#marumi

Based on my favorite scene from the movie:

Takuto Maruki was a low-level researcher at K Corp who first met Rumi, a resident of the District 21 (U Corp) Nest, during a business trip picking up some  of U Corp's unique products (I mean, K Corp and U Corp are RIGHT NEXT to each other). They kept up contact, and even managed to meet up at times, though as Rumi's parents were notably higher-ranking they were a bit reluctant, but generally supportive (I'd imagine U corp is relatively chill from what we've seen).

Eventually, they fall in love and begin dating, even getting engaged, though the whole marriage and moving process has been put on hold temporarily due to the ordeal even for other Nest citizens to get residence in the K Corp nest.

But generally, life is good, and Takuto's research has all been going excellently- until, one day, in something that probably seemed trivial at the time, Rumi's parents did something that must've pissed off a Middle member, and consequentially they (along with several of their acquaintances) were brutally annihilated by The Middle, with Rumi having managed to hide and just barely remained alive but with a couple broken bones due to her haste to hide and crippling trauma. Takuto coincidentally comes to visit around this time- having finally, finally been able to come with the good news that Rumi would be able to migrate to the K Corp nest- and is horrified by what's occurred, and desperately tries to help Rumi, who can barely even move, but even encouraging her to speak, or hold him, or breathe seems to be too much- 

And that's when they come in. With brilliant, pure, clean white cloaks, golden gorgets and badges, out from nowhere arrives an Index Proxy and their group of Proselytes. (For those who don't know of the Index for any reason, the Proselyte capes reminded me a lot of Maruki's 3rd Semester Metaverse outfit...)

Takuto is baffled by what's even happening anymore, but apparently they were ordered to help save her by a Prescript, and she is taken to K. Corp with Takuto (after all, she no longer has a home in U Corp).

Whatever skepticism Takuto has is completely disregarded in favor for his desperation to help her- especially as he knows she is far from safe (The Middle Never Forgets, baby!) and has been left in a state of shock at the incident (though potentially not as bad as in P5R canon because this is more normalized in The City, but as a Nest resident would still be horribly traumatized by it), and aims to eventually save up enough for a WARP Train (Does He Know? He Doesn't Know!) to get her to M. Corp / District 13 for their trauma and rehabilitation facilities, especially since she's hardly in a state for travel.

So, with this in mind, plus feeling grateful from their past encounter, AND knowing that the Index would grant the two of them protection free of charge if he does so, Takuto joins The Index as a Proselyte.

It wasn't quite what he expected, whatever he did expect. Many of the Prescripts he received would tend to be very ambiguous, but he must've done them correctly, because no Proxies were ever sent after him- and he was slowly, slowly able to garner funds for the WARP ticket. Though he felt immense guilt whenever the Prescripts did order him to swing his sword- he reminded himself it was the Will of the City, and that each and every Prescript would help them. Even if he couldn't see it. That's… what the blindfold was for.

Eventually, he becomes an Index Messenger, but after so many months, even over a year now, he had begun to grow uneasy. The number of violent Prescripts that he had been made to deliver were increasing and increasing, and he forced himself to look away whenever the Index Proxies would deliver a punishment to any Proselytes that failed their duties. Similarly to Yan, he did his best to give advice to Proselytes regarding how to reduce or avoid painful outcomes from any Prescripts with more ambiguous messages or loopholes. Witnessing the seemingly meaningless suffering in the City, he began to question what the point of it all was, finding himself questioning the Prescripts more and more.

This was further exacerbated when Rumi was killed when an indifferent Proselyte horribly misinterpreted a Prescript, and was executed anyway for it. Takuto felt lost, and believed resolutely that the City itself was wrong for being such a cruel place, twisting and crushing the goodwill and dreams of the people.

"If only we could be forever naive and pure / If only we could lead painless futures / If only there could be a forgiving world," y'know.

