maru

Maru is one of the two girls who guided Watanuki into Yūko's shop. It remains unclear whether they were created by Yūko, Clow Reed, both, or someone else entirely. Given that they have no souls and cannot leave the shop, it is assumed they were created there. Possible Powers: In chapter 126, Yūko explained why Maru and Moro must stay within the shop. The shop itself is invisible to anyone unless they are destined to do business with Yūko. Maru and Moro's concentration sustains the shop's existence, but as a side effect, they experience prolonged periods of deep sleep. They assist around the shop and often act as cheerleaders, frequently speaking in unison or nearly so. Watanuki generally gets along with them, except when they drag him into one of Yūko's schemes. Their full names mean "exposing oneself in public," similar to "flashing" and "streaking" in English. This could be a pun on the 'xxx' in xxxHOLiC, which acts as a variable in the title but also resembles 'XXX,' synonymous with pornography. Given the seinen audience, this double meaning is likely intentional. There are few instances where Maru and Moro appear in serious scenes. In the parasite angel chapter, Watanuki invited them to join him at the festival, but they responded in unison with a dazed look, saying, "Those without souls cannot leave this place... for their bodies will disintegrate." They show concern not only for Yūko but also for Watanuki despite frequently annoying him. In volume 6 of the manga, when Watanuki returned from visiting the "lady in the park," Maru and Moro immediately sensed something was wrong. When Watanuki collapsed, they dragged him to the shop's gates, saying, "This is as far as we can go," before tossing him out to a waiting Dōmeki. In the anime, Watanuki shows signs of slight affection towards them; in episode 18, when Dōmeki read a letter written by Mokona and Maru/Moro, Watanuki was pleased to see they thought of him.