[Prologue, Friday: Sousei]

[doublecrows]

[WELP]

That woman. She was your partner, correct?

[this is absolutely the conversation Sousei wants to have now, right?]

Comments

[disilluded]

[... Hm.]

Which claims the neutral group, then? Or if neither, what is its purpose in existing in this game that is between only those two? The answer to that may have an answer in how to end this game without eradicating an entire group of people.

[doublecrows]

It may. You're right. Unfortunately. . . I don't have any answers to those questions at this point in time.

[disilluded]

It is better to have questions to try to find the answers to, than none at all. It is a direction, at least.

[A beat, and he adds:]

I believe you are onto something. I believe you are intelligent, as well.

[There's a heavy "but" there, though Sousei pauses as if trying to figure out how to put it into words.]

[doublecrows]

. . . but?

[Sousei pauses, but the "but" is so obvious that Akechi can't help but prod into it]

[disilluded]

...Everyone has some sort of facade with which they face the world.

[Sousei keeps his eyes on Akechi carefully, arms crossed.]

I am not sure what it is you're hiding, but your pleasantness is often skin deep.

[You've made too many shithead comments, Akechi--don't think he hasn't noticed them. Picking out shithead comments is his job.]

I believe your purposes in coming to speak with me now are sincere--but it does not sit right with me to leave things as they are without clearing the air.

[If he really is to die tomorrow...]

Consider hard what it is you are trying to accomplish here, and come to a decision for yourself. That is the only advice I have to offer to you.

[He could ask Akechi not to harm people, but in truth he doesn't know exactly what lurks beneath that pleasantness, and he doesn't think that Akechi's a killer or anything--just that there are hard edges under there, and he doesn't know what Akechi means to do by pretending to be so kind, when he clearly has more to him than that. But if Akechi isn't careful, that could come to bite him later as well, if more people catch on to something being just slightly off. With mob mentality, "just slightly off" is more than enough.]

[doublecrows]

[thank god I love it when people call him out on his bullshit]

[he's quiet for a very long moment, staring at Sousei with an even expression. no smile, just a calm sort of neutrality. something detached, something that isn't quite connecting with the situation at hand. something definitely a bit. . . off]

I already know what I wish to accomplish.

[disilluded]

...I do not like that expression at all.

[Oh, thanks, Sousei.]

It has no place in a "game" like this.

[doublecrows]

[OH, THANKS SOUSEI]

. . . oh? And what's wrong with it?

[at least he's back to smiling]

[disilluded]

You are far too detached. Do you care about nothing here but yourself?

[It's a sincere question.]

[doublecrows]

[yes]

No. I care about everyone here.

[he answers quickly, at least]

. . . perhaps, as a detective who primarily investigates homicides, I have just learned how to remove myself from the situation, in order to preserve my own feelings.

[disilluded]

[... There's a long, long pause.

And then Sousei just makes a noncommittal noise.]

... Perhaps.

[...]

Regardless, I did not intend to turn this into an interrogation. Did you require anything else?

[doublecrows]

[he shakes his head]

No, I don't. But I do thank you for your time, Sousei-san.