entranceway | [Video]

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[Who has two metal thumbs and looks really confused? This guy. Have yet another of those giant robots that keep showing up.

This one looks distinctly like a very traditional Japanese police officer, though. He veen has a little crest on his chest that looks like the lapels of a jacket. He speaks very cautiously and is extremely formal.]

Excuse me... if anyone is here, would you mind telling me what is going on? I was resting one moment, and I just woke up here.

If this is some kind of criminal scheme, I'll let you know right now, you won't be getting away with it.

If it isn't... a little assistance and an explanation would be wonderful.

Also, if anyone has seen a child around? He's small, about nine years old, his name is Tomonaga Yuuta. He was with me before I woke here. If you've seen him, please tell me.

[He seems visibly anxious about that last part.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hn.

You caught on much quicker than your obnoxious friend.

I never even met you, shinewbie.

... If you know Shadowmaru as you claim to, you wouldn't have had to.

You're right, I should have just recognized you by your voice.

Or left it alone altogether.

Believe me, I would have rather ditched you after learning what kind of person you are.

Then go.

Gladly.

Good.

Great!

Fine!

Kagerou! I can't believe it! You're truly alive? That's wonderful... if only Shadowmaru were here, he'd just about leap out of his plating!

[Well somebody missed out on the hostility. Though he does serious up.]

Are you alright? How did you end up here? The same way Gunmax and I did? How long have you been here?

[... what?]

[He... doesn't know how to react to that. Or answer. There's just an awkward silence. He'd been expecting coldness, at least.]

[Truly alive...? What?]

I... don't understand. I saw him minutes ago... Why would it matter that I was here...?

[Not that he wouldn't be glad to see him -- just. Something is off about that phrasing.]

I crashed. I recovered. It's been over a week.

... Hmm.

It seems strange things really are afoot here.

Back home, you... you were destroyed, despite all efforts. Your A.I. was abducted by Excellent Co and you. You sank in a submarine.

It seems there are some time anomalies. I just saw Gunmax, but he says he has been here a few days.

You wouldn't be opposed to working together to figure this out, would you Kagerou?

[It's fortunate his face isn't visible. He wouldn't want the sudden look of... horror? Regret? Denial? All of the above -- to be seen.]

[Destroyed...]

[Then it was all for -- all the running. The fighting. The meeting in the dark -- all for nothing? He feels shaky, suddenly, as if he's about to fall over, his legs no longer wanting to support him.]

[-- live on to your heart's content --]

... I... I don't believe you.

[But that would explain the nets. Wouldn't it. He just doesn't -- he can't believe this.]

[Sorry, Deckerd. Your request is sort of lost in the background of everything else.]

You... didn't know?

I apologize. I should not so carelessly have dropped that on you.

[He's quickly catching onto this time rift issue.]

Perhaps you came from an earlier point.

I... no.

I didn't -- because it can't be true!

[It was supposed to be all right. It couldn't all have been for nothing.]

Kagerou...

I'm sorry.

[There's a heavy, clattering sound as he finally sits down. He just can't stand. Not after that.]

[He can't actually feel sick, but it's close.]

... so everything was nothing more than a waste of effort.

I wouldn't say that. You... saved Shadowmaru's life, or so he told me. And the man who abducted you was brought to justice.

I know that's probably not much but-

[Oh he feels so bad.]

[Saved his life.]

[Yes. That... was something. Wasn't it? So why doesn't it erase these other feelings?]

I couldn't fulfill my obligation to him... do what he told me to do.

What comfort is justice, if I couldn't do the last thing he ever asked of me?

What... was it that he asked of you?

... He told me to live.

[hah. wow, that comes out bitter.]

You're alive here, aren't you?

[HE DOES HAVE A POINT.]

You may not be able to see each other, but you're okay here, right?

I... am. Yes.

[YES BUT THAT'S NOT -- ]

... Is he?

[Because, suddenly, that is a very, very pressing concern.]

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