So when he receives a Prescript telling him to go to the Main Headquarters of L. Corp- no other detail provided- he takes the opportunity and signs up to be an Employee, specifically an Agent, with no plans to ever go back. (He thought this was clever, but The Prescripts had expected this, anyway.)

L Corp was, um. Well I'm sure he didn't expect to get stuck in the time loop but that's where he is now. Yay!

That's the end of the backstory, since the rest gets into what just follows my gameplay (because this is all based off of my Maruki nugget in Lobcorp and then Ruina) but here are some notes from my gameplay:

Like most other employees, started off by working with Child of the Galaxy, though he instantly got the E.G.O Gift, he probably thought his job was just giving therapy to a child. Lol. Lmao.

This absolute madman hit the 1% chance to get the Da Capo E.G.O Gift on Day 16, on the FIRST attempt it was ever possible (having just gotten high enough Observation Level on Silent Orchestra to do that), therefore becoming immune to white (sanity) damage. He started to get stupidly powerful, and I started sending him to the more powerful Abnormalities which may have fucked with his head.

Sighs. Yes closer to endgame he had Paradise Lost. Somehow he became my most powerful nugget in Lobcorp next to John Lobcorp and had a ridiculous amount of EGO gifts. Look at this man. (ss from my gameplay)

Now with Ruina, he was the FIRST Agent to be awoken by Angela, and was incredibly disoriented without the EGO Gear he was used to, but also mentally feeling far better no longer being trapped in Million Year Time Loop Of Death and actually having some hope for the future. He's Keter floor for several reasons, but mainly that he's already associated with Keter in P5R. (…I would've gotten more fitting Battle Symbols and a better Title for him but I'll work on that one day since I already finished the game.)

Yes I gave him Yan's page and outfit. Sorry.

It helps that some people from some Mirror Worlds (Maybe Mirror Worlds weren't known in the timeline here yet. I don't care) are also here. One of which is very familiar.

PART 1: “Who is my heart waiting for?"

Azathoth may have rewritten Rumi's cognition, but it couldn't rewrite her heart. She LOVED Maruki, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. That doesn't go away so easily...

Brainwashed Rumi is happy living with her grandparents in the countryside after leaving her life in Tokyo behind, but she can't help but feel like something is missing.

Rumi keeps having recurring dreams of Maruki-- who to her is just a mysterious man in glasses that she recognizes but can't identify. Sometimes it's her carving statues of him that crumble away to dust before she can finish. Sometimes he's a ghost haunting her house that she cannot exorcise. Sometimes he's a siren calling to her and she jumps overboard trying to reach him only to drown. Her heart yearns for something it cannot have.

Rumi tries to fill the hole in her heart with new loves-- dating around with everyone in her rural town. But nothing feels the same. Even after she gets into a serious relationship and accepts a proposal, she can't shake the lingering feeling that something's wrong. 

Rumi finally gets some clarity after the Metaverse collapses and Azathoth loses its power over her. She regains nearly all her memories of her long-lost ex-fiance... how much she loved him... and how he left her in the hospital room right before she dissociated from reality. But unfortunately, due to her trauma coming back, Rumi's memories don't return to her clearly. She still can't recall Maruki's name or how to contact him, and it drives her even more insane than the trauma does alone.

After his Palace Collapse/Change of Heart, Maruki does in fact worry about Rumi, if her memories came back, and how she's doing. Unfortunately he's so preoccupied with starting his own life over and finding a new job that he doesn't have time to look into her situation. By the time he finally figures out where she was living and contacts her grandparents-- she's already dealt with her trauma on her own and moved out. He feels bad that he was too late to help, but forces himself to move on.

PART 2: “And Just Like That, My Head Still Takes Me Back”

The fateful day occurs-- Rumi, now back in the Tokyo area, decides to take a cab... and runs into Maruki.

Rumi is elated-- 'THERE HE IS!!' It's like a key has turned and her memories are unlocked. She remembers his name, she remembers everything. She can FINALLY talk to him again! Tell him what's happened! Ask him what's happened to him and, and...

