[ It isn't Maruki's intention to try counseling him now – just as it wasn't over lunch, but at least they'd been in a safe, enclosed space then. Doing it out in the open, in a world where anything bizarre or dangerous could happen at the drop of a hat? With someone whose emotional state is as volatile as Eren's? Absolutely not.

He shrugs amicably as they wander off. ]

No, I've just been making myself go on walks to try to keep some sort of routine while I'm spinning my wheels. I was going to do one more loop and then head back to see if I can get some work done.

[ He inclines his head toward Eren and smiles, zero compunction to share about himself if he can be self-deprecating. ]

In other words, Eren-kun, you're a welcome distraction for a boring guy like me.