>>1806022

Ark City looms in the distance, all glass and steel like the very image of a modern city. Your city, your home. It always feels strange to see it from the outside, rather than taking in the sights from street level. The great pyramid of the grand arcology looks like something out of a science fiction movie, while the corporate towers rising up from each corner reign over the smaller buildings around them.

A strange place, but it's the city you've sworn to protect.

“What an odd holiday that was,” Kasumi says as she joins you at the prow of the ship, “Not quite my idea of relaxation. Then again, I suppose it was intended as a working holiday – Jodi certainly seems happy with the work she got done. Apparently, she managed to coax that soldier friend of hers into giving up a few “off the record” details.”

“Miller?” you remark, “Well, I guess... Chances are, he'll just give her the official version of events. It's probably what he believes is the truth.” Shrugging the issue off, you look back to Ark City, both of you falling into a companionable silence.

“You're looking better,” Kasumi says after a while, “Getting that sleep must have helped.”

“I was in bed, sure, but I didn't do much sleeping,” you reply, flushing a dark red as you realise what you just said. Kasumi just giggles delicately, covering her mouth with hand. “Yeah yeah, you know what I mean,” you grunt, feigning grumpiness, “I had a talk with Kurosawa. We... we cleared up a few things. It wasn't all sweetness and light, but it was a conversation that we needed to have. I feel better for it, a lot better.”

“One does find that getting these things out in the open is a blessing,” nodding gracefully, Kasumi taps a finger against her chin, “Speaking of clearing up a few things, would you still like to see my home? I feel that it might explain a few things about me, better than anything I could say to you. Say... tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” you gasp in mock horror, “You're not going to invite me over for a sleepover?”

“My my, so eager!” Kasumi laughs again, “But no, my home is not exactly... suitable for a sleepover. I imagine that you'd understand if you saw it for yourself. In either case, I won't make any demands – if you had other plans...”

“Plans? Not really...” you think aloud, “I don't normally have the time to make plans. Stuff tends to just get dumped on me, and I'm left to deal with it. That doesn't really leave much time for planning.” Laughing quietly, you give Kasumi a good-natured shrug. “But that's enough complaining,” you decide, “I've got a good thing going, I don't want to ruin it now.”

“That's the spirit!” Kasumi says with a warm smile, “Call me later, okay? We can arrange something. I'll keep a slot in my schedule open for you!”

[2/3]

>>1806024

After your ship pulls into port, you pass through security – no mishaps this time, fortunately – and stroll out into scenic Ark City. It's already late, so your group decides to part ways. Saying your goodbyes, you amble away into the familiar streets. The first thing you notice is the security guards, a small group of them standing outside a Renko clinic. Chalk lines have been drawn out front, suggesting that they plan on building something – a bunker, by the looks of it.

Sighing, you pass them by. This must be the security that Nebiros spoke of. Before you can spend too long bemoaning the state of your city, your phone rings. It's Jun, or some member of the Sentinels at least. Shrugging, you take the call.

“Miho, hello,” Jun says, sounding faintly distracted, “I can't really talk for long, but I wanted to check in with you.”

“Okay, I guess?” you reply, “I'm back in Ark City now, so-”

“Yes, I heard. As soon as you passed through port security,” he interrupts, “Quick question. Might be nothing, but I wanted to check. Were you in contact with Chiaki Jackson before you took your break? We'd been monitoring her, and... well, it's a long story. Were you talking with her, perhaps?”

What he really wants to ask is, “Did you kill her inhuman stalker and ruin our plans for her?” He won't ask you that directly, though, he's too polite for that. “I talked to her a bit. We DO go to the same school,” you remind him, smiling coyly to yourself, “Why do you ask?”

Jun is silent for a long moment. “No reason,” he says at last, faint petulance in his voice, “I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Oh, Pietr is up and about – he asked after you, seemed quite upset when I told him that you were on holiday. Well, I'm sorry for bothering you. Welcome back, by the way. I hear it was an eventful weekend.”

“No kidding,” you agree, “See you around, Jun.”

He hangs up, leaving you to tuck your phone away. Then, making sure that nobody is watching, you allow yourself a good honest laugh at his expense. Once that's out of the way, you start thinking about your plans for tomorrow.

Having time to make plans... it still feels like a novelty.

>Take Kasumi up on her offer
>Arrange to meet up with Pietr
>Meet up with Megumi, thank her for watching the city
>Other

>>1806027
>Take Kasumi up on her offer
Though that shouldn't take all day. We might be able to squeeze in one of the other two options after we are done.

>>1806027
>Take Kasumi up on her offer
>Arrange to meet up with Pietr after

>>1806027
>Take Kasumi up on her offer
>Call Pietr and arrange to meet up sometime

>>1806027
>>Take Kasumi up on her offer
if Pietr starts a relationship with Miho, I wonder if the Sentinels would allow it just to see what kind of mary sue child they could come up with.

>>1806027

>Take Kasumi up on her offer

>>1806027
>Take Kasumi up on her offer

Speaking of novelty, the idea of seeing a little more of Kasumi's private life is strangely appealing. She's spun a nice little air of mystery about her, and now you're about ready to learn the truth. You'll take her up on her offer, and then you'll see where the day takes you – chances are, you'll have your evening free. Maybe you'll call up Pietr, see if he's available to go to the arcade...

Nodding decisively to yourself, you start off towards your apartment. It'll be quite a change to sleep in your own bed after the luxurious suites at Neptune Island, but you're looking forwards to it nonetheless. There's nothing quite like coming back to your own home, with all the familiar quirks.

That was something Hikari often mentioned, you realise, she often talked about the satisfaction of returning home after a night of patrolling. Remembering her like this, with a simple and unforced memory, is another novelty. A pleasant surprise... hopefully, you'll have many more of them ahead of you in the days to come.

-

Back at your apartment, you quickly get to work unpacking. When you come across a pair of balled-up socks, the unedited footage of your battle with the Spider unit hidden within, you shove them deep into the back of your drawer. It's not exactly a bank vault, but it's innocuous enough that people won't go searching there. Leaving the rest of your luggage for now, you take out your phone and flop back down onto your bed, dialling Kasumi's number.

“Hey, Kasumi?” you begin, “Just getting back to you about that offer. Can you talk?”

“By all means,” she replies, “Go ahead. I'm a little busy with unpacking, but I can talk.”

Glancing at your own scattered clothes, you smile a little to yourself. “I'd like to see your place,” you tell her, “Tomorrow, yeah? I've got school, so... we could meet up outside the gates if you want. I might not be able to stay all night though, I've got some other stuff I need to take care of.”

“Attending to your legion of admirers, Miho?” a coy note enters Kasumi's voice, before she washes it away with a clear laugh, “That's quite alright with me. As for meeting up at school... hmm, I can do that. I hope you don't mind, though, but I might need to do some shopping on the way home. It won't be too much of an imposition, I assure you.”

“Shopping, huh?” shrugging silently to yourself, you glance at the clock. It's late. “Fancy perfume again?” you add, “Or were you looking for a new outfit?”

“Nothing quite as glamorous as that, I'm afraid,” she replies, genuine regret in her voice.

[1/2]

File: Kasumi Sato.jpg (604 KB, 1080x1080)

604 KB JPG

>>1806063

Kasumi certainly wasn't kidding about that. From your school gates, she leads you to the vice district then off into a crude marketplace, a bustle of clashing accents and foreign tongues. You never knew something like this existed in Ark City, it feels more like a transplant from some third-world country. Kasumi seems at ease here, guiding you through the maze of stalls as she buys various bits and pieces – a sack of rice, some misshapen vegetables and even a little twist of plastic wrap filled with some fragrant spice.

“You can't get meat here,” she explains as you're leaving, “But the prices on everything else are so low!”

It's strange, hearing her talk of frugality – just one piece of her outfit probably costs more than everything you're currently wearing.

-

After the marketplace, she leads you to a desolate building – something that looks more like a building site than a finished home. Three stories, with boarded-up windows and empty doorways. As you approach, a young man sidles out to greet you. His skin is the colour of mocha, while his hair is wound into tight dreadlocks. His eyes seem quick and clever, never lingering on any one place for too long.

“Hey Sato, you're looking tired,” he announces, “Looks like you could use a Boost. Step into my office, we can talk...”

“No thank you, Pip,” Kasumi cuts him off, shaking her head sharply, “I get quite enough stimulation from regular life, I don't need any extra. We've had this conversation before, have we not?”

“Maybe so, maybe so,” the man shrugs, “Say, who's your friend? You're not going to introduce me?”

“No,” she says quite simply, “I don't think so.” With that, she marches past him without a backwards glance, starting up a set of stairs inside the desolate building. Watching her leave, the young man tuts in quiet irritation.

>Follow after her
>Take a moment to introduce yourself
>Other

>>1806081
>Follow after her
Maybe give him a respectful nod or quick bow, but keep moving.

>>1806081
>>Follow after her

>>1806081
>Follow after her
>"I'm good with stimulation, too. Following her is quite the experience."

>>1806081
>Follow after her
Better not make a fuss with a drugdealer

>>1806088
no

>>1806081
>Follow after her

>>1806088
no

>>1806081
>Follow after her
>Don't make unnecessary comments

Glancing quickly between the young man and her retreating back, you give him a quick bow – quick, but cautiously respectful – and hurry after her. He's not the most intimidating specimen you've ever seen, and he's nothing compared with the Intruders, but you're still strangely relieved when he doesn't follow after you or attempt to bar your passage. Even so, you can feel his eyes – cool and mocking – on your back as you scurry up the stairs.

“What was that about?” you mutter to Kasumi once you judge yourself out of earshot, “Who was that guy?”

“Pip?” Kasumi pretends to think on it for a moment, “I suppose you might say that he's one of my tenants. His people pay me for the use of the basement.”

“They...” pausing, you glance back down and gather your thoughts, “Wait, go back. You own this building?”

“Not as such. My guardians owns it, albeit through a rather tortuous system of paperwork. Officially, it's a property development that stalled due to a lack of funds, but for all extends and purposes...” Kasumi hesitates as you reach a heavy steel door, the first door that you've seen so far. “It's home,” she finishes quietly, shifting her bag of shopping and taking out a key, “Not much to look at, is it?”

You're not exactly sure what to say about this. “It's... hey, it's a roof over your head,” you offer weakly, “That's gotta count for something, right?”

“Ever the optimist,” Kasumi laughs at this, shoving the heavy door open with one shoulder and ambling inside. You follow, casting a slow look around the room. There isn't much to see – precious little in the way of furniture or decorations, and just the bare minimum of appliances. A bare lightbulb hangs from the ceiling, but it glows. At the very least, she has electricity.

“Electricity and running water,” she explains, noticing your look, “Courtesy of my... tenants down in the basement. One of them is rather good with computers. I don't quite know how they do it, but they've convinced the central authority to give us power. So long as we don't draw too much off the grid, nobody knows that we're here. Another one of the benefits of keeping them around, I suppose.”

At the mention of her tenants, the conversation turns awkward. “I'll make tea,” she adds, taking out a small camping stove, “Take a look around, make yourself at home.”

Setting down your bag, you allow yourself to wander. The rest of her apartment isn't any better than the main room, although you can tell that she's tried very hard to keep it in good order. No piles of trash or filth, and definitely no spiderwebs gathering in the corners. If anything, it's probably cleaner than your own room.

[1/2]

>>1806136

Kasumi's bedroom is a peculiar sight. Most of it is the same as the rest of her apartment – bare walls, unpainted plaster, the works – while one solitary wall is carefully decorated to look like a modern, fashionable bedroom. Painted the colour of red wine and detailed with a few small portraits, it feels like something taken out of a much nicer house. She has a bookshelf nearby, and you can't help but take a glance at the contents – books about etiquette, about decorum and deportment... everything that a young girl might need to become a noble lady.

Her closet stands nearby, but Kasumi calls your name before you can sneak a look inside. The smell of tea greets you when you return, two mismatched cups waiting on a low table.

“You've got pretty, uh, interesting ideas of decoration,” you begin, immediately cursing yourself for a tactless fool. Showing no sign of offence, Kasumi just laughs away your discomfort.

“The wall, you mean? Sometimes, I like to take pictures of myself. Just little things to show people,” she admits, “I can't exactly use these dreary walls as a backdrop, can I? May I make a confession? I couldn't actually scavenge up enough paint to cover the whole wall – there's a blank patch hidden behind the bookshelf.”

The way she says this, with grave and absolute seriousness, causes you both to laugh away some of the tension.

“But jeez,” you sigh after a moment, “I never realised...”

“Well, I like to keep it that way. I'm not looking for pity,” Kasumi shrugs delicately, “I'll admit, coming to live here was a shock at first, but I've had time to adjust. Now that I've got power and water, it can be comfortable enough. Winters can be tough, but we can't have everything. Still, I trust that you see what I mean now – this is hardly a suitable place for a sleepover.”

“True,” you concede, taking another look around at the bare walls. Really, you're still not sure if you'd call this “habitable”, but...

“I don't wish to be demanding, but I would like to ask you one thing,” here, Kasumi looks you dead in the eye, “Please don't tell the others about this. My living conditions have no relevance to our overall mission, so they simply don't need to know. I do understand that you're not comfortable with lying, but...”

“But just don't talk about it?” you finish for her. She nods.

“I hope it won't be too much imposition for you,” taking a delicate sip of her tea, Kasumi lets out a low sigh. “I'm sorry, this must be a very boring place to visit,” she adds, “No television, no computer, nothing of that sort. We can talk a little, if you like, or you could head home. I won't hold a grudge if you'd rather not stay.”

>Thank you for showing me this, but it's best that I go
>How did you come to live here?
>Who are those tenants of yours, anyway?
>Let's talk... (Write in)
>Other

>>1806174
>>Who are those tenants of yours, anyway?

>>1806174
>>How did you come to live here?
>>Who are those tenants of yours, anyway?

>>1806174
... But what about your clothes? The perfume you bought earlier costs more than my entire wardrobe- including its contents!

>>1806174
>What happens if these tenants of yours get into some trouble?

>>1806174
>How did you come to live here?
>Who are those tenants of yours, anyway?
>Let's talk... (Write in)
"Hey try using your power on me again. I'm curious how much has changed."

>>1806174
>How did you come to live here?

>>1806186
Aye.
Maybe a little friendly joke "are you doing that 'second hand' thing to stay afloat?"

>>1806174
>How did you come to live here?
>Who are those tenants of yours, anyway?
>Let's talk... (Write in)
"Hey try using your power on me again. I'm curious how much has changed."

Taking a slow sip of your tea – it's good, as good as anything you'd get out of a high class cafe – you glance around the room again, trying to think of something to say. “So, uh, how did you end up living here?” you ask, “You said it was a shock, so I'm guessing you grew up somewhere...”

“Somewhere nicer than this?” Kasumi finishes, a smile playing around her lips, “Well, yes. I lived quite comfortably for a while. When my guardian was arrested, however, our old home was seized – sold, you see, to help pay back his “debt to society”. All very troublesome. I dare say that I would have been thrown in some kind of institution if I'd been found. Fortunately for my freedom, I wasn't home when the authorities came to seize the place. My guardian found the time to warn me, and I came here. His... safehouse. That's what he always called it.”

“And you've been living here ever since,” you murmur, “That's... that's harsh.”

“No pity, remember?” she warns you, “I've had more than enough time to get used to things. This is just the way things are. I have my freedom – that's fair compensation... even if I do have to make some questionable choices to maintain it.”

“Questionable choices like those tenants of yours, right?” you guess, “Who are they, anyway?”

“Well, there's no way of making this sound good,” Kasumi purses her lips in distaste, “They make drugs, as I'm sure you could have guessed by now.”

“Drugs?” yelping the word out, you feel your eyes widen, “You have drug dealers living in your basement?”

“Not exactly. They're not drug dealers,” she shakes her head, a wan smile forming on her lips as she corrects you, “They don't deal directly. It's more of a... a factory down there. They fabricate drugs, then hand them out to lower level dealers and...” Trailing off here, she shrugs to herself. “This isn't making it sound any better, is it?” she asks, “I know, I know. I really don't approve, but having them around makes things so much easier for me. It keeps the lights on, and I get a little bit of extra pocket money.”

“A little bit?” you repeat, eyeing up her outfit, “C'mon, what about that perfume you bought the other day? That must have costed more than my entire wardrobe!”

“I have other jobs,” she replies vaguely, evasively, “The money I get from them is just a little bonus, something that I keep for an emergency. I don't like to spent it if I can help it. Those few small luxuries I buy, I buy them with my own money - money that I've earned fairly.”

