No one's POV
Currently, Nhzual is with Dr. Maruki in the nurse's office and Nhzual was on his third pudding cup.
Maruki: I've been getting a lot of students coming in ever since I arrived here. To be honest, it's been...kind of a relief.
Nhzual: That's good, right?
Maruki: The whole mess with Kamoshida was the reason why I was called here, after all...They warned me a lot of the students had been impacted. I knew there would be a lot of free floating anxiety. But when I talk to everyone, I was pleasantly surprised.
Nhzual: How so?
Maruki: Most of the things on everyone's minds were college entrance exams, relationship problems...In other words, typical worries for high school students.
Nhzual: Shocking...
Maruki: Some did open up about deeper issues, but not the majority. Some students were struggling with the scars from the incident, yes. But at the very least, I'm glad the ones who came to me have taken some steps towards recovery.
Nhzual: So they have, huh?
Nhzual says, now eating mini pretzels with cheese sauce.
Maruki: Well, that's not to say I've gotten a sense of every single student's emotional state. Either way, I hope my worries end up being groundless after all. I know I'm not the mor reliable guy, but remember you can always talk to me too if something's bothering you. Like, exams, relationship problems, maybe even the death of a loved one.
Nhzual immediately paused for second when Maruki said that, but then went back to eating.
Nhzual: Nope. Nothing of the sorts.
Maruki: Well, just remember I am a councilor. If nothing else, I am good at listening. Now, having said that, I have a little favor to ask you.
Nhzual: Shoot.
Maruki: You remember how I asked you to help me with my research?
Nhzual: That I do.
Maruki: I said you'd be helping with my research, but don't worry. It won't be anything too difficult or intensive. I just need you to listen to what I have to say, and work through some questions with me.
Nhzual: Okay, then.
Maruki: Maybe I should start from the beginning. I can tell you a little about what this research is for. What I'm studying now is pain felt in the mind. Or perhaps more fancifully, in the heart. Some specific examples include the pain of someone saying hurtful things to you, or being separated from those you love. Maybe this would be clearer pain defined by abstracts, like trauma or stress. Bodily, physical pain can be thought of as something necessary. An autonomic response to injury, illness, whatever. But what about pain felt within one's heart? That pain isn't born from and tangible problem in our bodies, right? It's something strange and immaterial. I guess it goes to show there are still a lot of mysterious in our own hearts and mind. And I...well, I want to learn more about these internal, psychological pains. Now, this is my question to you. When do you truly feel pain in your heart, Nhzual?
Nhzual's thoughts: Pain in my heart, huh...?
Nhzual: I don't think there's one true answer to that. I guess a few can be seeing people I care about being hurt, being betrayed, or losing someone really important to me...Being reunited with those who you can't see any more...
Maruki: All correct answers. Everyone you stated can turn into intense pain. It can be rough. It doesn't feel good to struggle with pain in your heart. But with that in mind...How about the pain of a broken heart, then? After all, that kind of pain is only born because we fall in love, right? Do you have any thoughts on this kind of pain, Nhzual?
Nhzual: It may hurt, but I feel it's necessary.
Maruki: True. It proves and validated the love that came before it, after all. A very fitting answer from you. Internal, emotional pain can be difficult to deal with. Though some say it's always couple with other feelings. And I agree, of course. I think that's a fair assessment. Though personally speaking...I'd think if pain can be avoided, it should be. Maybe it shouldn't exist at all.
Nhzual: Shouldn't exist?
Maruki: Mm. Wounds of the heart are much harder to detect, and in a way, they're far more complex then physical injuries. That's why I'm doing this research...To save people who are suffering from internal pain they keep holding onto. You helped me realize that purpose again. Thank you.
Nhzual: R-Right...
Nhzual's thoughts: Saving someone from internal pain...
Arcana Councillor Rank 3
(Timeskip)
It's after school and currently, Nhzual and Maruki are sitting outside near the vending machines.
Maruki: Well, Nhzual. I just found out how scary cats can be, despite their cuteness...
Nhzual: And this is coming from where?
Maruki: Oh, it happened this morning on my way to school. I had spotted a kitten that had gotten it's stuck up in a tree. I tried rescuing it since I felt bad for it, but I ended up with a clawing of a lifetime for the effort. I had no idea cat's claws were so sharp...
Nhzual: Oh, I know that feeling...At least it didn't tell you to go to sleep...
Maruki: I'm sorry?
Nhzual: Don't worry about it.
Maruki: Well, all well that ends well. I was able to save it in the end. But let's move on. Let's talk about a different kind of pain. We discussed this for a bit last time we talked actually. Pain felt within one's heart. There are all sorts of ways to identify and diagnose physical injuries and illnesses...But when it comes to pains of the heart, we're working in unknown territory. There's so much we haven't learned yet. Treating trauma sure is difficult when it's invisible...if only we could somehow directly reduce emotional pain in a healthy way like putting antibiotics on a scratch.
Nhzual: I guess that would be great.
Maruki: Right? Something like that would be wonderful...Unfortunate as it may be, we all know there's no topical medicine that can probably heal a heartache. Not only that, psychological issues are even more complex. Here, allow me to demonstrate..."Oh, Nhzual, woe is me! My heart is in such pain! It's like I'm being pierced though the chest! I have such a torturous burning deep inside me!"
Nhzual: ..-_-...Are you done?
Maruki: Sorry...That was a poor attempt acting...
Nhzual: ...-_-...I'm pretty sure everyone is glad you didn't take up a career in acting...
Maruki: Please don't look at me like that?
Nhzual: Oh, what ever do you mean?
Maruki: Anyway, basically what I'm getting at is, our own emotional pain is the only kind of pain we can full comprehend. That seems obvious, right? But it's absolutely vital to understand. A person's "heart" their pain, cannot be seen. Even if they spent their whole lives expressing it to others...there is no way for them to truly grasp it. It's not like we can directly look at their hearts and remove the root causes of their pain...
Nhzual: No...I guess not.
Maruki: But for me to do any good at that area, I need to induct further research into the heart. More specifically, I need to learn how the heart reacts to the world around it. That's the first stepping stone to a breakthrough in the field. Once that's been figured out, we'll not only compared psychological pains that were once unknowable...But we'll even be able to preform more effective treatment for those people with wounded hearts.
Nhzual: I guess you really care for people that much to go through all of this.
Maruki: I'm no saint. I just want to do my job well. If we can get rid of people's pain, that'd be for the best, right? I'm not fan of pain, myself. On the other hand, people have laughed off my idea as just a silly, pointless dream and I can't say I blame them. But still, you take time to listen to what I have to say, and you actually try to understand. Thanks to you, I can tell I'm actually getting somewhere with my theories.
Arcana Councillor Rank 4