Mariko's words might as well be blows, the sharpness of them cuts Togusa straight down to the bone. Bone, not metal, flesh, not wiring. The astonishment can be seen even on the less expressive cybernetic face.

Fear over what they could be showing him has clouded his perspective on what Retrospec is showing him. So what does he see when he steps back and sees the forest, not just the trees?

The images flash by, seen only to him, like a puzzle piece slotting itself into place. A voice, just like Mariko's, a face, so similar to hers in intensity and manner. The image neatly weaves itself into already-remembered moments, like Togusa just had to focus on it in the right manner to spot her.

"..Mariko."

The illusion of the cybernetic outcome shatters, broken irreparably by the truth that Mariko is speaking out into his mind. It leaves Togusa standing there, not in riot gear or in uniform, but just himself. He can only stand and gasp for breath for a few moments.

The relative silence is broken by more footsteps. Silently, six more figures have appeared between the trees, and they move to stand on either side of the Shadow of Mariko. Bouma. Ishikawa. Pazu. Saito. Aramaki. And the one who still has no name, lingering closest to her.

Togusa has the whole picture now. Mariko has been there the whole time.

"...No matter what." Togusa weakly echoes.

Togusa belatedly notices that he is shaking so badly that he nearly collapses forwards, reaching out a hand to the real Mariko.