"Maria's... mother?" His head spins. On the one hand, he'd been aware on some level that her mother had been neglectful. But she didn't deserve to die for it, did she? What did Minako mean, "making Maria suffer for years?" Exactly what DIDN'T he know about Maria's home life?

"I-is that so," he mutters, trying to regain some control over himself. "My apologies, Maria, I had no idea how bad..." Play along for now. Act like they're right. He needs to find a way to get Maria away from Minako, though. Make her realize how insane she's become. "So that would mean five more 'witches' you need to kill, then?"

He places some emphasis on "kill." Come on, Maria, pick up on his hints.