Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

[carnivorously]

[Well, that was one hell of a trial. Kogami’s tired and hungry. He’ll get his staple hamburgers, but maybe he’ll be nice enough to help make some for everyone.

So there’s a note that goes out:]

Food in the dining hall – K, P, Q, & R

[It’s quickly written and straightforward.

And indeed there is food. There’s a shitton of hamburgers made by Kogami and Rose, the sliced cheese prepared by Pizzaz, and cake by QQ. Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other such condiments are set out as well as an assortment of buns.

There’s not lighted candles this time, so it’s clear that the usual preparers didn’t help with this ‘buffet’. (Well, if it wasn’t clear with the note).

So rest, relax, and well, you’re probably going to have to get your own drinks this time, sorry…]

Comments

[carnivorously]

[He's silent for a moment, taking a bite of his burger.]

The fact that you slipped her sleeping pills so she wouldn't commit a murder indicates that you know her rather well. Once again, what is your relationship to Tohsaka?

[Sorry, he's ignoring her niceties. He... wants an answer.]

[imaginex]

I answered that question to Greed-san.

We're both mages. And... I wanted her alive.

[carnivorously]

Why?

[Sorry, he's interrogating her now. He notes she looks uncomfortable, but this... could be important information for the group.]

I get that you idolize her, but before you seemed rather distant. Yet your actions indicate that you know her much better than just a schoolmate.

1/2

[imaginex]

Yes, I was distant.

Before, we had to be. We didn't know how long we'd be stuck in this place, just like we didn't know that some of us come from different... places. It looks strange if mages start openly associating with each other, so we hid that.

[She speaks calmly, uncomfortable or not, glancing down at her coffee]

... But I'll answer your question, Shinya-san, as a thank-you for being so kind to me thus far:

[imaginex]

There's a boy back home that I need her to take care of. Someone very precious to me.

In case I never wake up, I... I need her to be there with him.

[... Her shoulders angle into a slope, her voice growing quiet]

She would've been caught by you in the trial had she killed anyone. And I couldn't let that happen. So I took her out of the equation.

[carnivorously]

I would have caught her if she had done it. It was rather obvious from the get go that she hadn't.

[Some people tried to pin it on her, but Kogami knew. There was no way she could have feasibly pulled it off, at least without an accomplice. Given there didn't appear to be a second person involved via the evidence, that right there ruled her out to him.

That and Kogami knew that they were deal with a male suspect.]

Though is that the whole truth, what you just told me?

[imaginex]

She would've done something to someone if I hadn't intervened. Tohsaka-senpai wouldn't lie about killing someone, I'm afraid.

[But she sighs that out, settling backwards, fatigue setting in harder under this line of questioning. She glances at Kogami from between her bangs]

... What else do you want me to say?

[carnivorously]

[He's not even sure what he wants her to say. Just he gets the feeling there's more to it. The girl's seemed close today, hinting they had some sort of relationship. Perhaps it is a working one, however, it just... bothers him.]

I don't know. However-- ['I understand that you can't trust me...' He wants to say that, but he's not the kind of person to go for a low blow.] --just know people have grown suspicious of your connection to Tohsaka thanks to this trial.

[imaginex]

[If her expression wasn't closed off before, it only gets worse. Her hands are trembling. Even if it was meant to be a warning, he accidentally hit a nerve]

I'm aware. If I could've done anything else, I would've, alright--


[You think she wants Tohsaka-senpai glaring at her with contempt?]

[carnivorously]

[He can tell he struck a nerve. Their relationship... something about it strikes her and causes her to react like this which is probably why she hides it. It's... intriguing in a weird way.]

Yet you didn't. You acted hastily to make sure she wouldn't murder as if you were absolutely sure she would. It's almost like you're upset with yourself for deceiving her.

[We're going the asshole route. Sorry, Sakura.]

[imaginex]

[It's the route everyone back home always takes with her; she didn't expect differently here.

... Though apparently, she's not going to favor Kogami's words with a response this time. Her expression is smoothening, going blank - retreating, as it were. Old habits die hard today, and she goes as emotionless as a puppet without its strings]

[carnivorously]

I take your lack of response to mean that I'm correct in my reasoning.

[Unless she fights him (and without any evidence she's lying), he's going down this route. He wanted to help protect the girl and hell, they started off friendly, but it's clear that the friendly relationship they had with one another may be no more.

...and truthfully? Kogami should be sad, but he's not. Not after he's ruined so many friendships back home because of who he is.]

[imaginex]

You're free to think whatever makes you happiest, Shinya-san.

[Fight him? No. Sakura isn't geared for things like that. She takes hits until the other party gets disinterested and walks away.]

Are there any other assumptions you feel like sharing?

[carnivorously]

What makes me happiest is when I'm right.

[His eyes are focused on her in a glare. He's stubborn about this and so is she. It could be a strange sort of showdown between the two, if he's being honest, but it's okay.

...it's okay....

...latent criminals don't have friends.]

Not exactly. I just wanted to know your relationship. Maybe I shouldn't get too close to you in case you think it's okay to drug me too. Then again, I'm used to it. If I do something against my Inspector's wishes, she knocks me out.

[OH-HO-KAY! He'll give her a chance to respond. However, he may leave after that because even he knows that was pretty fucking low.

But that's okay.

It's how it should be.]

[imaginex]

[...

No, it's fine.

It appears Sakura isn't experienced enough in these kind of verbal brawls, not like she pretends, and every muscle in her face goes lax with shock. It might've been simpler to put a bullet in her heart.

Kogami wins this round]



... May I ask you something? [Before he leaves, if he looks like he's going to get up. Her voice isn't emotionless; it's just dead now]

[carnivorously]

[Well, he struck a nerve. To be honest, he actually meant to do that. This girl has a heart, has some emotion she wants to hang on to, however, it shatters rather easily. Kogami can give gentle words (and it's usually in his ethical code to be kind to others), but it seems when he does to Sakura he just gets distant responses. Which lead to this...]

Yes. Ask away.

[imaginex]

You said your secret was that you killed someone--

Was it true?

[carnivorously]

I think so. I don't have confirmation that I killed the man I wanted to, however, I'm pretty sure that I did.

[No remorse. No sadness. He just hopes it's true. That's awful of him, isn't it?]

[imaginex]

[It probably is.

And Sakura knows exactly what it says about herself that she doesn't care]

I see.

... I hope it was the one you wanted, then.

[carnivorously]

So do I. Then I can finally rest.

[And know that he got his revenge.

Well, this imploded. Kogami will get up with his food.]

Get some rest.

[imaginex]

[She will, but first --

A secret for a secret, yes? It's only polite. Sakura has manners]

... You were right, by the way.

[She stares through the window while Kogami stands]

You really shouldn't get too close.


I would've drugged you too if I thought I had to.

[carnivorously]

[Kogami's silent for a moment. She really is like a distrusting Inspector...

...and that's okay.]

I'll keep that in mind, just in case.

[Because he knows himself. He's probably going to fuck up here eventually... and someone is going to need to leash him.

She'll... be his failsafe.

In any case, if she doesn't call out to him after that, he'll leave. They... can try to talk later, if it's possible.]