Maruki is mortified. There she is. The woman he failed over and over. The woman he made a pact with the devil and nearly brainwashed the whole world for. The former lover he was terrified to get close to. The pain in his heart he thought he could finally move on from-- and she was sitting right there in his cab. Asking for his phone number and when he's free to meet up.

Maruki tries his best to dodge the questions, but fails. "No, I'm definitely not mistaking you for someone else." "Well my job makes me pretty busy too, but maybe you could at least give me your phone number? Or social media account?" Rumi wasn't going to let him slip away, not this time, not again. Maruki finally relents, and they exchange contact information. They agree to meet at a park that weekend.

When Maruki and Rumi meet on that park bench and tell each other how they've been... they quickly realize that they're both completely different people than the ones they remember. It pushes them apart at first... But the more they talk, the more they realize that they know each other's pain better than anyone else possibly could. They've both been broken by trauma, and they've both picked themselves back up from it multiple times. It might not be the same as before, but there's still something there connecting them.

Rumi explains her plight with her memories. How she missed Maruki for so long, how the faint memory of him haunted her, how much it means to her to finally see him and remember him again.

Hearing this, the guilt overwhelms Maruki. He can't take it anymore... he tells her the truth. The entire truth. Everything-- his cognitive psience research, Azathoth, what really happened that day in the hospital, his ill-intentioned medical practice after losing his research funding, what he did to the world, "...and if it weren't for The Phantom Thieves changing my heart, I never would have realized just how delusional it all was."

Rumi takes a while to process this... in disbelief at first but, after pressing him for details, she finally comes to accept it as true... and when she does...

To say she was disgusted is an understatement. She was furious. she slaps him in the face, "How dare you-!" Leaving Rumi behind on PURPOSE?! Screwing with her memories, making her forget about him, and forcing her into delusional happiness? Invading people's privacy, removing their autonomy, not to mention the medical malpractice against minors-- it went against everything Rumi stood for. Everything she and Maruki used to believe in. This wasn't the man she fell in love with all those years ago!!

Maruki winces and rubs his cheek, "Yeah, I probably deserved that..." She hated him. Good. As she should. It doesn't matter that he had a change of heart, it doesn't matter that he started his life over... he's still Takuto Maruki. The neurotic idiot who screws up everything. Rumi deserved better than him, and she should know that before trying to associate with him again. Hopefully, this would be the end of it.

'It's OVER' Rumi thinks when she gets home. Maruki wasn't just her former fiancé, he was her EX fiancé! She looks forward to never talking to him again.

But... as the days go on, Rumi starts to calm down... and starts to think. She remembers something. That day, when Maruki took her memories, she had said something to him... she had asked him to "Stop this..." that she "wanted to forget". It wasn't a sentiment she agreed with now, but she was in so much pain back then that it was what she wanted. That's when Rumi realizes... Maruki didn't tell her everything. He left out some important details..... damnit, she needed to talk to him again.

'Why does she still need to talk to me?!' Maruki panicked as they met again, this time out front of a cafe. Rumi gives him a serious look, "Why?" "...huh?" "You told me the terrible things you did... but not why you did them. So why? What drove you to mess with people's brains?" "......oh."

Maruki struggles at first, but eventually is able to explain. How he couldn't stand watching people suffer. How he hated the cruelty and unfairness of the world. How he wanted to protect people from it. How he wanted everyone to get the happiness they deserved. How he wanted to be a guiding light that saved them. To save her. To give her what he thought she wanted.

"But that doesn't justify what I did." Maruki finished, resolute that this explanation wouldn't change anything, "Not a day goes by when I don't regret my actions... No matter how noble I thought they were, at the time..."

Hearing all this, Rumi comes to a realization. The person Maruki is describing wasn't him... it was her. Rumi, the always kindhearted girl who helped others before herself to the point of forgetting to eat sometimes. Rumi, the hot-headed girl who insisted the pathetic nerd Maruki grow a spine and take charge for the greater good. Takuto was desperately trying to be this idealized version of the woman he loved, the person he believed Rumi wanted him to be... and in typical Takuto fashion, he fumbled it. Big time.