“With these jobs of yours,” you point out, “These odd jobs that you don't like to talk about. I'm not trying to sound suspicious, but...”

[1/2]

>>1806231

“My my, you're quite curious about this, aren't you?” Kasumi laughs, “If I said that I was a freelance counsellor, would you be satisfied with that? I talk to people – often people with rather serious problems – and I help them to feel better. Even before I gained this power, I was good at reading people and help to ease their burdens. I help them, and in return they give me gifts. I don't specifically ask, and I certainly don't demand, but there's a certain implicit agreement at work. A fair trade for our mutual benefit.”

“I... kind of get it,” you nod slowly, “You can help people overcome their problems.”

“Good lord no!” Kasumi laughs, “I help them deal with their problems. If they stopped having them, I'd be out of work!” Her smile fades slightly as she notices the look on your face. “It sounds cruel to say it like that, I know,” she admits, “But it's like I said before, I've had to make some questionable choices. It might be unsavoury, but it's kept me from having to earn a living in... any other ways.”

“I'm sorry, I guess... I don't really know much about this sort of thing,” you murmur, your stomach turning uneasily at her implications, “Hey, you gotta look after yourself, yeah?”

“Exactly. If it makes you feel any better, most of my “clients” know the situation, and they still happily go along with it. It wouldn't be the first time someone opens their wallet to spend a little time with an attractive young lady,” Kasumi takes a sip of tea, seemingly washing away any ill will, “Now where were we? Ah, we were talking about my tenants...”

“Yeah, right,” you nod quickly, glad to be moving on, “What do they make down there?”

“I'm not entirely sure. I don't ask too many questions. Let's see, what do I know...” frowning delicately, Kasumi taps a finger against her lips as she thinks. “They're a fairly small scale operation, we're not thinking in cartel terms. They have a machine down that does most of the work for them. Whatever they're making, they call it “Boost” or “Booster”. Some kind of stimulant, I believe. I've never really wanted to know more, and this isn't really something you can just casually look up in the library.”

“No,” a slight smile returns to your face as you agree, “I suppose you're right.”

“If you're that curious, you might try checking the ArkMedia archives. They have a rather significant collection of information there, gathered for use in their programs. It's open to the public, though,” Kasumi nods to herself, “Jodi mentioned it to me while you were napping. It sounds fascinating...”

“Well, uh, maybe I'll do that,” you shrug, “Searching for that kinda stuff seems like a pretty good way of ending up on a watchlist though...”

“We're probably on a few of those already,” Kasumi muses.

[2/3]

>>1806266

“I'm curious though,” you ask, “What if those tenants of yours end up getting in trouble with the law? I mean, won't that lead the police right to your doorstep?”

“True, it likely would,” she concedes the point with a slight tilt of her head, “I had to think long and hard before accepting their offer, weighing up the benefits against the potential dangers. I'm still not completely sure that I did the right thing, although I've never had any trouble – either from them directly, or any legal issues. I'll give them one thing, they certainly know how to fly under the radar.”

“It just... bothers me,” you murmur, “I feel like it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong.”

“Are you worried about me? I'm touched,” leaning forwards a little, Kasumi gives you a warm smile, “But I've made my decision. Whatever happens, I've got to live with the consequences. Shall we talk about something else? This is a rather dreary topic...”

“There was something,” you ask, “Could you... do your thing on me again? Work your magic, read my innermost feelings. I want to know if anything has changed since last time.”

Instead of answering, Kasumi moves around the table and kneels on the floor next to you, leaning in so that her eyes meet yours. A blue glow swirls up to fill her eyes and she purses her lips in concentration. “You have changed,” she murmurs, “That fear I saw last time has faded. It's barely a shadow now, but I can see... guilt. You still blame yourself for what happened to Hikari, don't you?”

A faint groan of dismay escapes you. “I didn't know you'd be able to read that much,” you mutter, “I guess you saw everything, didn't you?”

“I did, yes. I'm sorry,” Kasumi looks away, her eyes fading to their normal hue, “If it makes you feel any better, you've seen plenty of my dirty secrets as well. I'd consider us equal now. Suffice to say, I won't be sharing this with the others.” Turning back, she gives you a light and carefree smile. “I'd say that you're better now,” she adds, “Healthier, more... stable. A little bit of guilt is perfectly natural – it would be worse if you didn't have it!”

Relief washes over you as her words sink in. “I can see why people pay you for this,” you admit, “You know how to put someone at ease.”

“Very kind of you to say,” she smiles demurely, “I'll send you my bill.”

[3/4]

>>1806347

You talk for a while longer, chatting about less serious topics, and then Kasumi takes a pointed glance at the clock. “It's getting late,” she sighs, “I don't wish to imply that you'd be unsafe here, but it may be best to leave before it gets too late. This area can be a little... colourful at night.”

“Yeah, I was thinking of making a move,” you agree, nodding slowly, “Uh, Kasumi? Thanks for showing me this. It must have taken a lot of trust for you to bring me here.”

“Well...” Kasumi doesn't quite disagree with this, tilting her head in dignified acceptance. “It's actually a little nice to have someone else here,” she adds, “Rather like sharing a dirty secret with someone. You'll have to show me your home next time!”

“I'll see what I can do,” you laugh weakly.

-

Kasumi walks you halfway back, leaving you to your own devices once you've returned to more familiar territory. The sun is just starting to set and the usual vice district crowd is yet to fill the streets, leaving the city in a strange state of transition. Twilight, in more ways than one. Leaning against a wall, you take out your phone and glance down at the screen, idly scrolling through the various pages. Settling on Pietr's name, you pause.

>Call him up and arrange to meet
>Head straight home on your own
>Other

>>1806382
>Call him up and arrange to meet
Gotta see those cool new Sentinel powers.

>>1806382
>Call him up and arrange to meet

>>1806382
>Call him up and arrange to meet

>>1806391
He has lame powers though

>>1806406
To Karl, who wanted combat powers.

Pietr's powers have their own important uses.

File: Pietr.jpg (113 KB, 850x1269)

113 KB JPG

Nodding to yourself, you tap on Pietr's name. Listening to the muted sound of the phone ringing and ringing, you feel a vague unease swirling up from within you. For a moment, all you can think of is some sudden relapse, his inhuman partner rising up to swallow him even after-

“Hello?” the boy asks, “Miho?”

“Oh!” you blurt out, your dark thoughts bursting like a soap bubble, “Uh, hey. I was starting to get a little worried. You, uh, you weren't picking up, so...”

“I was taking a shower,” Pietr tells you, “I didn't hear the phone at first. I had to grab a towel and... uh, you'll have to excuse me. It's, ah, it's good to hear from you, Miho. Jun mentioned that he spoke with you. You were away on holiday, weren't you?”

It's strangely hard to carry on a telephone conversation when the other party is only wearing a towel. “Not exactly a holiday,” you correct him, “Why don't we meet up? I can give you the gory details in person. That, uh, that's not just a figure of speech by the way, things got a little messy over there.” Wincing at the lame joke, you shift the phone to your other ear. “Are you free now?” you ask, “We can meet up at the usual place.”

“Well, I'll need some time to get ready,” Pietr answers, “But I can meet up. Just give me... hmm, half an hour. The usual place works with me – I hope you've been practising!”

-

Despite the warm evening, Pietr is bundled up in a thick coat when he meets you at the arcade. His hair is still damp, sticking up in some places, and you have to fight back the urge to smooth it down. He probably wouldn't find it very amusing. When you approach, he gives you a long and probing look.

“You've changed,” he says, skipping past any introductions, “I can't say how, but you've definitely changed.”

“You're not the first person to tell me that today,” you answer him, “I guess you could say that I got some good news while I was away. I learned a few things about myself, and...” Trailing off, you give him a shrug. “Well, you know what holidays are like,” you finish, “A change of scenery can help you see things in a new way.”

“I see,” Pietr lies, a mild frown settling on his face as he studies you for a moment longer, “I think it's a change for the better.”

“So do I,” nodding, you gesture for the arcade, “Shall we?”

-

Stepping into the arcade, Pietr hesitates for a moment. No, it would be more accurate to say that he stumbles a little, almost losing his balance as the wave of light and sound crashes over him. When you reach out a hand to steady him, he waves you away.

“I wasn't expecting this place to be so...” he shakes his head, hands forming inarticulate gestures, “I'll be fine. No, I AM fine.”

You're not so sure about that.

[1/2]

>>1806466

Pietr leads the way to his machine of choice, and you can't help but study him whenever his attention is elsewhere. Maybe it's just the poor lighting but his skin almost seems to have a sickly shade to it, a faint sheen of sweat lending to the air of illness.

“Here we are,” he decides, “Hmm... first to five games?”

At least your humiliation won't be long and protracted. “Sounds good to me,” you agree, seizing your set of controls, “Let's get this show on the road.”

-

Pietr might look unwell, but it doesn't harm his performance... at first. He wins the first three games, although the last one of those is so close as to be little more than a coin toss. When you win the next two games, however, you start to wonder if he's toying with you, lulling you into a false sense of security before crushing you completely. A fleeting glance across at his face shatters that illusion – he's not playing nice. A mix of frustration and disorientation is spread across his face, his eyes slowly drifting in and out of focus.

When you take the last three games in a row, you know that something is wrong with him. Disgust darkens his features as he steps away from the machine, scowling at it as if to blame it for all his failings. In the gloom of the arcade, you only now realise that his eyes are glowing with a golden light.

“I don't-” he begins, only for those luminous eyes to roll back into his skull as he faints dead away. You catch him as he falls, holding on tight while his body shudders in the grip of a seizure. Around you, the crowds spare you a few passing glances before carrying on with their various games.

-

“I'm still not totally in control of it,” Pietr admits later, his voice hoarse. His faint had only lasted a few seconds – more of a swoon really – and so you didn't have to carry him upstairs to the cafe. Even so, you didn't let him walk without your support. “Karl says that I'll have to... to feed first. It's only after you feed for the first time that you can really control it. I know that I should feed, I really do. It's just...”

“Too much?” you ask quietly, “Or too soon? Or...”

“It feels like the point of no return,” he decides, snorting out a short and derisive laugh, “Even though that was a long time ago. It's just so... disgusting.”

“Eating an Intruder, you mean?” you shudder, “Yeah, not gonna disagree with you there. I'm glad that's not something I've got to deal with.” Looking down, you spot a faint tongue of black at his wrist, where his sleeve had rolled up. Noticing your glance, Pietr tugs the sleeve further down.

>This was a mistake, I'm sorry. I should go...
>What IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't combat related
>Can I help you with... feeding?
>You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know
>Other

>>1806579
>>You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know.

>>1806579
>>What IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't combat related

>>You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know

>>1806579
>>You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know
>What IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't combat related
>If you need me help, let me know. I don't want anything happening to a friend of mine.

>>1806579
>What IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't combat related
>Can I help you with... feeding?

“You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know,” you tell him, leaning across the table and lowering your voice, “I'm not going to throw up or run away screaming. Frankly, I've seen much worse things than a few overly excitable tattoos.” When Pietr doesn't answer, you pause a moment before continuing. “Shaw showed me hers,” you add lightly, “Butterflies, all down her arms. I thought they were pretty neat, actually.”

“I've seen those. She says she can make them do tricks, but I'm pretty sure she's just joking around,” a faint smile touches Pietr's lips, and he glances around at the cafe. It's quiet today, and you're the only two people around. Narrowing his eyes, Pietr unbuttons his coat and slides it off, rolling up his shirt sleeves to reveal the dancing, swirling ink. You stare down at the tattoos... and the tattoos stare back.

Eyes. Pietr's arms are covered with eyes, of all sorts and sizes. Some are narrowed into aggressive slits while others are wide and almost anime-esque, blinking slowly up at you. As your silence draws out, Pietr starts to look increasingly uncomfortable. You need to say something, anything, to break the awkward pause.

“Hey,” you scold weakly, “Are you winking at me?”

This causes a blurt of incredulous laughter to escape from Pietr, defusing the awkward mood. “Not deliberately!” he insists, “It just does that sometimes!”

“I don't know, that sounds like an excuse to me,” you continue, giving him a theatrical frown as he rolls his sleeves back down again. “Seriously though, they're not that bad,” you tell him, “They move about a lot more than I'd been expecting, that's all.”

“That should settle down as well, apparently,” Pietr nods slowly, “Once I'm... once I've got past the early days, they should only really move when I use my powers a lot, or when there's something... odd going on. Maybe that's why they're acting up, because you're around.” A sudden grimace fleets across his face as he replays those words in his head. “No offence,” he mutters, “I didn't mean anything by it...”

“I knew it, you WERE winking at me!” you laugh, pointing an accusing finger at him, “But seriously, what IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't anything combat related. He, uh, he wasn't very happy about it.”

“Don't remind me. He's been in a bad mood ever since... which is about normal, really,” sighing patiently, Pietr closes his eyes for a moment. “It's really quite hard to describe,” he ventures, “I can see... connections. The links between people and things. No, not quite that. It's... complicated.” When he opens his eyes once again, there is a frustration bubbling up within them.

[1/2]

>>1806579
>What IS your power? Karl said that it wasn't combat related
>Can I help you with... feeding?
>You don't have to hide your tattoos from me, you know

>>1806661

“Everything is connected these days,” he begins, “But some connections are stronger than others. Your phone, for example – right now, it's trying to connect to several different wireless networks and it's exchanging information with several others. Nothing serious – location data mostly. Uh, you might want to check your privacy settings later.”

“Thanks,” you sigh, “I'll keep that in mind.”

“But it's not just machines. I can see connections between people as well, like golden threads tying them together. Like...” he closes his eyes, and you see a faint golden glow building behind his lids, “There's a friend of yours here, the angry one. She's downstairs, playing Nuclear Tank. I could follow that thread right to her, like following a trail of breadcrumbs. Oh, she's leaving now – I guess she's not in the mood for games.”

“Emi? And you could just, what, follow her all the way home?” you ask, “That's some talent...”

“I'm more of a hunting hound than a hunter,” Pietr remarks with a wan smile, “Jun says he'll be able to find a use for me, but I think he's just being nice. I don't...”

“If you need help with anything, you just have to ask,” you offer, when he doesn't finish that thought, “I wouldn't want anything to happen to a friend. Like... this feeding thing, is there anything I can do to help with that?”

“Maybe there IS something,” Pietr admits, “Jun says that when one of them – one of US – needs to feed, they have Attwood help with subduing the Intruder. She's good at that. It's just, ah...” A faint colour builds in his cheeks as he mumbles something, his eyes breaking away from yours. You give him a quizzical look, and eventually he looks back up. “I said that she scares me, okay?” he blurts out, “The way she grins at me, it's like she's thinking about eating me alive!”

“Yeah, uh, I can't really blame you there. I've had my own problems with her in the past,” you wince at the memory, “She stabbed me in the back. Right in the spine!”

“She's awful, isn't she?” a nervous laugh escapes the boy as he nods eagerly, “So what I'm saying is, if Jun allows it, do you think you could...”

“Be your escort?” you finish. You make the offer glibly enough, but inside you're not so sure about it. Watching the Sentinels going about their rites and rituals always fills you with a profound sense of disgust, repulsion on an instinctual level. Would watching him consume an Intruder really be that much different?

“I'd have to ask Jun anyway,” Pietr speaks up, his words stilling your unease, “He'd probably be happy to allow it, if it means I'd get it over with. He's been putting on the pressure lately. Honestly, I hope your bosses aren't so pushy.”

Thinking of Kurosawa, you smile wearily. “He can have his moments,” you assure the boy.

[2/3]

>>1806751

Pietr laughs a little at that, although the chime of a phone – not yours, for once – cuts him short. Shooting you an apologetic look, Pietr rummages in his coat for his phone and then hurries a few paces away. Leaning back, you toy with your glass of soda as you watch his conversation, trying to gauge his body language. It's not terrible news, you guess, but it's far from a welcome call either.

“Sorry about this,” he mutters once the call is over, “I'm being called back. I wasn't, uh... technically speaking, I wasn't allowed to come out tonight. I shouldn't really be out at all, while I'm still...”

“Pietr,” you gasp in mock horror, “Did you sneak out to meet me here?”

“You've got an awfully high opinion of yourself,” he retorts, “Maybe I just felt like playing some games.”

“You're breaking my heart here, Pietr,” groaning, you flop back and stare at the ceiling, “So what, you're being dragged back now?”

“Yeah, there's someone coming over now,” Pietr sighs, “Although they're sending Ryuu, so... he won't be here for at least twenty minutes. So c'mon, you've got tell me about that holiday of yours. You promised me the gory details, and I'm going to hold you to that!”

“Jeez...” you chuckle, “Where do you want me to start?”

