor characters in Neopets Time the Series, he is a counselor at ▀▀▀▀▀. He also makes a guest appreance in Persona 5 Royal.

## HISTORY

Years prior to the events of Neopets Time the Series Maruki was a researcher of cognitive psience and hoped to use his study of the cognitive world to further the development of psychotherapy. However, all of that came to a head when the parents of his then fiancée, Rumi, were murdered and the support behind his research was suddenly pulled. In a spiral a sorrow he awakened to his true self, Azathoth, and was given the power of changing the very foundation of reality itself, the power of Actualization. Using this he hoped to make a world free of pain, a perfect reality.

However, his plans for a perfect reality were discarded as one fateful summer afternoon, everything changed. The ground shook and crumbled as the very world itself was lifted up into the endless abyss overtaking everything in it's path, as Maruki tired to help students and teachers evacuate he noticed in the sky that some sort of portal had emerged and, for that brief moment, it felt as if he saw the very gates of heaven itself open. Soon after, everything went black and when he next awoke, he was in the world known as Iphone 2.

In the world of Iphone 2 he still continues his job as a counselor due to the stressful situation at hand but he also works with the Anti NEOCORP Alliance to return everyone to their rightful homes. While painful to admit, he also works against them out of a bitter feeling of guilt as, if he hadn't been brought into this world, he would still be blinded by his own sorrow and created a reality akin to this. His rejection of NEOCORP is a sign of his personal redemption to himself.

## PERSONALITY

Fitting for this job, Maruki is an extremely patient and compassionate person. He has a friendly aura about him that eases the stress of those around him, making him quite popular among other Iphone 2 denizens. He’s quite prone to getting himself into unfortunate situations due to his clumsiness and impulsivity, sometimes even having his kindness taken advantage of by scammers and con artists. While he’s not naïve he simply just wishes to see the best in people. He can get in over his head trying to help others sometimes but really, he just wants what’s best for everyone in the end.

Despite his cheerful exterior however he hides an intense amount of sorrow and guilt within his heart. He has a very distorted sense of self worth and deliberately excludes himself from his wish of everyone living a full, peaceful life, believing he doesn’t deserve that happiness. Even in a world where his perfect reality came to fruition he alone would be the only person left miserable. He’s trying to break through this cycle of self destruction though rather then let his depression drag him deeper into this abyss he finds himself in. It’s a messy process but, with the support of those around him, he’s improving day by day.

## TRIVA

* The flowers in his palaces are snapdragons (deviousness & deception) yarrow (healing, success) and baby’s breath (everlasting love, compassion)
* As evidence of his main outfit Maruki lacks a...refined taste in fashion. If given the chance would wear a Hawaiian shirt with crocs everywhere.
* He enjoys rock and often listens to bands such as Depeche Mode.
* He enjoys gardening and has an interest in flower language. His favorite flowers are forget me nots,
* Part of a band with Hamuko Arisato and Makoto Yuki called MIDNIGHT ANEMONE, he plays the drums.