This man in front of her wasn't just the megalomaniac he had tried to convince her he was. He was also a hopeless romantic corrupted by grief. A neurotic idiot who assumed he had made the most logical plan for the greatest good, and executed it diligently. And now? He knows he screwed up everything and regrets it wholeheartedly. He’s a man who takes accountability so earnestly that he'd rather make pennies as a cab driver than dare stay in some sort of well-paying scientific or medical career. A man who likes to help people in the small ways Rumi often overlooked-- giving you a snack when you're down, or a ride to where you want to go. He was still Takuto Maruki. He was still the man she loved.

Maruki looked at Rumi expecting her to be just as cross with him as before... but is caught off guard by her having a sympathetic smile. ‘...oh no.’

Part 3: “Can We Start Over? Can We Get Closer?”

When Rumi tells him she forgives him for what he did and wants to see him again, Maruki is dumbstruck. Why? How?! It took him so long just to forgive himself and yet she does it just like that! She's illogical, she's being too kind for her own good, she's... amazing. He agrees to see her again. Goddamnit.

Rumi can tell that Maruki won't stop blaming himself, even after she's told him she doesn’t blame him. It's frustrating, and she realizes she's probably going to have to brute-force her way into being his friend again. Challenge accepted.

They spend time at parks, boardwalks, book stores, city landmarks, and coffee shops.

At first they talk about banal things. How Shibusawa and their college friends are doing. How much better the government is without Masayashi Shido. Maruki tells Rumi about how he's taken an interest in music, since he listens to the radio so much during his job. Rumi tells Maruki about how she's taken up flower arranging, and how she posts photos of them online.

Slowly but surely, the discussions get more intimate. Rumi talks about how hard it is to get by every day. Maruki talks about how he's haunted by his regrets. She shares how much she missed him. He asks her why she ever fell in love with someone like him in the first place. Etcetera...

Several times they plan on meeting, or are even in the middle of hanging out, when Rumi's PTSD gets in the way. Dissociative episodes, panic attacks... she's gotten used to them every so often, but has also gotten used to them putting off her friends. Maruki is emotionally intelligent enough to understand what they are... and to give her space without judgement. Rumi tells him she appreciates it, Maruki says it's "no problem". He doesn't realize just how much it means to her. To still be cared for even with her setbacks... it makes her appreciate him even more.

At one point, Rumi is feeling nostalgic and decides to visit the old flower field she and Maruki used to go to in high school. She is surprised to find Maruki there. He admits he frequents this place when he's feeling down. She thinks it's incredibly sweet.

They are close friends, now. Sending 'Good Morning' and 'Good Night' texts to each other every day. Meeting in person at least once a week, if not several times.  

Part 4: “Cuz We Belong Together Now, Yeah”

Rumi can't ignore her feelings anymore. She tells Maruki she wants to get closer. She wants to be his girlfriend again.

Rumi confesses, "I don't need anyone, but I want you. I love you, Takuto! All over again." "....." "But you don't love me back, do you...?" "No..." "I knew it." "No, you're wrong." "?" "Rumi, I..." He looks her straight in the eyes, "I never stopped loving you." "?! ...then why-?!" "Because I'm afraid." He admits, "Afraid I'll lose you again..."

Their relationship was going so well, but now it's strained again. Rumi tries to get closer to him, Maruki pushes her away. Rumi tries to be romantic with him, Maruki shuts the conversation down. Rumi concedes and gives Maruki his distance, he frets over her and seeks her affection. Neither of them realize that the other is fantasizing about them while laying in bed at night. It's an agonizing tug-of-war.

Rumi convinces Maruki to let her see his apartment. Maruki relents, and they spend a relaxing day together watching movies and such. Rumi asks to spend the night... Maruki gently refuses, escorting her home. 