“It was on Neptune Island, wasn't it? I hear it has really nice beaches,” the boy pauses, narrowing his eyes slightly, “Did you get to go swimming?”

Of course his mind would jump straight to that...

-

As you give Pietr a severely condensed version of events, you walk back through the arcade until you arrive at the entrance. Exactly fifteen minutes after Pietr got his call, a car pulls up outside – a sport convertible, painted a flawless white and gleaming with polish. Ryuu Tanaka, his hair still tussled from the drive over, gives you both a sly look.

“If I'd known you were out on a date, boy, I would have given you some more time together,” he declares, laughing at his own joke.

“It's not like that...” Pietr mutters, colouring all the way to his ears.

“No? Then you won't mind if I ask the lady to dinner, will you?” Tanaka gives you a rakish smile, “What do you say? I'm a fantastic chef, I assure you. We're yet to really get to know one another, and we might end up fighting together one of these days. Why not come and join me? No strings attached, I promise you.”

“Dinner?” you ask incredulously, “You're offering to cook me dinner?”

“Exactly so,” Tanaka nods patiently, “What do you say?”

>I can't believe I'm doing this, but... okay, sure.
>Sorry, but I'll have to decline
>Other

>>1806854
Sure, but only if there's real meat.

>>1806854
>>I can't believe I'm doing this, but... okay, sure.

>>1806854
>I can't believe I'm doing this, but... okay, sure.

File: Yukaris-Gap-Open.gif (9 KB, 228x209)

9 KB GIF

>>1806661
Did Pietr obtain the GAP?

>>1806854
>I can't believe I'm doing this, but... okay, sure.

>>1806854
>we might end up fighting together one of these days.

Already did that. Though it was us going toe to toe with an Tyrant and him in the tower against a swarm

>>1806854

>I can't believe I'm doing this, but... okay, sure.

A silence draws out as you consider your answer, while Tanaka's smile only grows wider. It seems like the longer you wait, the more certain of his victory he becomes.

“This dinner...” you ask suspiciously, “Real meat?”

“Seafood, mostly, but as real as you or me,” he replies promptly, “I give you my word as a gentleman, I use only the finest ingredients – not a single morsel of insufficient quality is allowed in MY kitchen!” The way he says this is so flamboyant, so over the top, that you can't help but laugh aloud. As soon as that laugh escapes you, you know that he's won this round.

“I can't believe I'm doing this,” you groan, “But... okay, sure. You'd better put on a good show, though!”

“Your challenge has been accepted,” Tanaka shoots back, opening the passenger side door for you, “Hop in!”

“Hey, wait,” Pietr protests, “Am I in the back seat or what?”

-

Sitting in the passenger seat, with the wind whistling through your hair, you can't help but compare this to your experiences driving with Jun. Even when indulging himself, Jun maintained a kind of professionalism that Tanaka doesn't even bother to attempt. The tanned man gleefully ignores the speed limits, swerving between lanes at random and screaming past automated trucks. After dropping Pietr off with the rest of the Sentinels, he announced that he was going to take the scenic route back home.

Scenic route – you can barely pay any attention to the scenery at this speed, with everything whipping past you in a blur. Even so, and despite your best attempts at playing it cool, you feel yourself grinning along with him. There's something liberating about this, about plunging headlong into the night with no idea of where you might be headed. It's almost like being in free fall, all thoughts of hitting the ground blown away by the thrill of the moment.

Your journey ends in the outskirts of the city, at a surprisingly rustic looking house nestled within a small cluster of trees. As far as you can tell, it's the only house around – it's going to be just you and Tanaka.

“Here we are,” the flamboyant man announces, killing the engine and stepping out of his car, “Make yourself at home.”

>I'm going to pause here, continue things tomorrow. If anyone has any questions, I'll answer them as best I can
>Thanks to everyone who contributed today, and I apologise for the delays!

>>1806926
Thanks for running!

How long until we have to team up with Intruders to fend off an even bigger threat?

>>1806937

That may depend on what kind of threat we're talking about. AIs? Russians? Russian AIs?

>>1806976
AI Russians

>>1806976
A weapon to surpass metal gear!

>1806926
No! Fellow players what are we doing!?!@!

>>1806998
Taking a chance to snap up some real seafood.

>>1806976
Teen pregnancy

>>1806926
Thanks for running Moloch.

In a pinch can Zakuro's realm be used as a fast travel service?

Like could we go into her realm from Tanaka's house and then have her spit us out back in downtown ArkCity?

>>1807054
Nah, Miho and Pietr would stop at foreplay.

>>1807115

That would work, now that I think about it. We can create a portal to Zakuro, and Zakuro can create a portal back into the real world. I don't see any reason why she couldn't drop us out somewhere more specific. It might not be 100% precise, however - we'd likely emerge from a nearby reflective surface, rather than an exact spot.

>>1807166
Cool. It'll be useful for emergencies but we shouldn't make it a habit.

Might be a tad rude to just use Zakuro as a taxi service.

>>1807140
I meant Ayane and Maika

Reminder that Pietr is best boy.

File: Ryuu Tanaka.jpg (74 KB, 450x653)

74 KB JPG

“So tell me something,” you ask as you get out of the gleaming car, “Do you always drive like a maniac?”

“Not always,” Tanaka corrects you, “Only when I'm trying to show off.”

“Oh, right,” nodding sagely, you follow him up the gravel path towards his home, “So that's what, most of the time?” Tanaka just throws his head back and laughs at this, taking your jab in good humour. He seems like the type to take most things in good humour, everything from gentle mockery to actual physical violence. “It's a bit of a risky gamble though,” you add, “What if I lost all my appetite on the drive over?”

“You'd get it back soon enough,” he promises, unlocking the front door and waving you inside. His house has a strange feel to it, more like a log cabin than anything modern and conventional, but the overall impression is strangely quaint. Comfortable enough, with plenty of rugs whispering underfoot after you leave your shoes by the door. You half expect to see a bearskin rug and a grand fireplace further inside, although you're disappointed on that count.

Instead of any of that, Ryuu Tanaka has a large display of swords – Japanese swords, Western swords, even a few exotic Arab blades. Your cool façade falters for a moment as you gasp out in wonder, only for you to feel your cheeks heating up as Tanaka laughs. Ignoring him as best as you can, you approach to take a closer look at a particular katana.

“You have a good eye,” he remarks, taking the sword down from its mounting and offering it to you, “You like swords?”

“They're okay, I guess,” you mutter, shrugging with deliberate nonchalance, “I'm guessing these are the real deal. I've got a friend with a good eye for fakes, and she wasn't too impressed by some of the weapons your lot were showing off.”

“Only the genuine article here,” Tanaka assures you, returning the blade to its mount, “Now then, I'd better see about dinner. An assortment of tapas to start, with seafood paella for a main course. You're not allergic to shrimp, are you?”

The sudden change in track – from swords to seafood – leaves you stunned for a moment, fumbling for something to say. In the end you just nod, leaving Tanaka to chuckle to himself as he strolls off into the kitchen. While he prepares the meal, you wander back into the lobby and start examining things at random – making yourself at home, in other words. This is the second unfamiliar home you've visited today, and probably the nicer of the two.

Other than the display of swords, though, the whole place feels strangely impersonal – something tailored to convey an image, like Kasumi's decorative wall scaled up to an entire house.

[1/2]

>>1808907

As you're studying a watercolour hanging on the wall – some old coastal fort, all white stone and spreading ivy – you hear Tanaka calling your name. His dining room is a faintly worrying thing to behold, with various hunting trophies hanging on the wall – stag heads, wolf skulls and even a few stuffed birds. Looking away from the unsettling collection, you feast your eyes on the start of your meal, nearly a dozen different dishes laid out more or less at random. As you sit, Tanaka launches into a florid explanation of each dish.

Simply put, it all goes in one ear and out the other. Most of the names are in Spanish, while the descriptions are laid out so quickly that you barely have a chance to process them before he moves onto something else. When he's finished his lecture, Tanaka sits back with an expectant smile, waiting for your next move. Feeling vaguely helpless, you pick something at random and pop it into your mouth, chewing gamely. It's... good, seasoned meat with the perfect amount of bite to it, not too rubbery.

“I liked that one,” you decide, “What was it again?”

“Chopitos,” Tanaka explains with a flourish, “Tiny squid, battered and fried to perfection!”

“Squid,” you repeat, suddenly feeling queasy. All those tentacles... they make you think of Zakuro, and that doesn't really help your appetite.

-

Tanaka leaves you to freely pick at the tapas as he returns to the kitchen, putting the finishing touches to the main meal. It's an unusually relaxed approach to dining, but also exactly the sort of thing you've come to expect from him - unstructured, unhurried and generally casual. Switching between picking at random dishes and wandering his house, you wait for Tanaka to arrive with the main course.

When it does, you'll admit to being impressed. A deep dish of colourful rice, mixed with shrimp, lobster and mussels, all deliciously scented. He even pairs it with a small glass of wine – a rioja red, whatever that means.

“So,” Tanaka announces as you dig in, “You seem quite close to young Pietr. Just a budding friendship, or...”

“I suppose I feel a little protective of him,” you decide, giving him a measured look, “He needs someone to have his back. Someone who isn't wrapped up in Sentinel business.”

“And you've decided that you'll be that person,” Tanaka muses, “Very noble of you.” Taking a sip of wine, he meets your gaze with a more sardonic look. “I don't doubt that he's in good hands. You were there for his initiation, weren't you? Very unconventional...” he shrugs, “You next. Ask ME something.”

>Did you really just invite me here for seafood?
>Where do you stand on this Monad business? Are you a believer?
>What do you think of your colleagues?
>Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?
>Other

>>1808908
>Other
"Is inviting highschool girls to your house for dinner something you do often?"

"But seriously"
>Where do you stand on this Monad business? Are you a believer?

>>1808908
>Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?

>>1808908
>Where do you stand on this Monad business? Are you a believer?

Frowning in thought, you swallow another mouthful of rice and point your fork at Tanaka. “So, is inviting high school girls to dinner something you do often?” you ask, smiling faintly to soften the accusation in your question.

“Only in special cases. Most of the time, I go for a slightly older selection,” he retorts, returning your smile with one of his own, “And we tend to skip straight past dinner.”

“You're laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?” you laugh, shaking your head in weary amusement, “But seriously, I did want to ask you something. This whole Monad business... I'm curious about where you stand on it. Are you a believer?”

“A believer in what?” Tanaka counters, “I believe that Monad exists, and I believe that it's powerful. That is more than enough for me – I'm content to leave the deeper questions to others. This grand “golden path” they speak of is the same thing, I couldn't even begin to guess where it leads. I don't think I'd want to know.” Tasting his wine, a sour look crosses his face. “I find this business of steering mankind to be distasteful,” he adds, with the tone of a grave admission, “Men weren't meant to be domesticated like that.”

“Interesting answer. I'll admit, I can't quite see why you're following the Sentinels with an attitude like that,” giving him a quizzical look, you prod at your food, “Why don't you tell me a little about yourself? It might help me understand you a little better.”

“My favourite subject,” Tanaka chuckles, “But first, you answer me something. You asked me about Monad, so now I'll ask you the same – as an outsider, what do YOU think about it?”

Stalling for time, you shovel a large portion of paella into your mouth and chew slowly, considering your answer carefully. “I'm keeping my options open at the moment,” you offer at last, “I have a few theories, but I'm waiting for some convincing evidence. Hell, I've never even spoken with this Monad!”

“I have,” the tanned man says, nodding to himself, “But only once.” Taking another drink of wine, he chooses his next words with an uncommon care. “It wasn't long after I first arrived here, in this city. I forget how long ago that was – a few years. I was asked to give a report to the Council of Twelve, a drab and routine bit of business. When the meeting ended, Monad spoke to me. It listed details about my life, a great list of places that I had visited and people that I had met. It knew me better than I knew myself.”

“AIs have access to that kind of information,” you point out, “That doesn't necessarily prove anything.”

“Oh, I knew that, even at the time,” Tanaka concedes the point with a nod, “But it wasn't what it said that mattered, it was how it FELT to me. I felt... something greater than myself. I've never felt anything like that since.”

[1/2]

>>1808908
>What do you think of your colleagues?
I feel like this is the best possible segue.

>>1808927

“In either case, that was it. Monad laid out my life before me and told me that it had all been a prelude, a tedious but necessary introduction,” this causes Tanaka to laugh again, although there is little humour in it, “I can't say that I liked that very much. As far as I'M concerned, my life has been anything but tedious!”

“And that's why I'd like to hear about it,” you press, “You going to answer my question now?”

“I suppose so,” sighing theatrically, Tanaka empties his glass in a single mouthful and claps his hands briskly together. “Where to start? I wasn't born here, I was born and raised in Europe – Spain, actually. The war was over, but things were still tough. As soon as I was a man, I joined a militia to earn my fortune. I was never cut out for a peaceful job, but fighting for a living? That suited me quite nicely.”

“You were a mercenary,” you state, hesitating for a moment before quietly adding, “Did you enjoy it?”

“Absolutely!” Tanaka gives you a bright grin, “There's no shame in enjoying it. It's the most honest way of life there is!”

“So that's why you're with the Sentinels, right?” you guess, “To fight.”

“If you want to be blunt about it, certainly,” he spreads his hands wide, “The money is good, and they need people who can fight like I can. Even when I was fighting people, there could be times of peace and stability – times when I'd have no work. There will always be more, ah, Intruders, though. That's your name for them, correct?”

“Intruders, yeah,” nodding, you take a tiny sip of your own wine, “Not exactly scientific, but it's less of a mouthful than whatever you guys have come up with.”

“Very true, very true,” Tanaka chuckles, “My esteemed colleagues are, I would say, a little TOO obsessed on keeping things neat and tidy. I don't really see the point, but then... we often have differences in opinion.”

“No kidding,” this brings a smile to your face, “What do you think of them? Your colleagues, I mean.”

“Ah, not so fast!” Tanaka waves a scolding finger at you, “Hmm, let me see... You like fighting too, don't you? Go on, you can admit it.”

“It's not as simple as that,” you grunt, “I enjoy the honesty of it. When I'm fighting an Intruder, I know where I stand. When I'm messing around with... people and politics, things are never so clear cut. It's nice to have a problem that I can solve by punching it in the face.”

“Refreshingly put!” the Sentinel laughs, “And when you say “people”, I assume you mean us. Well, I can hardly blame you there – there's a reason why I like to live all the way out here, away from the city. It discourages casual visitors. But let me think, where to start with that den of vipers...”

[2/3]

>>1808953

“Why not start with Jun?” you press, “He seems like... I don't know, like he calls the shots, right?”

“He does, when the council isn't pulling our strings directly. Officially, he doesn't hold any rank over us, but nobody questions it. He's better at organising things than any of us. I think he actually enjoys it!” shuddering in mock horror, Tanaka refills his glass with the dark red wine, “He won't come out and say it, but he's got his eye on a seat on the council. I don't know if it's for ambition or idealism, though.”

“I couldn't really say,” you offer lamely, “What about Karl? No offence, but I can't really imagine you two getting along very well...”

“Very true. That stick he so proudly wears up his ass doesn't allow for much common ground,” Tanaka shrugs, “Believe it or not, there was a time when he was a little more relaxed. He actually had fun every now and again. He would hate me for saying that, though – which is exactly why I'm telling you this.”

No matter how hard you try, you can't really imagine Karl having fun. “So what happened?” you ask, “I mean, did something change?”

“Something to do with Crow. She hurt him pretty badly, but I don't have the full story,” a scowl – almost a pout – fleets across Tanaka's face as he says this. “Do tell me if you ever find out,” he adds, “I'd love the details.”

“I'll keep that in mind,” you wince, remembering the scar down Karl's collarbone, “What about her? Crow, I mean.”

“We have an arrangement,” Tanaka rubs his hands together in amusement, “I stay away from her, she stays away from me. Mutually agreeable, that's what I'd call it.”

“Yeah, that's how I'd prefer to keep things as well,” glancing down at your plate, you shove around the remnants of the meal. “Well, I'm full,” you decide, “I'll give you this, it was as good as you promised.”

“My grandfather taught me to cook,” an unusually solemn look crosses Tanaka's face as he says this, and he pats his chest almost by reflex. The look vanishes quickly as he looks up, giving you a rakish smile. “Are you SURE that you're full?” he asks coyly, “I might just have some sorbet tucked away somewhere... if you felt like giving me the pleasure of your company for a while longer.”

Not the most elegant way of changing the subject that you've ever heard. Glancing aside to a clock, you're surprised at how late it's become – there isn't much “today” left.

