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[Souji's been feeling reflective lately, thinking over some things. It's elicited a question that he himself isn't sure he can answer. He wants to find out if others can, so, after some deliberation about whether or not it's a good idea, he takes to the network to ask.]

If you were able to change something in your life at home, what would it be?

[He's not sure he'll even get any answers. It's kind of a personal question. But he's hoping that some people will respond, if only to help him think through things himself.]

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I have someone I'd like to apologize to for doubting them. I think that is the biggest change I'd make.

I think that could be pretty important, depending on the situation.

She has already forgiven me, but I can't help but want to apologize again anyway. Even if I felt like I was valid at the time... it doesn't make it seem any less fair of me to have assumed the worst. Especially since my job is to find the truth to begin with.

What kind of job is that?

[His "job" was similar in its goal.]

I'm a lawyer. A defense attorney to be specific... All of the evidence was pointing to her and while I didn't want to believe it I couldn't get the idea out of my head that she was guilty. Of course I'm happy my boss proved her innocence I still can't get over that I doubted her in the first place, you know?

I think I understand. [He's never been in the same situation, but it's a feeling he can still relate to, at least theoretically.] In my case, there's someone I could have suspected sooner, but didn't.

So the opposite of me, then.

[ But one with a potentially much more tragic outcome... He can acknowledge that much. ]

What happened, if it's alright that I ask?

I knew a killer, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt for a long time before really figuring it out.

[A beat.]

No one died during that time, at least.

I understand that... A detective ended up framing the friend I mentioned before. It took us far too long to realize the truth.

I'm glad that no one died while you figured it out... but that's still a hard thing to come to terms with. Did it work out in the end? Were you able to get him arrested?

[Wow, that story sounds way too familiar.]

Yes. In the end, everything turned out the way it should have, and he went to prison.

I'm glad to hear that... but I understand wanting to figure it out sooner. To save people from grief or worry.

You said he was a killer... wanting to protect past victims is a normal sentiment, I think.

[ If he could have stopped the murderer sooner in his own cases... that would have been the ideal. Then Clay wouldn't have been killed and he never would have blamed Athena for it. ]

I'm not sure I could have saved them...one of them was already dead by the time I entered the scene. But everything that came after that could have been different.

[It's hard not to imagine that if he'd done this or that differently, Namatame would never have started throwing people into the TV world. Or that it would have stopped if he'd just picked up on the hints Adachi was giving them sooner.]

It isn't your fault that it wasn't obvious... but I understand wishing you could go back and see things sooner. It's normal for a person to want to do what's right and help people.

[ A brief pause. ]

By that person arrested getting arrested though the future victims were saved and the past ones were avenged as well.

That's true.

[And without Souji's actions (alongside his friends), a lot of other people could have died as well. So really, he did everything he could have done.]

It's hard not to be hard on myself. I don't think I would be on anyone else.

I think that makes you a good person. Not everyone assumes responsibility for something that they couldn't help... and the fact that you wish you could do more makes me think you did everything in your power.

Try not to be too hard on yourself about something you tried your best on. Just let it be a learning experience.

Hopefully, I won't have to use that experience in the future.

I'm Souji, by the way.

[He knows his name shows up on the network ID thing, but he still likes to properly introduce himself.]

Definitely. I hope that things are peaceful from here on out.

[ But experience was good. It would help if he needed it. ]

It's nice to meet you, Souji. I've actually heard a bit about you from Minato... My name is Apollo.

From Minato?

[That doesn't entirely surprise him, actually. He and Minato are close.]

Well, it's nice to meet you, too. And thank you for answering.

When he was showing me around your name came up when we were talking about who all was here... He said that the two of you came up with the idea of a registry. I think that's a great idea, especially for newcomers.

[ Even if he hadn't seen any names he recognized, he couldn't imagine how relieving it would be for someone who did. He hoped his own signature could give someone else some peace of mind someday. ]

Of course. I know I haven't been here long, but I'd like to help however I can. I hope you find the answer you're looking for.

I'm not sure there is an answer. But it's nice knowing I'm not the only one who asks this kind of question.

If you ever want to talk again, I'm usually in the diner. You can come anytime.

That sounds nice. Thank you, Souji. I'll definitely see you around.

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