One day... Maruki's guard breaks. Rumi leans in to kiss him... and he lets her. He even kisses back-- although he is very slow and awkward about it. After the kiss, he's in denial about it even happening-- much to Rumi's frustration.

Another evening, Maruki walks Rumi home, dropping her off at her apartment. She offers to let him spend the night. He declines, and fully intends to head straight home. However, after making it quite a ways, he feels a lump in his throat. 'No... I can't go back, I can't get close to her, I can't... I can't take this, anymore!!' he turns around-!

Rumi is surprised when she opens the door and sees Maruki there, out of breath. "Did you forget something?" "YES." he composes himself, "I- I forgot to give you something." He gently grabs her chin. Rumi feels the butterflies in her stomach as she realizes what he's doing. The kiss is heartfelt-- not held back like before. "...does your offer still stand?" he asks, face flushed. Rumi hooded her eyes, smiling eagerly, "Of course~"

The flood gates open from there, and the two are relentlessly passionate for one another in a way they haven't been since college.

"So you still into weird kinky tentacle stuff like you were back in the day?" Rumi asks nonchalantly as they sit up in bed together. Maruki chuckles nervously, "N-no, not really--" but then he stops. Thinking back to his Persona, Azathoth. He blushes madly, hiding his face in shame, "--okay, maybe a little." Rumi smirks smugly at him, "Called it."

"Oh god it was so embarrassing," Maruki recounts his fight with the Phantom Theives to Rumi, "I was wearing this skin-tight golden body suit-" "Oh?" "It had some armor plating in the front and-- I think a thong in the back?" "A thong, you say?" "I think so? It was very reveali-- why are you smiling at me like that?" Rumi blushes, "No reason~"

One day they go on a date to Le Blanc and the Phantom Thieves are there, having a big reunion. Comedy ensues. "You're the teenagers Takuto told me about?!" "You're Doctor Maruki's ex-fiance?!" "Was. As of right now, I'm his girlfriend again~ 😏" "😮😮😮"

Maruki and Rumi’s relationship continues to have ups and downs, but overall they are very mature about it and are able to work things out and keep things steady.

Part 5: “I’ll Love You for a Thousand More”

After at least a year back together, Rumi asks "...should we get married?" Maruki replies, "Excuse me--" going over to his bookshelf. He comes back with a HUGE binder of papers, slamming it on the table-- 'Wedding Plans'. His glasses glint menacingly. Finally, the time has come. (This man's Palace Ruler uniform was a wedding tuxedo, I like to think he's a Groomzilla lol)

"Aren't you glad that you don't have to get my parent's approval anymore?" Rumi grimly jokes. Maruki gives her a disturbed stare. She coughs awkwardly, forgetting he's more sensitive about it than she is, "...sorry."

In spite of Maruki's fantasies, he and Rumi's budget only allows for a very modest (perhaps even underwhelming) wedding. Rumi fears Maruki might feel bad, but he reassures her that the only thing that matters in the end is that she's there with him.

The nights leading up to and after the wedding are hard on both of them due to their past, but it's especially rough for Maruki. Multiple times he wakes up in the night crying, tightly gripping Rumi and desperately asking her if this is real or just another dream. She reassures him that it's really her and yes that wedding actually happened. It takes time but his brain eventually learns to accept it.

Finally married, the two live a simple honest life together.

Maruki and Rumi both like kids, but due to Rumi's mental health and their meager incomes they decide against having any.

They do, however, enjoy playing an aunt/uncle role to the assorted members of the Phantom Thieves, whenever they cross paths.

Perhaps some sort of Plot goes down and the two wind up in the Metaverse together and have their own adventure with their own personas-- who knows.

Through thick and thin, they listen to and love each other very much.

....and so they lived HAPPILY EVER AFTER, THE END!! 👏👏👏

If you've made it this far, thank you! I hope you enjoyed this hypothetical love-rekindled story as much as I enjoyed coming up with it!

Feel free to use this as inspiration for your own TakuRumi fics or art! Do tag me if you make any tho, I wanna see it 👀