>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually
>I suppose I could stay a little while longer
>I'd rather we just talked some more... (Write in)
>Other

>>1808987
>I suppose I could stay a little while longer

Hell yeah sorbet
get some lemon flavor

>>1808987
You're actually pretty nice to be around, but
>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually

>>1808987
>>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually
"I may punch Intruders on the face when I free time but this girl still has school in the morning and a mother who would kill me if she knew where I was."

>>1808987
>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually

>>1808987
>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually
Alas, the inconveniences of youth, such as questioning parents and threats of curfew.

>>1808987
>>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually

>>1808987
>I'm quite full, and it's quite late. About time I was getting home, actually
We only came for the real seafood, man. Sorry.

Taking another glance at the clock, you let out a faint sigh. “Hey, this has been fun and all,” you tell Tanaka, “But I'm pretty full, and it's pretty late. I might punch Intruders in my spare time, but I've also got school tomorrow and I can't just skip out on it.”

“Really?” Tanaka raises an eyebrow, “And why not?”

“It's a little thing called responsibility,” you explain, “Ask Jun to explain it to you one of these days.” Rising from the table, you bow slightly to him. “Besides, I've got other concerns,” you add, “Like a mother who would absolutely kill me if she knew where I was. She'd probably kill you as well, come to think of it.”

“She sounds like my kind of woman,” the Sentinel remarks with a throaty chuckle.

“Uh, yeah, could you do me a favour and never say that again?” you plead, “I'd really appreciate it.”

-

The drive back into Ark City seems much shorter than the drive out, and you realise just how out of the way Tanaka's “scenic route” had been. He practically drove a circuit of the entire city before whisking you away to his remote home, all to show off his admittedly impressive car. When you start to approach your apartment building, you tell him to pull up and let you out early – it's totally illogical, you know that, but you still don't like having the Sentinels pulling up right at your doorstep.

“You know, you're pretty fun to be around,” you admit as you're getting out of the car, “This wasn't a terrible evening.”

“You're too kind,” Tanaka shoots back, “Maybe next time, I'll manage to meet your exceedingly high standards.”

“Next time? That's a bit presumptuous,” slamming the car door, you look Tanaka in the eye, “But seriously, it was nice. I don't often get the chance to do stuff like this. Normal people stuff. So... thanks.”

Wordlessly saluting you, Tanaka drives off with a faint grin on his face.

-

When you arrive back home, Yui is waiting up for you. After your meal with Tanaka, the glass of red wine she holds seems to add a surreal touch to the seen – almost a subtle warning, a way of saying “I know what you've been doing.”

Or maybe you're just getting paranoid.

“So you're back,” she greets you, the usual note of cool amusement in her voice, “There's something I wanted to talk to you about. Sit down.”

Smiling nervously, you sit opposite her. “Is it bad news?” you ask, “I mean, should I be preparing myself for the worst?”

“No, it's not bad news. It's-” Yui pauses, sniffing the air, “Have you been drinking wine?”

“Me?” looking as innocent as possible, you shake your head, “Nope.”

Yui just frowns at that, far from convinced but disinclined to pursue the matter any further.

[1/2]

In before dad has been relocated to a secure, isolated nuclear bunker for his own protection

>>1809050

“Well, as I was saying, it's not bad news. Today, I got a call from an old school friend. She's getting married next week, in Kyoto, and she invited me along. It's short notice, I know – that's just the sort of person that she is – but I accepted her invitation,” Yui explains, “Simply put, I'm going to be away for a significant portion of next week. I've asked your father to put in a request for some time off, but I'm still waiting to hear back from him. There's a good chance that you'll be on your own.”

“Okay...” you pause, “I'll be fine on my own. I mean, you don't need to worry about me.”

“I'm more worried about this place,” she corrects you, a thin smile touching her lips, “I won't need to worry about you burning the building down or throwing any wild parties, will I?”

“Oh, right,” shrugging, you give her a more confident smile, “No, you can trust me on this one. I'll keep my wild parties well away from here, I promise.” When her eyes narrow into cold slits, you find yourself yelping. “Just kidding!” you hasten to add, “I'm just kidding!”

Again, Yui doesn't look entirely convinced – but then, she never really does.

-

School is surprisingly quiet the next day, and also strangely lonely – Ayane and Maika are both absent with no explanation given. Chances are, they're both cutting class, although probably for very different reasons. Either way, it adds up to a pretty boring day for you.

When your classes end for the day, you're left with a blank slate. You could always visit the ArkMedia archives like Kasumi mentioned, although you're not sure what you might find there. Then again, you don't have much else to do today...

>Head to the shrine and see if anyone else is there
>Visit the archives and do a little research
>Spend the day on something else... (Write in)
>Other

>>1809095
>Visit the archives and do a little research

>>1809095
Test if VR helmets will work on Kurosawa. If they do, the face to face with Asmodeus will be a cinch

>>1809095
>Call Ayane and Maika, ask how theyr'e doing

>>1809095
>Other
Call Fujiwara and have her meet you at Oracle's place.

I feel like all need a chat.

>>1809106
I feel like we* all need a chat

Maybe Kurosawa too. Wonder if Oracle can see him if it's an intermediary for Monad.

>>1809095
>do homework
>Visit the archives and do a little research

>>1809100
They don't make VR helmets for cats.

>>1809109
I don't see why it's such a big issue that they can't see or hear him, when we can relay his words. Sure, we can't prove he's actually there, but I think the fact that we have magical powers is proof we're not making everything up.

>>1809136
You misunderstand. I'm just curious if Oracle can see him cause if it does it'll give some insight on what it is.

Strolling across to a bench, you settle down and pull out your phone. You've got some calls to make before you can decide your first move. Ayane first – you just hope you're not interrupting anything.

“Huh, Miho?” Ayane answers, picking up after a long pause, “What's up?”

“You missed school today,” you point out, “I thought I'd be a good friend and check up on you, make sure you're not feeling ill or anything.”

“Oh right, sure. No, I'm fine. Just a little, uh, busy,” there is a short pause, and you dimly hear someone else talking in the background. A male voice, which comes as absolutely no surprise at all. “C'mon, we're saving the world, haven't we earned a few days off now and again?” Ayane adds, “We've got to take some personal time to maintain our Emotional Barriers, right? Kurosawa would definitely agree with me.”

“Well, maybe,” you admit, “How's Shiori doing?”

“She's talking again, as much as she ever really talks,” Ayane pauses again, “Hey, uh, I'm not trying to be rude or anything...”

“Got it,” you chuckle, “I'll let the two of you get back to whatever you were doing. Stay safe, yeah?” You end the call in the midst of Ayane's groan of dismay, still laughing to yourself as you pick out Maika's number. She picks up straight away, a sharp contrast to Ayane's more... distracted reaction.

“Kanzaki,” she answers briskly, “Oh, Miho. I apologise, I didn't realise it was you. I'm sorry, I've been really quite busy today – Father asked me to take a look at some schematics and build them up. It's like a... a game.”

“Sounds like you're spending a bit more time together,” you reply cautiously, “That's... good. I think.”

“It IS good,” Maika confirms, “I think he was impressed with the way I handled things at Neptune Island – the business side of things, to clarify, not... anything else. In either case, he's been home a little more often since then. I... excuse me, you didn't call to hear about my family life, did you?”

“I was just wondering about you,” you answer, “Since you missed school and all. I guess you had a good reason for it. I'll not keep you from your, uh, game. Oh wait, there was one last thing – do you have Doctor Fujiwara's number? I don't think I have it on me...”

Maika sounds surprised – but faintly glad – as she recites the number to you. Thanking her, you hang up and tap it in, hesitating for a moment before calling. The phone rings for a long time before anyone picks up.

“Yes, hello? Who is this?” Fujiwara answers hastily, “I'm not buying anything, if-”

“Doctor Fujiwara? It's me, Miho. Miho Tsukada,” you reply quickly, cutting her off, “I think... I think we need to meet up. Are you free now?”

“Not... exactly,” she answers, muttering to herself before continuing, “But I have a hole in my schedule later. Um, this evening perhaps?”

[1/2]

File: REI.jpg (368 KB, 1080x1080)

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>>1809149

“That could work,” you reply, “I'd like to talk to you about the Oracle. Can you meet me at the chapel?”

“Oh, I see. Yes, that would be possible. Say, eight o'clock?” Fujiwara's voice lightens, “I've not had the chance to visit the chapel for a few days, it'll be nice to visit her in person. Uh, well, so to speak. This isn't entirely a social call, is it?”

“More business than pleasure,” you confirm, “But we're better off talking in person. I'll see you at eight.” Ending the call, you sit back and let out a sigh. You're not exactly looking forwards to this, but it feels like a conversation that you need to have. Until then, though, you've got the rest of the afternoon to kill. Maybe you'll check out those archives after all.

-

You hadn't been quite sure what to imagine – either a dusty old library or a sleek room full of computers – but the archives are faintly disappointing. With several rows of cubicles and not much else, it could be a regular office or the information centre from your hotel at Neptune Island. At least it's free and open to the public, so nobody looks twice at you as you stroll in and settle down at a computer. Some of the computers are set up for VR, but you steer clear of those ones. Instead, you pull on a pair of old fashioned headphones.

[Welcome to the ArkMedia archives,] a cool voice – fluid, but utterly emotionless - greets you, [My name is REI. How may I assist you today?]

“Oh,” you hadn't been expecting an AI, “Hello REI. How are you today?”

[I am sorry, I do not understand your query,] the AI replies, [How may I assist you today?]

You're too used to talking to AIs like SAE or EVE, you forgot that REI had been... limited in certain ways. Taking a moment to gather your thoughts, you speak up. “Search. Keywords: boost, booster, drugs.”

[Searching,] REI replies, [Boost – a colloquial term for the cyber-drug Accela, also known as Boost, Booster, Accelerator, Fast Forward and several other informal names. A stimulant believed to heighten focus and awareness as well as altering the perception of time through the secretion of certain neurotransmitters. First created by Kasper Yu. Would you like to know more?]

“Kasper Yu?” you mutter, “That name sounds vaguely familiar...”

[Kasper Yu, former employee of Renko Biotech and expert in nootropics,] the AI obediently explains, [After leaving Renko Biotech under confidential circumstances, he founded Accela Industries to produce a new product, the first of what Yu termed “cyber-drugs”. Production ceased after Renko Biotech sued, citing numerous patents that Yu was supposedly infringing upon. Following the closure of Accela Industries, Yu disappeared from the public eye. Current status unknown.]

[2/3]

>>1809185
We should probably forward all relevant data to Kasumi when we are done here. Just to keep her aware.

>>1809203
Actually, I don't think she'd be entirely concerned nor care. Might come off wrong.

>>1809203
She didn't want to talk about it and she doesn't want to know more.

>>1809185

[Sale, production and possession of Accela are all banned under current Ark City legislation,] REI continues, [Side-effects are known to include addiction, cardiac irregularities, and numerous mental issues including cyber-psychosis. Archive footage of Kasper Yu has been found. Would you like to know more?]

“Uh, sure,” you murmur, “Go ahead and show me.” As you say this, a window appears on the computer screen, displaying the image of a man who you presume to be Kasper Yu. Ethnically ambiguous, he has a wild crop of hair and wide eyes. When the video plays, he launches into a rant.

“Renko, they... they were selling to a high class market. I worked on their nootropic project, helping the rich and powerful to think better, to BE better than the common man. So I thought... I thought why not put it in a pill? Well, a gel capsule anyway. Accela is cheap, I can make it on a 3D printer,” he rambles, “I'm not going to sell the drug, I'm going to give it away – the license for it. I'm giving back to the people...”

[That footage was recorded shortly before the closure of Accela Industries,] REI explains, [Yu was believed to be in the midst of cyber-psychosis at the time, caused by the use of Accela.]

“Shit...” you fumble your bag open, taking out a notepad and pen to jot down some notes, “REI, go back. Start over.”

-

By the time you've finished writing down the notes, your mind whirls with crazy ideas. Accela isn't really a drug at all, more like a tiny computer chip that the body absorbs. “No wonder Yu went mad,” you mutter as you put away your notes, “If this is what he was dealing with.”

“I don't understand you people,” a gruff voice announces, Kurosawa appearing on the desk beside you, “Taking these substances. All they do is cloud your senses and lead you away from a virtuous life.”

“Hey, don't ask me,” you murmur back, “I don't mess around with this stuff. I'm just doing some digging. Want to help? I don't know if they make a VR helmet in your size, though...”

“It would be pointless, even if they did,” Kurosawa says stiffly, “I do not possess a physical form, as you understand it. I would not be able to wear a helmet like that.”

“Aw man,” you sigh, “Does that mean I won't be able to stick you in one of those cat costumes?”

Kurosawa doesn't even dignify that with an answer. He just flickers out of sight, leaving someone else to call your name. “Oh, Miho, it WAS you,” Jodi Nakamura says as she approaches, “I didn't think I'd see you here. Doing some schoolwork, are you?”

“Independent study, I guess you'd call it,” you reply with a shrug, “You know me, I like to keep informed.”

[3/4]

>>1809230

“Well, good for you. Never stop asking the difficult questions!” Jodi nods, giving you a wink of approval, “As for me, I'm here to dig up some archive footage. I'm sure that Doctor Zhu guy appeared on some older documentary, it'll be good to throw in some older footage of him for context. Honestly, some days it seems like I spend more time picking through old footage than filming new material...” She sighs at this, giving you a wistful smile at the same time. She wouldn't change it for the world, her smile seems to say.

“Doesn't seem all that glamorous,” you admit, “Compared with the on-location stuff, I mean.”

“No, true, but that's just a fact of life,” Jodi shrugs, “We can't always be having exciting adventures. Why, I'd get grey hair if every day was dramatic!”

Joining her in laughing quietly, you glance back to the computer screen, Kasper Yu's lunatic features still frozen in place.

>Well, I'd better get going. It was good seeing you again, Jodi
>So how's the documentary shaping up?
>You ever hear anything about this Yu guy?
>Other

>>1809244
>So how's the documentary shaping up?
>You ever hear anything about this Yu guy?

>>1809244
>So how's the documentary shaping up?
>You ever hear anything about this Yu guy?

>>1809244
>So how's the documentary shaping up?
>You ever hear anything about this Yu guy?

>I met Zhu before, at that dreary swamp lab. He must've been constipated, throughout the whole tour all he did was tell us we were wasting his time and that he'd love to throw us out. After EVE interrupted the facility's power he made good on his promise. He was lying through his teeth by the way, it wasn't a harmless power outage or whatever he said it was.

>>1809244
>So how's the documentary shaping up?
>You ever hear anything about this Yu guy?

File: Jodi Nakamura.jpg (401 KB, 800x1200)

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“So, how's that documentary shaping up?” you ask after a moment, sensing that Jodi dearly wants to talk about it, “You putting our footage to good use?”

“Oh absolutely, it's looking good so far. That whole “murder” thing gave me lots to work with,” she nods eagerly, “I'm thinking of using that as the core of the whole film, building everything up around it. That business with the Spider unit was dramatic, sure, but it was but too impersonal. That footage you got of the immediate aftermath... oh wow, that's going to raise a few eyebrows. Hey, this stuff hasn't reached the mass media yet, but Miller have the inside track. Listen close, okay? Don't share this with anyone!”

“Just between you and me, got it,” you nod, pulling your chair a little closer, “So what's the news?”

“Well, the suspect – can't release a name yet, unfortunately – was mad. Totally crazy. Delusions, hallucinations, frequent blackouts and memory loss... They've tested him as well, the medics agree. Whole sections of his brain were just... burned out,” Jodi shudders, although you can't tell if it's from excitement or disgust, “So, he'll probably get off with an insanity plea. Say, you know how I mentioned Doctor Zhu? Doctor Hai Qiang Zhu?”

“Yeah, I've met him before. Pretty unpleasant guy,” you scowl at the memory, “It was a school trip, we were visiting this dreary lab out in the swamps. The, uh, the Mizuhashi Reserve. All the time, he acted like we were wasting his time, like he wanted nothing better than to throw us out. He got his chance eventually – EVE caused some kind of... I don't know, she crashed their systems or something.” Pausing here, you realise that Jodi is taking careful mental notes. “They covered it up as a power outage though,” you finish, “But that was a total lie. He's a pretty nasty character though. Good material for your documentary.”

“He sounds like it!” Jodi's eyes sparkle, “Of course, it would be unprofessional of me to make him out to be some pantomime villain, but... it might add a little spice. I've got this theory in the works. You know his full name?”

“Yeah?” you pause, “Oh, the guy who died was called Qiang as well, wasn't he?”

