[Prologue, Saturday: Cardia]

[doublecrows]

[well, someone is going to be seeking Cardia out, once the trial comes to an end]

Miss Cardia? May we speak for a moment?

Comments

[discardia]

... Akechi.

[ Cardia looks... very, very tired. But, well, it's about what anyone would expect. ]

What do you need me for?

[doublecrows]

[and Akechi looks. . . sympathetic, as he does]

I wanted to commend you for your logic in discovering the murder weapon. It was an impressive bit of critical thinking.

[discardia]

Thank you. [ she says. Nice and subdued. ]

I just remembered one of my teachers saying that anything on the body could be made a weapon, if used properly.

[doublecrows]

Is that so. . .? Your teacher sounds quite wise. They're right, too; anything can be a murder weapon.

Though a shoe is, perhaps, the strangest weapon I've ever seen during my entire career.

[discardia]

Have you seen a lot of murders?

[ well, that's unfortunate. ]

[doublecrows]

[WHAT A BLUNT QUESTION]

I have.

[because he committed like, most of them]

I'm a consulting detective, and I work primarily homicide cases. It isn't always a pleasant job, but I take it very seriously.

[discardia]

That's incredible... aren't you very young? Working that closely with death must be difficult...

[doublecrows]

[a purposefully rueful smile]

It can be, at times. As callous as it may sound, I've gotten used to it.

Capturing killers and bringing them to justice is all very worth it, in the end.

[discardia]

... Then I'm glad they brought you here. Maybe we can stop anyone innocent from losing their lives.

[doublecrows]

[cardia is so trusting???]

. . . I'll do my very best, Miss Cardia. And I hope everyone else here does as well.

[discardia]

I'll do what I can, too. If nothing else, I can promise that.

[ of course she's trusting, she's an otome protag?? ]

[doublecrows]

[someone save this Otome protag from Akechi??]

I had no doubts about that. [he says with a light chuckle] I can already tell you're giving it your all.

[discardia]

My all wasn't really able to save anyone, though. So I have to try even harder.

[doublecrows]

Yes, that's right.

[drooping a bit]

We all have to try even harder from here on out.

[discardia]

... Yes. Then for now, let's both work hard.

[ surely Akechi, who is a good boy, will do this. ]

[doublecrows]

[SURELY HE WILL!!]

I believe that we both will. You don't strike me as the type of person who gives up so easily, after all.

[discardia]

Giving up wouldn't solve anything at this point.

[ so yeah. She's gonna fight. ]

[doublecrows]

It wouldn't. But there are people who would prefer to lie down and take the hand life has dealt them, rather than fight back.

[discardia]

Even here?

[doublecrows]

Even here.

As sad as that may sound.

[discardia]

... This... is probably the one place where no one should be like that.

[ or they're all going to get steamrolled by this stupid game. ]

[doublecrows]

It is. But not everyone in the world is strong, Miss Cardia.

[discardia]

I know. I wouldn't call myself strong, either. But--!!

[ FOR THE LOVE OF HOROLOGIUM, WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP IN A GAME WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU ]

[doublecrows]

[SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST]

[her offers her a smile]

Perhaps they only need someone like you to inspire then, Miss Cardia.

[discardia]

That's a lot of pressure, so please help me.

[doublecrows]

A lot of pressure? Perhaps. But something tells me you can weather it extremely well.

[discardia]

As long as you help me, I'll do my best.

[ he's not weaseling out of this. ]

[doublecrows]

[Cardia he isn't built for protagging!!]

Naturally. I'll be there very step of the way.

[but he can fake it]

[discardia]

... Thank you. I'll support you, too.

[doublecrows]

[a nod!]

That's all I had to say, for now. Until we meet again?

[discardia]

Yes. Until next time.

[ good talk!! ]

[doublecrows]

[GOOD TALK!!!]