The Change He Wanted- Takuto Maruki x reader (Persona 5)

|Chapter 6: Meditation|

Since today was a free day and a non school day you didn't really know how to spend your day.

"I wonder if anyone is available to hang out. I might as well ask." You checked your messages to if anyone had said anything.

So far Ann was going to do some modeling, Ryuji is going to go out with Akira somewhere around Kichijoji which only left you. You noticed another message, it was from Maruki himself.

"Hello Y/N, is this your number? I hope I'm not getting the wrong number. Last time a student gave me their number and well let's just say they gave me the wrong number." Maruki texted.

You replied back with "Yes it is, did you have something in mind that you wanted to talk about?"

"Ah! Fast reply! Thank you for not leaving me on read or anything, I'm relieved. There was something I had in mind, would you like to meet at Inokashira park?" Maruki asked.

If I meet Maruki at Inokashira park this could help deepen my bond with him...Hold up I'm not even a main protagonist to even unlock confidants.

You looked at your wardrobe but wondered what you'd wear.

"Should I wear something nice or something causal? This is my psychologist after all... Does it really matter how I dress near him??" You thought to yourself.

You picked out the clothes that would at least make you look good in public. You headed out with a bag and yen inside it as well. You headed for Inokashira park and arrived just on time.

You looked around for Maruki.

"Hey Y/N, over here!" You heard Maruki shout.

You turned around and noticed him, he was wearing a brown coat with that blue collared shirt he wears and a tie. Although he wasn't wearing his tag.

"Doctor- I mean Maruki, shouldn't you be wearing your badge?" You asked.

"My badge...? Oh! My badge, damn it...! I must've forgotten it..." Maruki looked upset.

"It's alright, there's always a next time in everything." You said to make him feel better.

Maruki looked up at you and smiled again.

"I'm supposed to be the one encouraging you and here you are encouraging me instead. What a failure of a psychologist I am...." Maruki laughed.

You felt bad for him and so you placed your hand on his shoulder. Despite the gap between your height you managed to reach Maruki's shoulder and place your hand on it to comfort him. You gave him a slow pat on the shoulder. Maruki looked at you surprised.

"Are you trying to comfort me...?" Maruki looked at you.

You nodded.

"Thank you Y/N, I appreciate the support." Maruki nodded.

"Speaking of which I have this thing to tell you... Have you ever tried meditating? I hear if you try it'll calm you down." Maruki waved his finger.

"Meditating...? Isn't that where the person sits down and cross their legs together?" You asked.

"Well um, there's different kinds of way to meditate. For example you can just lay down and close your eyes and think about something." Maruki suggested.

"So you're saying it's like going to sleep?" You asked.

"No no! It seems you don't understand Y/N... I'd understand. Some people don't understand meditation. It's like this.." Maruki sat down on a nearby bench.

What is he doing now..?

He gestured you to come sit down with him. You did so and sat at least one space a part of him.

"That space...! It's almost too scary how much space is between us." Maruki mentioned.

I thought he wouldn't mention that space between us, we're out in public and we'll look like something else. People could get the wrong idea that he's probably my dad or a family member to me considering how older he is than me.

You scooted in a little to fill that gap between you two.

"Sorry I didn't mean to be so careless. Shall we start?" Maruki asked.

You nodded in agreement.

"I want you to close your eyes and empty your head, don't think about anything at the moment." Maruki added.

You listened to Maruki, closing your eyes and trying to erase negative thoughts from your mind but they kept just coming back to you. You felt your hand reach in for Maruki's arm and grab it.

"O-Oh dear...! You're not thinking of anything horrifying are you now? I wouldn't mind if you clinged on to me for comfort but it must be scary." Maruki stuttered.

"Remember to think about the good stuff, always fill your mind with a positive mindset." Maruki insisted.

You kept thinking about Maruki, how he has helped you in opportunities like meeting friends and possibly having you open up a little more. You feel like before you were more closed up like a bird inside a cage but then being let out free.

"Y/N.... You're finally thinking about the good things. I could see you smiling." Maruki laughed.

You opened your eyes and looked over at Maruki. It seemed you were grabbing his hand instead. You suddenly let go in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry doctor...! I didn't really mean to-"

You noticed that he had a smile on his face, he didn't feel awkward nor uncomfortable but had that smile on his face. The one he always gives everyone else.

"It's okay, I understand if you were in the need of wanting someone to hold. They say holding someone or hugging someone in the need of comfort is great. So if you need someone to hug, my arms are yours." Maruki smiled.

You felt your face turn pink when said that. Once you returned home you couldn't help but think about him.

That's when your phone rang and saw that Maruki was calling you.

"Oh, I forgot to ask... By any chance did that meditation make you feel better? Like emotionally?" Maruki asked.

"It honestly did, I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for you. You're very sweet Maruki." You said.

"I-I.... Thank you..! That means a lot to me!" Maruki stuttered again.

Why is so cute whenever he stutters? It's like he wouldn't know how to respond and he's so shy all of a sudden.

You felt your heart race as you walked inside. Thinking about things that had happened today.