“Good memory, Miho,” she winks, “I'm wondering if it was all a case of mistaken identity. That, combined with his brain problems... it's all shaping up to be quite the drama!”

Her sheer enthusiasm for what you still think of as a rather unpleasant affair causes you to wince, glancing away to the computer screen. “You ever hear anything about this?” you ask her, “This Yu guy?”

[1/2]

>>1809307
>Totally crazy. Delusions, hallucinations, frequent blackouts and memory loss... They've tested him as well, the medics agree. Whole sections of his brain were just... burned out,”

Sounds like Booster abuse. I wonder if Yu is connected to our friendly eco terrorists.

>>1809307

“Yu? Oh, Kasper Yu?” Jodi pulls the keyboard closer and starts pecking away at it, “There's a fair bit of juicy gossip floating around out there, but you won't find it with a search like that. REI only likes to pull up confirmed facts and details, you need to dig for the good stuff. A few months back, maybe last year, I found this bit of footage. I can't confirm that it IS Yu, but I'm pretty sure it is. Here we go!”

The image of Yu vanishes, only to be replaced by a new picture. This time, the man has a thick, straggly beard covering much of his face, while his eyes – the same wide eyes as Yu had – are bloodshot. His skin is sickly, blotchy and glistening with sweat, while his expression is haunted.

“...That's when I realised what we were doing,” he hisses, his voice a hoarse whisper, “We weren't just making people better at Renko, we were making better people. We were growing people, growing our own replacements! Oh, they'd be slaves at first, but... but they'd take over soon enough. They always do!” The man runs a hand across his face, his eyes flashing back and forth. “I heard a voice. The voice of the earth,” he groans, “We've made so many mistakes. We've blasphemed. Maybe it's too late, but I... I have to do something about it. Maybe I can make this right!”

When the clip ends, Jodi gives you a mysterious smile. “That clip surfaced on a South American TV network, on a bootleg channel. Nothing since, nothing that we've been able to find at least. No way of knowing precisely when it was filmed, no way of even being sure that is IS Yu,” she chuckles, “A bit of a mystery in certain circles. Pretty neat, don't you think?”

This time, you're the one who shudders. The sheer desperation in the man's voice is still with you, pressing down on you like a phantom weight.

“Anyway, I'd better get back to work,” Jodi decides, rising from her seat, “Good luck with that independent study of yours!”

-

After wasting a little more time at the archives, searching up random subjects and glancing over them without taking anything in, you decide that you've learned as much as you're going to. That clip of Yu – or whoever it was – still nags at the back of your mind. Sighing, you pack away your things and head out of the archives. You've still got some time before meeting up with Fujiwara, so you can grab a quick meal or something – anything to help clear your thoughts.

A light rain has started to fall when you leave, dampening the concrete underfoot as you head for the vice district. By the time you arrive at the chapel, it's grown heavier still. Even so, you take a cautious look around before entering the chapel.

Just for a moment, you felt like you were being watched.

[2/3]

Called that shit. There had to be a reason why they were always focused on Renko and I think we may have found it.

>>1809350
Ugh that watched feeling. Is it an Oracle thing or a Crow thing? Maybe we should try calling out to Crow, saying we know she's there or something.

>>1809391
Maybe it's Monad.

File: Sionann Attwood.jpg (989 KB, 1080x1080)

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>>1809350

The chapel feels as solemn as your first visit, with the Oracle's bulky silhouette rising up from behind a film of gauzy curtains. The smell of incense soothes your nerves, calming your thoughts as you settle down into a pew to wait. Even with the incense, you can't relax completely – that eerie feeling of being watched remains. “Is someone there?” you whisper, raising your voice before adding, “Crow?”

“Don't make a bloody fuss,” a soft voice answers you from nearby, “I'm just here as a guard. I won't cause any trouble.” Turning in the pew, you see Sionann sitting at the back of the chapel. She waves at you, giving you a rather bored greeting. Before you can talk more – or start a fight – the chapel door creaks open.

-

“Awful weather today,” Doctor Fujiwara complains, “I suppose this is what people mean when they talk about summer storms. Awful!” Hanging her raincoat by the door, she hurries up to join you, sitting in the opposite pew and busying herself with a silver flask. “Would you like some coffee?” she asks, pouring out a cup for herself, “It's still good and hot. Sionann, would you like some as well?”

“None for me,” the assassin replies in a sour voice, “...But thanks.”

“I'm fine,” you assure her. Kurosawa stalks out of the shadows and glares at the doctor for a moment, glancing around at you.

“She reeks of Intruder,” he says curtly, “It is entwined with her very essence. A wicked thing to behold.”

[You,] the Oracle declares sharply, her synthesised voice ringing out through the chapel, [Reveal yourself.]

A faint crackle of discharging energy shudders through the entire chapel, causing both you and Fujiwara to flinch. Even Kurosawa yelps out in pain, a ripple of static coursing across his body. The moment passes quickly, and then you realise something – Fujiwara is staring right at Kurosawa.

“A... cat?” she murmurs, “A stray cat?”

“I am no stray, you walking blasphemy!” Kurosawa snaps back.

“What?” Fujiwara cries, “I'm no blasphemy! You... wait, you just spoke!”

[Fallen god of Duty,] the Oracle intones, [Monad has commanded you to unmask. Now we may speak as equals.] You all fall silent, everyone turning to face the metal cylinder. [Miho Tsukada, Heavenly Child,] she continues, [This is neutral ground. There will be no conflict here. Now – say what you have come here to say.]

>You could have stopped the incident four months ago, but you didn't. Why?
>Who am I speaking to? Monad, or the Oracle?
>Monad and the native gods are one and the same, aren't they?
>Here's what I came here to say... (Write in)
>Other

>>1809438
> Well you're definitely rude enough to be a God.

> You could have stopped the incident four months ago, but you didn't. Why?

>>1809438
>You could have stopped the incident four months ago, but you didn't. Why?
>Who am I speaking to? Monad, or the Oracle?
>Monad and the native gods are one and the same, aren't they?

>>1809438
>You could have stopped the incident four months ago, but you didn't. Why?
"You don't make mistakes huh?"
>Who am I speaking to? Monad, or the Oracle?
>Monad and the native gods are one and the same, aren't they?
>Here's what I came here to say... (Write in)
"Fujiwara you have some kind of connection with Oracle correct? How so? Also I noticed you called it 'her' unlike your peers."

"Oracle did Monad give the city AIs a semblance of a soul? What's your connection with ZOE anyway?"

>>1809438
Oops also

> Why are you cultivating Intruders?

>>1809438
Conflict? Neutral ground? I thought we were all on the same side Oracle. Unless you don't think so?

Also Crow congrats. You are one of the last of your kind since most of gods closed shop.

>>1809438
>Well you're definitely rude enough to be a God.
>Who am I speaking to? Monad, or the Oracle?
>You could have stopped the incident four months ago, but you didn't. Why?
>Monad and the native gods are one and the same, aren't they?

The silence draws out for a moment more, nobody quite daring to break it. In the end, it's Crow who makes the first move.

“On second thoughts,” she announces, “Maybe I'll take that coffee after all. I get the feeling that this is going to be a rough night.”

That breaks everyone out of their respective trances. Fujiwara blinks away her confusion and starts pouring out a cup of coffee, while you turn to the cylinder. “Is that you, Monad?” you ask curtly, “You're definitely rude enough to be a god. You could have asked before pulling that little trick.” Your words echo out, going unanswered for an uncomfortable moment. “Who exactly am I speaking to?” you press, “The Oracle, or Monad? Is there even any difference?”

[The two entities remain separate. You currently speak with the Oracle, although Monad is watching and listening. This conversation will be assessed and analysed, recorded for later use,] the Oracle's voice softens slightly, taking on a more human tone, [Do not be alarmed. I wish no harm.]

“See, all this talk of conflict and neutral ground makes me wonder,” you mutter, “I thought we were all on the same side... unless you had another idea?”

[Some degree of disagreement may be inevitable,] the Oracle decides, back in full machine voice, [I wished to put you at ease. I am not ignorant of your past conflicts. Sionann Attwood – confirm that you will take no violent action.]

“Hey!” Crow protests, “I... ugh. Fine. I'll be a good girl and mind my own business. Can't believe I'm getting told off by a bloody tin can...”

Leaving Crow to mutter away to herself, you look back to the Oracle. The screen set in her casing turns on, the image of a grotesquely enlarged eye staring back out at you. “You could have stopped the incident four months ago,” you state bluntly, “Or at least you could have warned us. You didn't, though, and I want to know why. You don't make mistakes, do you?”

The Oracle is silent for a long time. [The possibility of a large scale intrusion was detected,] she explains coldly, [However, the projected consequences of allowing the intrusion to proceed were deemed more valuable than the alternative. Had the attack been prevented, you would have remained ignorant of your true strength, content to blunder towards a blind and uncertain future. By allowing the attack to proceed, many more lives will be saved. This was deemed [I'm sorry] an acceptable sacrifice.]

You hesitate. Just towards the end of that cold speech, you heard a human voice whispering in the background, her grief at odds with the Oracle's unfeeling calculations. It almost makes you wonder...

Are you really talking to a single cohesive mind?

[1/?]

>>1809507
>This was deemed [I'm sorry] an acceptable sacrifice.
EVE, get out of the Oracle.

>>1809128
Good thing this little situation just handed us a solution.

>>1809507

> "Had the attack been prevented, you would have remained ignorant of your true strength, content to blunder towards a blind and uncertain future. By allowing the attack to proceed, many more lives will be saved".

How many people have we saved since the incident? A dozen maybe? A dozen and a half, most of which are hypothetical, at best?

What was it about 50 people died in the original incident? So we're maybe a fifth of the way towards evening that out? And this AI thinks that's worth it? What a load of horseshit.

Unless another incident of that scale happens, which it easily could because plot demands one does, this wasn't worth it.

>>1809534
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

>>1809507
Calling it now Oracle is that deer girl we saw in an interlude hooked up to a lot of cybernetics

>>1809507
> No. It wasn't an acceptable sacrifice. The was the easy sacrifice.

> You're incomplete, aren't you. Or Monad is at least. If it wasn't then you never would have dared to say those words to my face lie you understand what you sacrificed. You sacrificed nothing, you just took and justified it as your purpose being more important than their lives.

> The . . two? of you chose to kill those people for convenience, for the illusion of safety that you had reduced the risk, the probability of a possibility that hadn't happened yet. If the future could be changed by allowing it, then it cpuld have been changed in other ways after preventing it.

> It's fine for people to chose to sacrifice themselves for a God. For a friend. For the world.

> It's not fine for a God to pick and choose who'll they protect and who they will sell for convenience or security.

> If you can't do everything possible to try to save them all, then you can't be their God. Just a Tyrant playing one.

>>1809534
Saved a couple hundred when that plant with Eli's folks got hit. And just as many with the spooder tank.

>>1809534
One life would have been unacceptable. Unless they were truly absolutely unable to take any other action regardless of if it was the outcome with the best chances, we'll never know if the deaths it caused by willful negligence could have been prevented if it had just tried anything else.

Can't undo that shit. Gonna have to carry that weight and hope that maybe by not being an evil calculator of benefit in the future it can instead strive to be Good.

>>1809560
The future isn't set. They could have reached out to change us in other ways.

>>1809560

I'll concede on the plant, though since it was really the hunting hound that tracked down all the Intruders I'm a bit iffy on how much Miho actually contributed to the op outside of directing the team. As for the spider tank, the only civilian in the line of fire was Shidori; the other bystanders were already out of the building by the time the Intruder fully gained control. If it managed to escape the building, yeah it would've probably killed a shit ton of people, but at that point it's the Sentinels' fault for trying to show off without proper fail safes. Like what's been mentioned in the past, for how 'all-seeing' they try to be they really are genre-blind.

>>1809570

Yeah, we've got to deal with consequences of Oracle's actions. Both good and bad. I'm just saying that Oracle is trying to justify it's actions based on shear numbers, when the numbers are not in its favor.

>>1809558

Yeah, this is a lot better way of saying what I said.

>>1809507

Kurosawa is the next one to speak. “Sacrifice?” he snaps, “What do you know of sacrifice?”

“Nothing, of course,” Sakura adds, appearing beside her fellow god in a flicker of static electricity, “That's what made it so easy for them to throw those lives away. You talk of sacrifice, machine, but you don't understand it. You never will.”

“Wait, wait. Slow down,” you hiss, the blood turning to ice in your veins. Slowly, you let your gaze pan around the chapel. Fujiwara looks horrified, her face ashen and bloodless. Even Crow looks unhappy, disgusted the sheer callousness of the Oracle's pronouncement. “You LET those people die?” you spit at the machine, “No, it was worse than that. You made ME kill them!”

[Consider. What if a Tyrant had risen from Mizuhashi Reserve during your school visit? All of your classmates would have been put at risk. Consider every Intruder that you have fought since the incident. Consider everything that has happened,] the AI intones, [If the incident had not taken place, the girl you know as Kasumi Sato would not have joined your service. She would have been killed in Kaneshiro Park. For every life that was lost, many more have been saved.]

“Don't... don't try and rationalise it!” you snap, “You're just a machine, you don't-”

“Miho, please!” Fujiwara takes your arm, “This is all a mistake. A terrible, terrible mistake. The Oracle is... naïve. Innocent, even. She doesn't think like you or me, and she made a mistake! I can help her understand, to teach her not to... think like this!”

Turning away in disgust, you march away from the cylinder, practically dragging Fujiwara behind you. When you reach the chapel doors, you stop. “Fujiwara, what's your connection with the Oracle?” you ask, your question coming out in a harsh whisper, “You're the only one to call it “her”, right?”

“I can't just see her as an unthinking machine, not like the others do. She's not a tool. She's special to me, she... I made her,” Fujiwara admits, “She couldn't have been made without me, without the way I can... understand things.”

“Things,” you repeat flatly. A single word – that's all you need to say.

“People like you,” she explains, her voice weak. As soon as those words spill from her lips, you feel a sudden sense of dizziness, of sickness and disgust. Heedless of your darkening expression, Fujiwara continues to speak. “The Oracle system cannot function without two components, both working in synch. An AI programmed according to my instructions, ZOE, and...”

“And one of us,” you finish bluntly, “The heart of the Oracle system is one of US.”

All Fujiwara can do is nod, just barely twitching her head.

[2/?]

>Sorry about the delays. I'll try and keep this brief

>>1809619
Whoops, we've found Megumi's girlfriend.

>>1809643
Called it

>>1809619
> Do you think what you did was difficult? That you suffered too, and that made it acceptable? Will you tell me next that it was *necessary*.

> The Oracle isn't just naive. It's been taught. It's been formed from the very lie t now repeats.

> How could you. I should hate you for this. I think I might. I want to rip it apart, to undo what to did to some poor girl just because you could use her power.

> I just don't know. I need to talk to HER. I heard her already, she's been hurt enough by this that I want to make sure I don't hurt her more just because it's an *acceptable sacrifice*. Not to mention now I have to think about Mono and the Oracle.

> Don't try to pretend that deserving your regret and your shame means you can escape into it. We're going to do the best we can to fix this and we'll feel bad the entire time and we won't pretend like that makes us good people doing a hard jib instead of bad people who are hopefully going to do better.

> Did she at least believe in what she was doing on her own, or did you help that along while telling yourself it was just to make it easier on her.

>>1809619

Maybe we should ask if we can kill Oracle if it means more people will live.

>>1809692
Calm down. I know you want to rant but at least let Moloch finish writing man.

>>1809694
Maybe we should ask it if we should kill Oracle if one more person can live.

And that person is Fujiwara.

See if it says that it's still too important then.

Tell it that it has the right to choose not to die for someone else, so it's okay to say no.

Then ask it if it would kill Fujiwara itself if it meant that it could keep living.

Tell it that if it comcommits murder and makes someone definitely dead for the possibility that it could save other people later on, then it's just a Tyrant that hasn't killed everyone else *yet*.

>>1809704
Right after telling us that Oracle was naive and she could teach it to improve she tells us she did the same thing to make it.

Also she's been somewhat responsible for guiding Maika recently and we trusted her, then we find this out.

I'm a little keyed up about it.

Fujiwara is just an idiot trying to convince herself that she doesn't have to take responsibility.

>>1809717
I know but you need to dial down the conviction a bit.

Crushing her with shame won't help the situation.

At least let Moloch finish writing.

If it was a vote I'd be against your post anyhow, in my view Miho would be too upset to be that eloquent or coherent. Vindictive and antagonizing, sure, but not like that.

>>1809734

As much as we're probably driving Moloch nuts, I feel like this is our one chance to make sure there's not a homicidal God-AI with delusions of self-righteousness around after Miho inevitably dies.

