- I'm sure to a law-abiding citizen like yourself, we're all scum of the earth who deserve— - I'm pretty scummy myself, Han. Defense attorney, remember?

Professional jealousy? How ugly. Why can't these underworld overlords just bury the hatchet, get together and screw over the consumer like reasonable people do?

- ...Forget it. You all can go to hell, for all I care. - ... - ...Oh, for... No, not you!

There are so many unspoken rules that can't be taught, only learned, and... I often struggle to grasp them.

...I broke her fidget-tubbies.

- ...What about the money? - (You're starting to sound like a real human.)

Watching stupid movies and trying to papier-mâché an ill-fitted mask of humanity out of the scraps you could tear out of magazines. Practicing expressions and memorizing lines and... And trying to get something to take root and grow despite knowing it'd have nothing to feed on. ...Stupid.

... This was all so stupid. Honestly, I'm not the ego-driven type. In fact I pride myself on my humility.

God damn it, Sosuke—who doesn't hate your ass!?

I've got good news for you Detective: journalists still exist. I could introduce you to one. You could even take a photograph!

I cannot open this door.

- Tch. ...Who the hell deserves shit like this...? - (Deserves?) (...What does that have to do with anything?)

...It's hard to get away with murder these days. People are still presumed innocent, at least on paper- But by the time they're in cuffs, there's hardly any shadows of doubt left. Because this whole world's lit-up. Mapped-out. Never unknown and Always Online.

- Glad to be back! Did y'all miss me? - ... - ... - ... - ...Forget I said anything. I'll just go crawl under a rock and die while you make your opening statements.

So we're mortal enemies? That sucks. 'Nother life then, eh? But I'll still play nice if you will.

The loud one—"Tanks?"—is pressing a barrel directly into my forehead. The metal feels cool on my skin. Reminds me of a stethoscope. Breathe in... And try not to sigh at the theatrics.

- ...Were you expecting me to fall to pieces? "Real boys" grieve in all kinds of ways, Pinocchio. - ...And some don't grieve at all, it seems. - I'm a cold woman. Sorry to disappoint.

...Sorry, Serra—whatever you are. You were just born wrong. Not your fault, necessarily. ...If it were up to me, you'd get points for trying.

...It's hard to get away with murder these days. People are still presumed innocent, at least on paper- But by the time they're in cuffs, there's hardly any shadows of doubt left. Because this whole world's lit-up. Mapped-out. Never unknown and Always Online.

- ...Every time is like the first time. - I hope that everyone is like you, then. It doesn't seem like the kind of thing anyone should get used to. - (...) (Sorry to disappoint you, then. (There are no people like me.)

- It's no trouble. Gave me time to enjoy my cigarette. - Cigarette? Like tobacco? ...What are you, eighty?

True 'nuff! Chip, swipe, pin, tap... Just let me buy the damn balloon animal, ya clown!

There are so many unspoken rules that can't be taught, only learned, and... I often struggle to grasp them.

- You're looking for a coldblooded, faceless, perfectionist killer who you think has no persistent MO or victim type. - In a city with an eight-digit population... - Well. Good luck! - I don't need luck. I only need more information.

...There's no sadism or hatred or intimacy in a single bullet to the heart. Killing your girlfriend or her look-alikes usually is, if nothing else, a lot less...sterile. If you ask me.

...Sorry, Serra—whatever you are. You were just born wrong. Not your fault, necessarily. ...If it were up to me, you'd get points for trying.

- ...True. - True?

- ... ...The hell...? ...Why the hell won't this thing light...? - Adonai. You have your cigarette backwards. - ...

- Detective. Did you just leak the confidential medical data of a non-suspect to a third party? - Uh. Hey, you don't have to report... How about I buy you an ice cream or something? - Bribery, too? You're digging yourself pretty deep. - ...Is it still bribery if I'm the government official?

- ...Have I seen you at a game before? Maybe up by the thirties? - ...Sorry. Must've been some other redhead. - Damn. Thought I'd finally gotten my second chance at getting that beauty's contacts. - You practice that one a lot? - Practiced it a little. How's it working? - Keep practicing.

- ...I was not defenseless just because I wasn't carrying a gun. - ...Oh? - I had my sword. - (So lame...!) - So cool...!

- It's no trouble. Gave me time to enjoy my cigarette. - Cigarette? Like tobacco? ...What are you, eighty?

- so youre like just asking for my advice? the aura loss is incredible - Not going to attempt to parse that - i doubt you ever could my generation's sense of humor is practically impregnable - It was a very basic non-sequitur, Auntie It just wasn't funny

- Are we certain we need the peanut gallery? - ... Let it not be said that House Ikariya is not accommodating of its guests. We're more than capable of compensating for this...nut allergy you allude to. - That's...so sweet of you!

- Allo, mon cur! - ...It's pronounced coeur— - (I know how it's pronounced.)

- ...True. - True?

So we're mortal enemies? That sucks. 'Nother life then, eh? But I'll still play nice if you will.

- Hey! I said I finally got the windows lined up right in the ARCS! - You didn't say that. At least, not aloud. - Thank you for always listening, Serra. But I said it just now, so whatever—

Could be an issue of skill! ...Or. Maybe it's not something that can be seen, no matter how hard you look. ...But it's there. I guarantee it.

...The last time I saw him, he was alive. He smiled, and he told me he would see me soon. ...Now he is dead. Something is gone. And I can't find the difference.

...It's hard to get away with murder these days. People are still presumed innocent, at least on paper- But by the time they're in cuffs, there's hardly any shadows of doubt left. Because this whole world's lit-up. Mapped-out. Never unknown and Always Online.

...If it were up to me, you'd get points for trying. Trying to be... something more. Trying to be something at all. Or anything other than what you are.

... This was all so stupid. Honestly, I'm not the ego-driven type. In fact I pride myself on my humility.

- That's pretty good shooting, isn't it? - Hitting the bullseye at the shooting range is 'good shooting.' Doing it six times in a row is great. ...But shooting six people with accuracy like that...? - ...It's a whole different beast. - Takes a certain kind of monster—a real freak.

- You're looking for a coldblooded, faceless, perfectionist killer who you think has no persistent MO or victim type. - In a city with an eight-digit population... - Well. Good luck! - I don't need luck. I only need more information.

- ...Ah. I just remembered. Do you think the Adjutant assigned to this particular case— - Obviously, it's gonna be me. Obviously. I mean that's a gimme, EASY. - (...How?)

...It was stupid, of course. And futile. And pointless. Spending hours in front of a TV or laying in bed staring at your phone... Watching stupid movies and trying to papier-mâché an ill-fitted mask of humanity out of the scraps you could tear out of magazines.

...They cover utilities at the rock you live under...?

God damn it, Sosuke—who doesn't hate your ass!?

- You're looking for a coldblooded, faceless, perfectionist killer who you think has no persistent MO or victim type. - In a city with an eight-digit population... - Well. Good luck! - I don't need luck. I only need more information.