[ makoto wipes away the blood on his hand with a napkin and dabs at his nose while diluc disappears from the table. when the man returns, he shakily takes the glass placed in front of him and drinks. it's cool and sweet, not overly so, and makoto finds the taste calming... despite his mind and body feeling like they were on the verge of a freakout.

after a few more swallows, he moves the glass to press it to his cheek and the side of his head. the chill was grounding, but nothing could fully convince him that this was reality while he listened to diluc—

especially not after the appearance of the small, controllable fire.

no that... wasn't possible. it wasn't possible, or the man was an expert circus performer or magician. maybe that was his Ultimate? was this whole experience some sort of screening for Hope's Peak before he even arrived at the school?

the ache in his head starts to return, and makoto is forced to shake the thoughts away. this wasn't fair... and made no sense... how could he not know, and why did it hurt to remember? ]

I-I'm sorry, but... this can't be real. It's... none of it makes sense. [ he stares at the fire in the man's hand and nods towards it ] Especially that! And worlds? Knights?... I-I have to be dreaming.