>>1809619

You have so much to say to Fujiwara – curses, accusations, demands for explanations – that you can't even find the words just yet. You can't even look at her without feeling a sick feeling bubbling up from your stomach. You'll deal with HER later.

Gritting your teeth, you shake off Fujiwara's arm and march back up to the Oracle. The doctor starts to follow you, only for Sionann to grab her and push her – gently but firmly – back down into a pew. When you reach the Oracle you start to brush aside the gauze curtains, only for a sudden spike of anger to swallow you up. Tearing the curtain down and throwing it aside, you stab an angry finger into the metal cylinder.

“It was NOT an acceptable sacrifice,” you hiss, “It was the EASY sacrifice. You didn't bother to think about anything more than crude numbers and vague predictions. You didn't bother to think of an alternative solution. You saw two paths, and you blindly accepted that they were your only options. You made your choice, but it robbed everyone else of their choice. It's fine for people to choose to sacrifice themselves for the good of the people, for a friend, for whatever they believe in... but it's NOT fine for a god, a machine, to make that choice for them!”

The eye, set in the Oracle's computer screen, rolls madly. From hidden speakers, you hear a low throb of static – almost like a sobbing. [Your comments will be assessed and analysed,] the Oracle decides coldly, the machine voice overruling everything else, [Future predictive models will accommodate a broader perspective when considering-]

A blurt of static crackles out as you slam your fist into the metal case, denting the metal and cutting the Oracle short. “Fuck you,” you whisper, “Fuck your assessments, fuck your predictive models and... and...” Growling, you draw back your other fist to strike the machine, when...

[Please...] a soft, quivering voice pleads. The sound of that voice causes the strength to drain out of your body, your blow barely tapping against the Oracle's casing. Dragging in a shuddering breath, you slump back against the metal cylinder and slide down to the ground, the anger bleeding out of your body.

-

“Monad and the native gods,” you murmur after a moment, your voice hoarse, “They're one and the same, aren't they?”

[The native gods no longer exist,] the Oracle counters, [They have returned to the godhead. From the godhead, Monad sprung forth.]

“And now it's given souls to the City AIs,” you state quietly, “Or... some semblance of souls.”

[More than souls, divinity. Gods of the new generation,] it confirms, [Small and quiet gods, who men believe to be their servants.]

[3/?]

>>1809762
This isn't Monad, it was established the last time we were in the church that smashing this thing would do nothing. Even if there's no spare MG or back-up of the Oracle it won't be a huge setback for the Sentinels. The council is even full of people who don't even care about it

>>1809778
The problem is that the WE care about it.

We can't kill it just because it's easier than helping it get better.

>>1809734
I meant more to punch through her shame. She's clearly already drowning it because she knows what she did was wrong. She should feel shame. She just shouldn't only feel shame, but should learn and do better herself.

>>1809757
I trust Moloch to take it raw and turn it into Mihos actions appropriately. It's not like he needs to copy paste.

Although I will also point out that Mihos ability especially includes communicating well with others as the heart of the team and all.

Don't think she'd be to angry to be eloquent or coherent. I do think that she would realize that she might be to angry to not be excessively cruel or antagonizing g and want to calm down so she can make sure she isn't just lashing out to make Fujiwara hurt as some sort of Justice pervertedperverted into Revenge.

>>1809777
"And you guys have the nerve call Duty a 'Fallen God'. The only fallen gods I see are the ones who hid in a corner and let young girls die to clean up their mess. And when that didn't pan out they abandoned them deciding to instead to start merging humans and the scavengers they made. If you can't beat them, join them. Is that it Monad?"

>>1809778

I meant Oracle, though I suppose it'd be more of a Demi-God AI. Either way, it's less about smashing this terminal and more about setting the precedent that this cannot be allowed. Even if we manage to wipe the Intruders out permanently, Oracle will still be around, and if it's allowed to keep justifying homicide, then we're just trading one enemy of humanity for another.

As for the Sentinels, at this point I'm not really concerned about them. For all their money, connections, and resources, they've only proved that they're short-sighted, incompetent, and completely understaffed in the places that it matters. We posed enough of a threat as a team of three teenage girls to warrant possible elimination. The instant it gets out that we figure out whether or not we can kill all the Intruders, the Sentinels are going to eat their own organization alive as the ones who want to end the Intruders go right against the ones who want to cling to their powers.

>>1809843
>>1809822
I'm actually just fine with smashing this dumb thing, but unfortunately I also want to find out who the girl is, and if she can be put inside of an Alice.

>>1809843
So you want to smash the terminal and possibly injure or kill the girl behind it, or maybe just leave her trapped inside herself with no way to communicate?

You willing to make that *sacrifice* because of your fear of Monod?

The Oracle already accepted it was wrong.

>>1809850
How do you think Maika and SAE would react if they discovered we smashed an abused AI "child" for making a bad choice because it didn't have anyone to teach it any better?

>>1809871
But AIs aren't human, they're tools. If tools are faulty they are discarded. Just ask Renko Biotech, they are the leading experts!

>>1809777

“You're making gods,” you think aloud, “And you're cultivating Intruders. Or... you're allowing them to grow, at least. I don't understand why. Aren't you just making things harder for us?”

[I do not understand,] the Oracle states bluntly, the answer coming after a long delay, [Project Alice is not a part of our design. It is a... vanity project. A minor blasphemy with unforeseen consequences. It will be corrected in due time.]

“Right. Because you can just wipe away your mistakes so easily,” you sneer, resentment creeping back into you, “And you have the nerve to call Kurosawa a fallen god. You've been hiding away and sulking ever since... forever, while we've been cleaning up your mess. Now you're trying something new, and it's making a whole other mess! You don't-”

Before you can say anything else, you hear a hushed creak. The chapel door. Fujiwara pulls it open and stumbles out – not with the desperate air of an escaping convict, but with the lurching motions of someone in the throes of an illness. You hurry after her, but Crow is faster. She grabs Fujiwara by the arm, stopping just short of throwing the doctor against the wall. “Please,” Fujiwara mumbles as you approach her, “Some air. I just need some air.”

“Let her get her breath back,” you tell Crow, “I... I need to talk to her.”

“Yeah, no shit,” Crow takes a step back, letting you escort Fujiwara outside. “What a bloody mess...” the assassin mutters to herself as you leave.

-

The rain outside has stopped, which is a small but welcome mercy. You can talk without getting dripped on, at least.

“I didn't want any of this,” Fujiwara says immediately, “I started the Oracle program to help people! I thought... I knew that there would be glitches to iron out, but I never realised that...”

“Don't act like you're the victim in all this,” you warn her, “Just... don't. A lot of people are dead because of that machine, and because of you. Don't run from this, and don't make any excuses. Accept your fair shame of the blame and deal with it.”

“I...” the doctor slumps back against the wall, seeming to age twenty years in a single moment. “I've done a lot of terrible things,” she whispers, “I know that.”

“Then it's time to start doing better,” you tell her, “Help me out here...”

>What would happen if the Oracle program was shut down?
>Who is she, the girl in there?
>Say I wanted to destroy the Oracle. How would I do that?
>Do you really think you can teach the Oracle to be more... human?
>Other

>I'm sorry for cutting some of the write-ins short. Your patience is appreciated

>>1809920
>What would happen if the Oracle program was shut down?
>Who is she, the girl in there?

>>1809920
>Who is she, the girl in there?

>>1809920
>Who is she, the girl in there?
>The Oracle is your stupid mess to straighten out but that girl- that PERSON you placed inside the machine- can the Alice project help her? Can we take her out, give her a body again?

>>1809920
> Other
> You're planning on doing this with SAE, aren't you? Just gonna shove Maika into an AI core?

>>1809920
>What would happen if the Oracle program was shut down?
Maika already has an early warning system. Maybe not as good as foresight but it's better than foresight with an agenda.
>Who is she, the girl in there?
>Do you really think you can teach the Oracle to be more... human?

>>1809989
Way off the mark. Regardless of what you might think of him Eligor wants a succesor.

>>1809920
>Who is she, the girl in there?
>How do I get her out?

I'm sorely tempted to immediately demand Fujiwara tell us how to destroy the Oracle, but I don't want to ask that kind of question without our living lie detector around. Rescuing the victim really should be top priority for us anyway.

>>1810020

We know that Maika is basically a vat-bred clone of Eligor's actual daughter. We also know that Eligor feels guilty that he doesn't care about 'this' Maika as much as the one that he fused with, that Maika had her brain sculpted, causing her to become far more 'robotic' in her mannerisms, that she's been allowed to become far closer to SAE than anyone else, and that Fujiwara has been studying her MG 'code'.

You're right in that Eligor wants a successor, but with what we know so far it's extremely likely that this could happen.

“Who is she?” you ask simply, nodding back into the chapel, “The girl in there?”

“She isn't really in there, specifically,” Fujiwara explains, her voice trembling a little, “That's just a terminal, a simple input/output system that-”

“Who is she?” you repeat, stressing each word.

“Her name is Noriko Inoue. She's the first one of your kind that we discovered. Well, that we were able to really examine. There was a couple in New Cairo that...” she clears her throat, “We didn't go looking for her. She found us... somehow. She was gravely injured when we recovered her, we weren't even sure if she would survive. As she slowly recovered, she taught us about your kind. She couldn't fight, but she possessed the curious ability to predict the future. We needed an edge, an advantage against an enemy that we never really understood, and...”

“And she was it,” rubbing your brow, you force back a headache, “So you stuck her in the guts of a machine and-”

“No!” Fujiwara cries out, “She wanted to help us. She volunteered for this!”

This, you'll admit, was not what you had been expecting to hear. “She volunteered?” you repeat, all your righteous anger deserting you for a moment, leaving behind a void of confusion, “She volunteered?”

“Yes. As I said, she couldn't fight, but she still wanted to help us. She is a very dutiful girl. We now know... believe... that Monad was speaking directly to her,” Fujiwara glances back into the chapel, “Noriko is a kind girl, I can't believe that she would... that she could willingly...”

“Maybe she can't arrange for scores of deaths,” you suggest, “But what about ZOE? A cold, unfeeling AI... that seems like the perfect thing to carry out an atrocity like that.”

“Oh god...” the old woman whispers, her eyes growing blurry with tears.

“Focus!” snapping your fingers in front of her eyes, you pull her back to reality. “What condition is Noriko in?” you ask sharply, “The Oracle is your mess, you can deal with her, but I'm more concerned with Noriko herself. If she's hurt, could Project Alice help her?”

“Yes, I'm sorry, yes...” Fujiwara blinks away her grief, “Noriko is still very weak – she never fully recovered – but we believe that she can survive unaided. Owing to her... importance, however, she is kept under careful conditions, monitored constantly for any deterioration in her condition.”

“Where?” you demand, “Where is she kept?”

This, Fujiwara doesn't answer. She looks away from you instead, refusing to meet your eyes. She probably thinks that you'd do something stupid if you knew, like breaking in and dragging her out.

She's not entirely wrong, admittedly.

[1/?]

>>1810084

“Fine then,” you grunt, “What would happen if the Oracle program was shut down? What WOULD happen if I disconnected Noriko from it?”

“If you removed Noriko, the entire system would fail. Without her divine insight, ZOE would be little more than an advanced predictive model – that's how the Oracle works. Noriko provides the raw data, while ZOE converts it into a course of action. Um, I...” Fujiwara shudders, “The system needs both to function, and if either one was removed... we'd be blind. The Sentinels would have no way of stopping further incursions or preventing attacks. We would be forced to act on the defensive, like...”

“Like us, you mean?” you suggest, your tone deceptively light. This causes Fujiwara to colour, her face contorting in a grimace of shame. “Look, you mentioned something about teaching the Oracle to be better,” you sigh, “Could you really do it? Could you teach it to be more... human?”

“I think that I can. If I reduced ZOE's ability to make decisions, it would allow more human empathy to skew the balance. Efficiency would likely suffer, but it would be more than a fair trade,” Fujiwara nods, a new determination entering her eyes, “Yes... I'm still the director of the Oracle Program, I could do it. Questions may be asked, but I have authority over her. I can... I can make her better!”

“There's something I'm curious about,” you ask after a short moment, “Noriko isn't the only one of us who's close to an AI, is she? Not the only girl that you've studied, either.”

“I don't...” Fujiwara hesitates, “I don't know what you mean.”

“Maika,” you state, “Would you do this to her? Hook her up to an AI for the greater good? She can control drones, after all, that might help with-”

“No!” the doctor cries out, “I would never! I could never do that to my-” Here, she cuts herself short, her eyes widening slightly.

“What?” all of a sudden, you sense a previously unseen precipice looming, “Your... what?”

“My friend,” she finishes stiffly, “I consider Maika a friend, and her father too. I would never do that to her.”

“But you were fine with doing it to Noriko,” you point out, “Is it fine with her because you don't have to look her father in the eye every day?” When you see something in Fujiwara's face crumble, you realise that you've pushed her too far. She wilts, practically fainting into your arms. You catch her with a hissed curse, bracing her on one shoulder as you haul the chapel door open and carry her inside. By the time you're setting her down on a pew, she's completely unconscious.

[2/3]

>>1810126
Wow. Literally crushing guilt.

>>1810084
It's not like we're going too kidnap her or anything. But even if she isn't at fault for what happened somehow, she's still a part of it and has a responsibility to fix it.

And we're willing to help however we're needed to d so.

> Also don't worry about cutting my write ins short. They're like suggestions that are there for you to use as you can or as other anons want things different or similar to them. You've been amazing in all your quests with how you integerate everyone's input and write it in a manner appropriate to the PC.

>>1810126
Get fucking dunked on you bitch

tie all your good intentions to your feet and jump into a river

>>1810142
Honestly though I think she needed to face this. Now we just have to make sure we're available to help her move past it and make amends.

Like. We can't fix how she used Noriko for her, but we can go with her and remind her that she can still try to fix it and even if it doesn't work right away trying is still a step forward.

We can also tell her that we're going to keep trusting her with Maika, because she IS Maikas friend, and we feel she really will do better in the future.

>>1810126

Exhausted by this whole ordeal, you slump down into a pew of your own. Staring up at the ceiling for a long moment, you realise that Crow was nowhere to be seen when you entered the chapel. Either she's gone home, or she's-

“I'm still here,” the assassin says, reappearing in a pew a few rows away, “I might have been listening in on that little talk of yours. Sorry – bad habit.” She rises, a knife appearing in her hand as she swaggers up to you. When you raise your arms in a defensive stance, she scoffs. “Hey, I'm still on my best behaviour, remember?” she points out, “I'm just... I feel better with a knife in my hand. That's all.”

“And I feel better when you don't have a knife in your hand,” you counter, “Fine, whatever. Just don't give me any trouble, okay?”

“Oh, of course,” Crow laughs, sitting near you. Leaning forwards, she begins to carve away at the next pew, cutting what seems to be her initials into it. “This is fucked up,” she adds without looking around, “I mean, this is really messed up stuff. Way above my bloody level.”

“That's something we can agree on,” you mutter, “This is almost like being friends...”

“Ah, touching,” she snorts, waiting a long moment before whispering, “You know, I might be able to find her for you.”

“Find who?” you ask in a similarly low voice, “Noriko, you mean?”

“The doc back there is probably going to visit her tomorrow. I can follow her, see where she goes. I'm rather good at following people,” Crow tells you, “I'm curious about it myself. I've never seen an Oracle in the flesh. If I find anything out, I'll let you know – what you do with that information is your business, but... if you DO want to bust her out, I might be able to help.”

“Why? What's your stake in this?” a thought occurs, “Is this just so you can spite the Sentinels?”

“A little spite, a little curiosity...” Crow admits, “But mostly? It's because this just isn't right.”

Sionann Attwood is growing a conscience. This day is just full of surprises.

>I'm going to pause things here for now. I'll continue this tomorrow, and if anyone has any questions I'll answer them as best I can
>Thanks to everyone who contributed today!

>>1810217
Everyone has their limits.

>>1810217
Thanks for running!

>>1810217
Thanks for running!

How long until Monad creates its own magical girls and has them attack us?

>>1810217
Thanks for running Moloch.

That was a lot of shit for a non planned, write in meeting but you handled it really well.

How is Duty handling all this? We finally got confirmation about Monad. We should probably debrief with him after this.

How is Crow dealing with learning that we have a bigger body count than she does?

>>1810315
The Fallen God part makes me curious.

What has he given up so he could do his duty?

And we should really go with Fujiwara to see Noriko. She might not even want to leave if she feels that she can improve the Oracle now that she has some help.

>>1810315

Well, Kurosawa is currently in a state of "What the hell is wrong with these people?", which is more or less his usual state when Sentinel business is involved. Things are a little more personal this time, though, with the confirmation.
As for Crow, she'll just take it as motivation to do better!
But really, she'd say that it didn't "count". Anything to avoid admitting defeat.

>>1810296

I wonder! Maybe Monad is going to skip straight past the magical girl stage and just send minor gods after us instead?

>>1810368
I really doubt they would allow us to get close or learn of her location even if Fujiwara can be guilt tripped into agreeing. Let the invisible woman do her thing.

>>1810376
I sure hope that Kurosawa can still maintain his emotional barrier so that he doesn't simply turn into dust the next time the sentinels or monad reveals a new level of previously unthinkable stupidity.

>>1810217
Thanks for running, Moloch!

>>1810376
How is Sacrifice handling this? This whole thing seems to possibly originate in her absence from the Godhead, yeah? Monad's lack of understanding of the true nature of sacrifice?

>>1810409
A thing to note that Monad also doesn't understand duty.

>>1810409
>>1810419

Sakura's absence is a factor, yes. Without a deeper understanding of sacrifice, Monad is prone to seeing things on a pretty one to one level. In other words, one death and one prevented death might equal out to zero. It's not incapable of understanding, it's just not "natural".
That said, Sakura isn't handling this too badly. She's a lot more flippant about most things, so she's more likely to be sitting on the sidelines, laughing at all the stupidity.
The same idea applies to Duty. Monad would normally default to a very "letter of the law" interpretation of things.

>>1810408

Ah, he'll be fine. How could things possibly get any worse?

I get it now- the victory condition is to force duty and sacrifice into the godhead and then find the Monad mainframe and ask Zakuro to figure out a way to transport it into a remote part of the Umbra. Let them live their nightmare and suffer their failure for eternity without ever reaching into the realm of man ever again!

>>1810490
But it does understand Compassion! And Spite, Fury, Wrath, etc...

I totally see the divine influence on that decision.

>>1810541
Hey now, Kuro isn't that bad. He doesn't deserve to suffer eternally stuck together with his siblings.

File: there are two cups.jpg (13 KB, 590x400)

13 KB JPG

>>1810583
Weeeeeeell... it's a darn shame, but I don't truly comprehend the meaning of sacrifice.

>>1810490
So uh. Is Monad also all the the Vices?

>>1812128
You mean like Temptation and Wrath and what not?

Yeah it's all the gods other than Duty and Sacrifice.

File: Kurosawa.jpg (52 KB, 724x1103)

52 KB JPG

“This was not quite what I had been expecting,” Kurosawa admits, joining you as you slink through the streets of the vice district.

“From what?” you ask, “And what had you been expecting?”

“From anything,” he continues, “And I had been expecting... not this.” He is silent for a moment, pausing as someone walks right through him. “It seems as though I am back to normal,” the god tells you, “Something of a relief. I find it far easier to operate when only you can see me. I did not anticipate that... machine being able to reveal me. It seems that Monad's power is further reaching than I had thought.”

“I suppose this means you'll be able to speak directly with Asmodeus,” you point out, trying to find something to be optimistic about, “Uh, if you still feel like it.”

“I do. Perhaps more than ever,” Kurosawa nods, “I believe that he should be warned about placing too much faith in these machines of theirs. I cannot say whether or not he will heed our warnings, but I believe he should be warned nonetheless.” Silent for a long moment, Kurosawa seems unusually reticent. “The machine called me a “fallen god” back in that chapel,” he says eventually, “I... I must confess to a certain confusion. I do not know what it meant.”

“Ah, ignore it,” you suggest, “That thing was a jerk.”

“But I do not believe that its words were entirely baseless,” he insists, “I have changed, Miho. This cannot be denied.”

“Well sure,” shrugging, you glance down at him, “You're calling me “Miho” for one thing, rather than using my fancy title all the time. Plus, you actually make it seem like you care about me every now and then. When you promised to give me my memories back, you actually kept your word. You HAVE changed – spending time around people, humans, has changed you.”

“For the better, I hope,” Kurosawa says stiffly, trying – not entirely successfully - to keep a note of pride from slipping into his voice.

“Aw, you're having a moment!” Sakura chuckles, appearing to your other side, “That's so cute!”

“Shut it, snowball,” you mutter, feeling your cheeks heating up. “But thanks for your input back there,” you add after a pause, “I'm curious though. What do you make of that “fallen god” stuff? Fallen how?”

“I wonder!” she chirps, “Perhaps because we turned our backs on their grand designs, refusing to join their little godhead? I'm inclined to agree with you though – maybe it was just being rude to us, for no reason other than to diminish us in its eyes. Gods can be like that!”

“Petty, you mean?” you ask.

“Absolutely!” Sakura giggles, “We're not infallible, after all!”

“Admitting your failure is only the first step,” you tell her sternly, “Cleaning up after yourself is important as well.”

[1/2]

>>1813168

“Isn't that what we're for?” a new voice corrects you. Glancing up, you realise that you've been murmuring aloud as you walk, probably drawing all kinds of stares and funny looks. Emi is just one of them, eyeing you up with a crooked smirk. “You gotta remember where you are, Miho,” she says, her smile growing a little wider, “If you're not careful, you might stroll into a bad neighbourhood.”

“I must already be there, if you're here,” you shoot back, “What are you doing out here so late, anyway?”

“Shopping, y'know?” the young girl shrugs, holding up a small bag, “I wanted to pick up a few new movies. Check this stuff out...” When she hands the bag over, you flip through the small selection of DVDs. All of them gory horror movies, and all of them rated high enough that she shouldn't even be allowed to look at the covers. “I've been looking for a copy of Parasite Maiden for ages!” she adds in an excited whisper, “I was gonna head straight home, but...”

“But now I gotta drag your sorry butt back with me!” she laughs, grabbing you by the arm, “I know the others ain't here, but what do you say? Movie night, just the two of us!”

She's being unusually friendly about this. Either she's really pleased to have found this movie of hers, or she's got something else going on. Then again, maybe this is all for your sake – Emi tends to be the one to notice when there's something up with you, even if nobody else has caught on. Not just a fighter, she's got a bit of a sensitive side to her... even if she prefers to keep it buried under a spiky attitude.

Awaiting your response, Emi looks up at you with puppy dog eyes.

>Sure. I could do with some escapism right now
>I don't know, maybe we should arrange something with the others for another time
>I'm not really in the mood tonight. Sorry
>Other

>>1813169
>>Sure. I could do with some escapism right now

>>1813169
>Sure. I could do with some escapism right now

But before Kurosawa and Sakura leave, ask them why Ayane and Kasumi have the powers they do. They don't work on Intruders, Zakuro is proof of that. It doesn't make much sense for Magical Girls, whose purpose is to fight Intruders, to have unique powers that only give them special information about humans.

>>1813169
>Sure. I could do with some escapism right now.

Those movies will be a nice change of pace compared to the horrors of real life

>>1813169
>Sure. I could do with some escapism right now

>>1813181
Technically none of us have powers that work on Intruders. Miho connects with people better, Emi counters other magical girls, and Maika can buff machines.

All of us still have combat capabilities in spite of that.

>>1813187
Maika buffs machines to scout/fight Intruders though.

We manipulate fate to draw out a big Intruder attack, and thwart it at the cost of our life.

Emi does counter other MG's, but that's the whole purpose of her role, in case any MG's go evil and abuse their powers.

What role do the Seeker of Truth and the Temptress serve?

>>1813198
>We manipulate fate to draw out a big Intruder attack
What?

>>1813198
Run interference in the human world and keep the whole operation secret, I suppose.

File: Emi Miyakawa.jpg (276 KB, 1215x1215)

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“Sure,” you nod, “I could do with some escapism right now. It's been that kind of day...”

“Nice!” Emi replies, her grin immediately souring. “I mean, it sucks that you've had a bad day and all, that ain't nice in the least,” she hastens to add, “But it's nice that we can take in a movie together. Easier to find something we both like when it's just the two of us, yeah? That's what's nice.”

“I know what you mean,” you laugh, giving her a light shove on the shoulder, “Don't freak out about it. Anyway, weren't you supposed to be dragging my sorry butt back home right about now?”

“Got it, boss!” she nods, flashing you a wink and leading you away. Kurosawa and Sakura prowl along with you, their own faces unreadable. More than once, you pause to shoot Kurosawa a brief glance.

“Yes?” he asks eventually, “Is there something I can assist you with?”

“Something I was a little curious about, that's all,” you reply, “It's about our powers. Not just our fighting stuff, but like... Ayane and Kasumi. Their powers aren't much good against an Intruder, so why can they do what they do?”

“Our own attempts at being proactive,” Kurosawa answers, “You all have your roles to play. The Temptress can see into the hearts of men and root out their darker desires, ideally before they can do harm – harm that might draw more Intruders into your world. The Seeker of Truth, meanwhile, was traditionally a judge of men, to ensure that their faith was honest and true. Of course, more recent years have lessened the importance of these roles. They are... outdated, perhaps.”

“Man,” Emi sighs, “You make it sound like we could have been... shit, I don't know. Secret police or something.”

“You're not far wrong!” Sakura agrees, “All for the good of mankind, of course!”

“Don't start,” you warn her, “I'm really not in the mood to hear any more about the greater good or... or anything like that now. Don't even start.” When you notice Emi's curious look, you make a vague gesture. “It's a long story,” you explain, “I'm not really thinking straight right now. I'll tell everyone tomorrow, when I've got more of a clear head. Sorry...”

“Fine with me,” she says with a shrug, “Stuff isn't burning down around our ears, so I reckon it can wait until later, whatever this is.”

Sighing with relief, you lapse back into silence. As you walk, though, something that had been nagging at the back of your mind suddenly takes on a clear and definite form – that name, Noriko, had sounded familiar at the time, and now you can place it. Megumi mentioned knowing a girl by that same name, and you're not about to chalk it up to a coincidence.

Things seem to be taking shape, like pieces laid out on a chessboard.

[1/2]

>>1813205
Right we should have asked Kurosawa about Noriko.

Might want to do that before talking to Megumi cause she'll just run off to the rescue with no plan.

>>1813169
>Parasite Maiden
man, there are so many things this could be a reference for.

>>1813205

It's strangely comforting to find Emi's house in its usual state of clutter and disarray. She wastes no time in sweeping some empty space on the floor and sticking on one of her new movies, bustling about with snacks as it begins to play. As if summoned by the noise and fuss, Kaoru opens his bedroom door and peers out.

“Good evening,” he says when he sees you, nodding a calm greeting. As soon as you've returned it with a greeting of your own, he vanishes back inside his room. He's not in the mood for being sociable today, apparently.

“I'll just be a minute here,” Emi shouts, her voice drifting through from the kitchen, “Got this microwave popcorn stuff, should be done soon.”

“Waiting warmly,” you call back. When you notice Kurosawa watching you from a nearby table, you give him a probing look. “Noriko,” you state simply, “She was one of Megumi's friends, wasn't she?”

“Yes. She was lost within the Umbra. I believed she was dead, although the Gravetender could never quite abandon the hope of finding her again,” Kurosawa nods gravely, “She has been here instead. I can only assume that Monad, that my former colleagues, conspired to hide her from my sight. If she has told the Sentinels about our ways, that would explain some of their knowledge.”

“She spilled all our secrets...” you murmur, “I guess that's going to reflect pretty badly on her, huh?”

“The circumstances remain to be seen. I will reserve judgement until I know more,” the cat tells you, “Regardless, I would urge caution with this information. The Gravetender may react... poorly upon learning the truth. I will make no demands – whether you tell her or not is your decision to make – but I urge caution.” He pauses for a moment, sighing in his own feline way. “This is a weighty decision to make,” he adds, “I do not envy it. Allow me to think – if I have any advice to give you, I will offer it freely.”

“Thanks,” you mutter, “I might need all the help I can get.”

-

When Emi returns with the popcorn, the movie is already getting well underway. A young woman tosses and turns in her bed, while the shadow of some loathsome tentacled thing creeps closer to her.

“Uh, Emi?” you ask, “What kind of movie was this again?”

“Huh?” she chuckles nervously, “Don't worry about it, it's probably just gonna rip her to shreds or something, it's cool.”

“Oh boy...” sighing, you lean back and pick at your popcorn. As you do, Kaoru's door swings open again.

“I'm going out,” he tells you, “Magnus wants to meet up to discuss some new material. I don't know when I'll be back, so don't worry if I'm late. You'll be fine on your own, won't you?”

“Sure,” Emi agrees, nodding slowly but otherwise not taking her eyes from the screen. Once Kaoru has left, she pauses the movie and looks around at you. “He's lying,” she says simply, “He's up to something. I know it.”

[2/3]

>>1813247

It takes you a moment to catch up. “Lying?” you repeat, “About what? And who's Magnus?”

“Their bass player. His real name is fucking... Takashi or something, I don't know. He insists that everyone calls him “Magnus” instead. Dork. Look, that's not the point!” Emi shakes her head angrily, “I spoke with the guy a few days ago, he was complaining about Kaoru constantly refusing to meet. So, if he ain't meeting up with HIM, what is he doing?”

“Well I don't know!” you protest, “I... you're thinking of following him, aren't you?”

“Damn right,” Emi insists, “It's the only chance I've got of finding out what he's getting up to. If he's getting in trouble, I deserve to know about it. We're family, that means we gotta stick together.”

“If you think he's getting in trouble, maybe you should call the police,” you suggest, recalling your mother's advice, “I mean, it's gotta be better than letting him get hurt, right? Or worse. What if-”

“I ain't calling them!” scowling angrily at the TV screen, Emi leaps to her feet, “Fuck it. Sorry Miho, I'm gonna have to cancel movie night. Emergency circumstances, yeah? I gotta go – now, before he gets away!”

>I'm not letting you go and get yourself wrapped up in his mess. I'm sorry, but you're staying here
>Fine. Do what you feel you have to do
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you
>Other

>>1813263
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you

Let's see if Maika can send out a drone.

>>1813263
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you

>>1813263
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you
"Let's follow him by rooftop and stay out of sight. We'll have to watch your weird porn some other time."

>>1813263
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you

>>1813270
Good idea

>>1813263

>>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you
>Let's do this transformed. Or just me, if being in a suit of maid armor is a problem.

>>1813263
>I'm not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you

Somehow, you knew that she would never have taken your mother's advice. If you don't take her advice, Emi sure as hell won't. You're not about to abandon her, so that just leaves you with one option.

“I'm not letting you go alone,” you tell her firmly, “I'm coming with you.” This causes Emi to pause, her fury of activity put on hold for a few precious seconds. “We'll stick to the rooftops and stay out of sight,” you add, “Then we can finish watching your weird porn later, okay?”

This, at least, snaps her out of her trance. “It's not porn!” she insists, “It's perfectly normal ultraviolence, it's... ugh! Let's go, rooftops it is!”

-

Outside, you transform and scale up the side of the building, pausing for a moment to survey the streets below. “There he is!” Emi hisses to you, turning your way, “We can follow him easy this way, and... whoa!” Her eyes widen at the sight of you. “You...” she stammers, “Your clothes!”

Frowning at her reaction, you look. Your costume has changed, reverting back to the form you remember from all those years ago. An iron breastplate and modest skirt, but compete with Hikari's sash worn as your usual scarf. It's still far from flashy – at a glance, you could pass for a regular person – but it feels... complete. Shaking off your wonder, you look back up to Emi. “I'll explain later,” you tell her, taking out your phone as you do, “Let's not let Kaoru get too far ahead.”

“Right, and-” she pauses, “Who are you calling?”

“I'm calling Maika. Maybe she can send over a drone or something, that would make tracking him a lot easier,” you explain, “Don't worry, I'm not calling the cops.” Waving away her concern, you listen as Maika picks up the phone and greets you. Skipping past the small talk, you launch straight into an explanation of your situation and what you need.

“I'm sending a unit over. You just need this for surveillance, correct?” the heiress answers, replying with all the crisp efficiency that you've come to expect from her, “I won't be able to send an armed unit.”

“Armed?” you stammer, “I'm trying to spy on the guy, not assassinate him!”

“Unarmed will be fine then. Very good,” Maika thinks aloud, “I'll slave the unit to your phone when it arrives, so you'll be position it however you require. Just let it idle and it'll shift to automatic, it shouldn't give you any trouble. It should be arriving soon. Call me again if you need help – I can take direct control from here.”

“Thanks Maika,” you reply as you hear a hushed buzz, the drone arriving to flit around above your head, “It's here now. I'll treat it kindly!”

“Please do,” she concludes stiffly, “Good luck with... whatever it is that you're doing.”

[1/2]

>>1813327
Wow, those drones are fast.

Alternatively, they're everywhere.

>>1813327

Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, you and Emi follow Kaoru as he strolls through the streets. Whenever it gets too risky to watch him directly, you send the drone in to hover high above and peer down in your place. It's a quiet little thing, and drones are no uncommon sight in Ark City, so it draws far less attention than two girls on a rooftop. It's a good system, and soon Kaoru is making his first stop – a dank alleyway hidden from a casual glance. There, he starts to fumble behind a dumpster.

“C'mon, this is bullshit,” Emi whispers, “He's going dumpster diving, is THAT his big secret?”

“Shh,” you warn her, “He's got something, look.”

Down below you, Kaoru has retrieved a black bag, long and straight. Pulling on a pair of leather gloves, he opens the bag to study the contents. Two simple objects – a baseball bat and a rubber mask in the shape of a ferocious oni. Nodding with satisfaction, he returns the objects to his bag and sets off again.

“That can't be right,” your young companion whispers as you start after him, “Kaoru fucking hates baseball...”

“I don't think he's planning on a spot of batting practice,” you reply grimly, “I don't like the look of this...”

-

Kaoru's next stop is in a particularly rough part of the vice district. The streets are deserted here, while the buildings are all dismal and run down. There's only one other citizen in sight, slovenly leaning against a doorway with a cigarette lighting up his face. Kaoru ducks into another alleyway before the man sees him, pulling on that ghastly rubber mask and gripping his bat firmly.

You watch, transfixed with growing horror, as Kaoru marches up to the smoking man. You can't quite believe what you're seeing. The smoking man straightens up at the sight of him, saying something that you're too distant to hear. The whole scene is a surreal one, and you can barely bring yourself to believe what you're seeing. Even when Kaoru lashes out, swinging the bat into the man's skull with a crack that you CAN hear, you're left struggling to understand. Emi, by your side, is equally stunned.

“What...” she whispers, pulling you back behind the lip of the rooftop, “What the hell is this?”

“I don't...” you swallow nervously, glancing down at your phone. On the screen, you watch Kaoru striding into the decrepit building. Nothing happens for a few short moments, and then...

And then a handful of gunshots ring out to shatter the night air. Dragged back to reality, you look down as a message pops up on your phone.

[Police alert detected in your vicinity,] the message warns, [Response units incoming.]

“I'm going down there,” Emi snaps, “I gotta make sure he's okay!”

>I'm right behind you!
>The police are coming, we gotta get out of here!
>Do what you want, I'm out of here!
>Other

>>1813365
>I'm right behind you!
Pretty uncool if we bail now. Emi won't.

>>1813365
>>I'm right behind you!
Alternatively, in front. Emi can't really block gunshots, can she?

>>1813365
>I'm right behind you!
Fucking Kaoru is a goddamn Hotline Miami character.

>>1813365
>I'm right behind you!

>>1813365
>>The police are coming, we gotta get out of here!

>>1813365
>I'll spot for you with the drone!

>>1813387
You can't spot very well inside a compound on the move. Keep it outside so we have a feed on the situation out there for our escape.

File: Kaoru Miyakawa.jpg (137 KB, 850x1300)

137 KB JPG

“I'm right behind you!” you assure her. She gives you a sharp nod, and you catch a brief glimpse of her face – set in a determined snarl – before she slams down the visor of her helmet. Dimly sensing that the situation is rapidly spiralling out of control, you pull your scarf up to serve as a makeshift mask and leap down from the rooftop. Above you, the drone begins to make a lazy circuit of the area as it returns to automated mode. With any luck, you'll be able to keep an eye out for the police with it.

Together, you and Emi race up to the decrepit house and barge through the door. The guard at the door stirs slightly as you pass him, a slurred groan slipping from his lips. He's still alive, but the picture inside is far less rosy. Three people lie within, Kaoru and two other men – both of them dead, by the look of it. The first dead man lies slumped by an overturned table, his head twisted around at a sickly angle, while his companion is sprawled out next to Kaoru, a small knife buried in the side of his throat. A small handgun lies nearby, the stink of burnt powder still hanging in the air.

Kaoru himself lies in a spreading puddle of blood, slipping as he struggles to rise. His trousers are ripped, blood welling up and spilling out from a deceptively small wound in his thigh. He turns your way when you burst in, his eyes – wide and panicked – just barely visible through the mask's eyeholes.

Time seems to slow to a crawl, but only for a second. “Get some pressure on the wound!” you cry, “Press down on it, as hard as you can!”

“R-right!” Emi blurts out, dropping to her knees and clamping her hands around Kaoru's thigh. As she holds on for dear life, you rush into the filthy bathroom, grabbing the first towel that you can find. Joining Emi beside Kaoru, you tie it around his thigh, tightening it until he grunts out in pain.

“We have to... leave...” he gasps, “Wait. The bag...”

“Bag?” you repeat, “Forget it, whatever it is. We've got to get you to a doctor!”

“No!” Kaoru spits, “I can't... leave it...” Before he can say anything else Emi heaves him upright, staggering a little but otherwise keeping him up. “There!” he adds, pointing a shaky hand towards the other side of the room, “The desk. Please!”

“Damn it!” you groan, stepping around the corpse to snatch up the coarse canvas bag, hesitating a moment as you see a scattering of pills – or something like them – littered nearby. Drugs of some kind, you realise, but you don't have time to focus on them. Grabbing the back, you sling it over one shoulder. It's not all that heavy, but it's bulky.

“Now we can leave...” Kaoru murmurs, slumping against his younger sister.

[1/2]

>>1813425
A hit in the femoral artery. Two to tree minutes to live, one of which has already elapsed. Let's hope Miho can make a good torniquet.

>>1813425

Before you can take Kaoru's other arm, sharing the burden with Emi, your phone vibrates. A call this time, not a message. “You need to listen very carefully,” Maika explains, her voice wavering just a tiny bit, “The police are inbound. Gunshots are taken very seriously, even in these parts. Standard protocol is to seal off the area – roadblocks, as well as active stop and search protocol. If you panic, they'll catch you.”

“Thanks,” you grunt, “So what's the good news?”

“You're not out of time yet,” she answers, “If you stay calm and hurry, you should be able it out of the area before the net closes. It doesn't matter where you go, just GO.”

Glancing back to Kaoru and Emi, you gesture for them to move with a savage jerk of your head. “We're in no position to hurry,” you groan, “Got a wounded man here. Even if we carry him...”

“Ah,” Maika pauses, hesitating for a moment, “That changes things. I... give me a moment. I've got your location now. Start heading, um... north.”

“North?” you repeat, loud enough that Emi can hear, “And then what?”

“I'm working on that part,” she answers lamely, “Just keep heading north, and keep scouting ahead with your drone. I'll do what I can on my end.”

A low groan escapes you as she ends the call. A small map of the city pops up on your phone screen, red blips moving your way with worrying speed. “Emi!” you hiss, as you take Kaoru's other arm, “How is he?”

“Uh... I think he's stopped bleeding now,” Emi offers, “But shit, there was so much blood. I think he's knicked his thing, his... his female artery or whatever. That's bad, isn't it?”

“Don't worry about that now,” you urge, “We gotta move.”

-

It's no good. Even with your most optimistic estimates, you won't be able to make it out of the area before the police cordon closes around you. When you see the red blips on your map stopping, forming a tight perimeter, you know that the game is up. Whatever Maika was doing, it didn't come to anything. Her last message – a terse “Working!” - offers little hope.

“This is bad,” Emi repeats as you duck into an alleyway, “Damn it, and we're so close! If we could just get a little bit further...”

“I know... a doctor,” Kaoru groans, forcing the words out, “Near here. Past the next police line. We'd be... safe there.”

You glance at the drone's camera feed. Not far ahead of you, the police have the street sealed off. Maybe if one of you could distract them, the others could sneak past, but...

“I don't know what to do!” Emi whines.

>We hand ourselves in. At least we'd get Kaoru to the hospital...
>I'll distract those police up ahead, you slip past
>Maika said she's working on something, and I trust her. Just wait, you'll see!
>Other

>>1813425
When do we learn that Kasumi's tenants supply these guys, and are the ultimate target of Kaoru?

>>1813490
>Maika said she's working on something, and I trust her. Just wait, you'll see!

We might want to call the Sentinels and have them clear this up for us if Maika does not pull through.

>>1813490
>Maika said she's working on something, and I trust her. Just wait, you'll see!
Worst comes to worst we can do the distract idea.

Though can't we just leap from rooftop to rooftop like how we got here?

>>1813490
>Let's go over the roofs?
I'm reasonably sure a transformed Miho could leap between buildings with a man on her shoulders.

>>1813511
>>1813512

Would jostle Kaoru too much. He can't take landing impacts like we can.

>>1813490
>I'll distract those police up ahead, you slip past.

Chances are we can call the Sentinels and owe them a favor.

>>1813512
Carrying Kaoru, even at a run, is hopefully fine. The acceleration and deacceleration from leaping between rooftops on the other hand...

“We could run across the rooftops...” you begin, looking up at the alley walls. They're nice and close, easy enough to scale...

“With Kaoru on your shoulders?” Emi counters, shaking her head, “Shit, what if you ripped his leg right open? What if you fell...”

“Well, I don't see you coming up with any ideas!” you snap. Leaning back against the wall, you cover your eyes and think for a moment. “Maika said she was working on something, and I trust her,” you insist after a few seconds, “Just wait, she'll come through. You'll see!”

“What? That's your grand plan?” Emi hisses, “Just wait here, while my brother is bleeding... ugh!” Gritting her teeth, she forces herself to calm. “Fuck, maybe this is dumb enough to work. She's rich, rich people never get arrested,” the young girl mutters to herself, “And we're her friends, so we're basically rich as well... Fuck, I can't believe we're doing this...”

“Just give her a few moments more,” you press, “Then we can try something else. I don't know what, just something else...”

“Oh god,” the young girl groans, “We're all dead...”

Hushing her with a curt gesture, you stare desperately down at the phone's screen. One of the police officers has stopped scanning the area, instead talking on his radio. Even through the grainy camera feed, you can see his face contorting in a sudden grimace. Waving to his partner, he stomps back to his car and gets in, turning a tight corner and pulling out once the other man has joined him. As the car drives off, a single word appears on your screen.

[Go.]

Maika came through. You never doubted her for a second.

-

You waste no time in carrying Kaoru through the gap in the perimeter, practically dragging him down the next alleyway. He stirs as you move him, just enough of his wits returning for him to grunt out directions. His increasingly weak voice pants in your ear as you follow a winding maze of backstreets, eventually arriving at a nondescript door – the only thing marking it out is the neon sign, some Chinese character, burning above it.

“We're here...” he mumbles, his head slumping to the side. Emi leads the way, kicking the door open and guiding you down a narrow set of stairs. The door at the bottom is already opening, a young woman waving you inside.

“Get him down on the bloody table!” she orders, her crisp accent designed to cut through panic, “Blood. He needs blood. What's his type?”

“A something, I don't know!” Emi stammers, “Uh.. uh... A positive? Wait, shit, I'm a B...”

“Bugger. What about you?” the young doctor glances at you, flicking her fringe out of her eyes with a gloved hand, “Give me some good news, love. I think we all need it.”

“Blood?” you repeat, “I think I'm O something, the universal one. That would work, right?”

Clapping you on the shoulder, the young doctor laughs with delight.

[1/2]

>>1813553
Wait, siblings can have different blood types?

>>1813566
Yep, with O type parent paired with AB type parent.

>>1813566
What >>1813579 said. O's a kind of a jackpot blood type, so as long as one of the parents have it, anyone that comes out of the mom has a shot at basically having any of the types.

>>1813553

The next few moments pass in a blur. The doctor pushes you down into a chair and rolls up your sleeve, jabbing a needle into your arm with precious little ceremony. You understand that time is critical, but it still strikes you as rather... rude. Complaints aside, a thread of your blood is soon travelling up a hollow tube and vanishing into a featureless little box, emerging the other side and dripping into Kaoru's arm. When she notices your nervous look, the doctor laughs.

“Just a little filter, love, to strain out anything nasty. I don't mean to imply anything, but one can never be too careful,” she laughs softly to herself, “I wouldn't normally need to do this, but I had a rather large withdrawal from the blood bank yesterday. Poor bugger strolled in here with his throat cut. I'll tell you this, though – he walked out of here on his own two feet.” Nodding at her anecdote, she returns to working on Kaoru's wounded leg.

“Good for him,” you sigh, leaning back and closing your eyes. It's very strange, feeling your blood leave your body like this – it's very different from all the other times you've found yourself bleeding profusely. “Are you a doctor, then?” you ask, just to make conversation, “You seem awfully... young.”

“Of course I'm a doctor!” she declares, “Well, a nurse. Well, a trainee nurse. Don't worry though, I'm in the top of my classes. Yamazaki, at your service. You'll excuse me if I don't shake your hand, this is delicate work.”

“I wouldn't worry about it,” you murmur, fatigue washing over you in a crushing wave.

-

When you wake up from your doze, Kaoru is on the mend. Emi sits beside him, her face still pinched with worry. When she notices that you're awake, her face brightens. “Miho,” she whispers, “Thank god you were here. It was only a tiny knick, the doc said, but he almost died anyway. I... I owe you a lot.”

“Jeez...” you groan, “Weird, the things you remember in a crisis. Normally, I couldn't tell you a thing about my blood type. I only learned it once, and that was for science lesson. How come you were so quick to know yours? This, uh, this sort of thing happen before?”

“No. God no,” Emi laughs, “It's kinda dumb, but I got this magazine once. It had this article about personality types, like, and we all got around the table as a family to work ours out. Kaoru is an A, so he's all reserved and stuff. I'm a B, which means I'm passionate and hot-headed. My mom was a B like me, but my dad is an O like you. Pretty neat, huh?”

Something about that doesn't seem quite right, but you're too tired to object.

[2/3]

>Sorry for the delay. Had some bad computer issues.

>>1813701
>Something about that doesn't seem quite right, but you're too tired to object.
Looks like they're not really siblings after all.

>>1813732
Do not encourage the brocon.

>>1813732
Could be half if they have the same dad.

>>1813701

“Hey, what about that bag?” you ask after a moment, “Have you checked that bag yet?”

“Oh shit, I forgot all about that,” Emi smacks her forehead before reaching under the table and producing the bag. “Let's take a little look see,” she murmurs, unzipping it and pulling it open. When she sees the contents, her jaw drops. Rising from your chair, you limp around to stand behind her, following her gaze. The bag is filled with cash, stacks and bundles of notes. “There's so much here,” the young girl breathes, “I've never seen so much money! This must be enough-”

“To pay off everything that you owe,” Kaoru murmurs, stirring and opening one eye, “With a little left over. I was thinking of keeping that for myself, actually, I could use a new amp...”

For a moment, it looks as though Emi is about to launch into a violent hug, but then the doctor clears her throat. “Don't go jostling him,” she scolds, “I just finished stitching him up!”

“Sorry doc, thanks doc,” Emi replies, bowing her head in a respectable imitation of good behaviour. Your phone purrs then, offering a distraction. Murmuring an excuse, you put some distance between you and the others before answering it.

“I apologise,” Maika says, skipping a more traditional greeting, “That took a lot longer than I had been hoping. Did everything work out okay?”

“Yeah, uh, we're all still alive,” you reply, your thoughts still lagging behind. When you close your eyes, all you can think of are blood types and bundles of cash. “Don't worry about it,” you add, opening your eyes again, “How'd you pull it off, anyway?”

Maika is silent for a long moment. “Actually, I wasn't the one who did anything,” she admits, “It was a last resort, but I asked Father to pull a few strings. If I could have found any other solution, I would have done so, but... I ran out of options. I asked Father for his help, and he happily obliged.”

Slumping back against the wall, you pinch the bridge of your nose in a vain attempt at warding away a headache. This time, you're the one to lapse into silence.

“Miho?” Maika asks, a faint nervousness creeping into her voice, “Are you still there?”

>I'm fine. I gotta go though. We'll talk tomorrow, yeah?
>So what does he want in return? He does want something, right?
>Forget it. Has any of this hit the news yet?
>I need to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1813832
>>I'm fine. I gotta go though. We'll talk tomorrow, yeah?

>>1813832
>Forget it. Has any of this hit the news yet?
Let's not imply her father is a soulless bastard he is.

>>1813832
>So what does he want in return? He does want something, right?

>>1813732
I mean. Westermarck Effect should still be in play, huh? (Unless we're just going by anime rules where it doesn't exist.)

>>1813832
>Forget it. Has any of this hit the news yet?

>>1813832
>>Forget it. Has any of this hit the news yet?