Kaede was furious, but tried to maintain what little composure she had left. "What the hell did you do with my boyfriend, Shirogane-san?!"
"Listen, I can plainly explain..."
"No more long-winded monologues." Maki raised a knife toward her. "Talk or die."
"Hold on, I'm about to-"
Kaito clenched his fist. "Dammit, Shirogane! I won't hit a girl, but I'm getting really close to my limit. No more games!"
"Please let me talk."
The three glared at her with the intensity of twenty-thousand internet trolls.
"Saihara-kun is fine. You'll see that for yourself soon. I've done nothing wrong."
"Funny, coming from the girl who had us participate in a killing game." The SHSL Pianist crossed her arms.
"You all willingly and knowingly signed up for it. Anyway, Team Danganronpa has been dissolved and its employees were absorbed into the Togami Group. But I digress." Tsumugi adjusted her glasses with her index finger. "Now, on the subject of Shuichi Saihara...he's been on vacation."
"A likely story. That's it. I'm going to play jump rope with your entrails." Maki stepped forward, causing the blue-haired cosplayer to step back.
"I'm telling the truth! Honest!"
"Where is he?"
"I don't really no! He just went off on his own after he helped me out."
"Helped you out? With what?!" Kaede nearly growled.
"I just wanted to cosplay him, okay?!"
The three had weird looks on their faces. It was like she was speaking a foreign language at that point in time.
"People say its really conceited to get attached to a character that you helped develop, but I couldn't help it okay? Saihara-kun is very cool."
"Oh, is that what this is about? You wanted him all to yourself?"
"N-No! I didn't love him! I just found his character very compelling, that's all. I don't do self ship!"
"Bullshit!" Maki and Kaito found themselves recoiling at Kaede's sudden outburst. "I saw the Director's Cut. The love hotel ring any bells, huh?!"
"Now just one second...that whole thing wasn't entirely my idea! The producers wanted something to boost ratings, so we went more risque!"
"You still did it willingly. I saw it! You didn't make it wholesome like Harukawa-san's."
Maki started to blush madly and looked down. "H-Hey. Please don't bring that up. But Akamatsu is right. You probably enjoyed it."
"Stop stop stop! I'll be a laughing stock in the writing community if I actually did it. I was just filling the role needed. Besides, it was just an AI doppelganger based on my personality!"
"...those were some memories I didn't want to relive."
The four looked behind them and Shuichi Saihara was stading in the open doorway, looking straight at them.
"So you had your Alter Ego similar to AI Junko Enoshima, was it?"
"W-Well... I don't want to be a liar, but I really did enjoy our online chats before. I really did. That's why I was so pumped up to be your rival."
Kaito had a look of shock on his face. "W-Wait, hold on! I'm his rival!"
"Saihara-kun?!" Kaede almost ran right into him but stopped right before she made contact. "You...you didn't call. You should've called."
"Sorry. I wasn't in an area with good reception. But I kept in touch through texts."
"I wanted to hear your voice." She held her right arm with her left hand. "Where did you go anyway?"
"The idea was that I would take a short vacation while Shirogane-san tried to act like me... but I don't think she was able to really do that."
"Your close friends would see through me right away. And Oma-kun." Tsumugi raised her hand and pointed her finger upwards. "I mean, it's plain to see that it happened just now. But I managed to help out the others, just like you asked."
"Thanks, I guess. But this ended up being more trouble than it was worth." Shuichi sighed. "Sorry for making you guys worry. I was taking a vacation in Jabberwock Island... I needed some space. But apparently the cell lines were still down from the Disaster earlier this year."
"Were you having another episode, Saihara-kun?"
"Partly." The SHSL Detective looked down at the ground. "But I'm an introvert. I needed some time to recharge."
"Oh..." Kaede looked down. "Sorry. I guess I got so excited that I...I didn't realize."
"It wasn't just your fault. We've all hung out with him a lot." Maki pointed out. "I'll give you your space. That's something I can sympathize with. I'll also let Yumeno know."
"Thanks, Harukawa-san."
"Hey I haven't seen you in a while, Saihara! We should hang out...uh...if you're feeling up for it."
"I'm fine now, Momota-kun. We really should." A small, gentle smile appeared on the blue-haired protagonist's face.
Kaito grinned. "Aw yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Tsumugi was busy trying to escape past the four when Maki stopped her.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"You're done with me, right? I didn't want to continue intruding on your little moment."
"Not a chance."
"Yeah." Kaede also blocked the cosplayer's way. "We're taking you back with us to HQ."
Sweat started to fall and bead from the blue-haired woman's forehead. She sighed and limped forward in unceremonious defeat.
A building crumbled from the sheer force of someone striking it, while a cloaked figure was jumping away from it. Said figure turned to the side and blocked a strike from Aoi Asahina midair, who tried to kick the person in the gut. The dust cleared and Mukuro Ikusaba leaped toward the figure as they went into a dive. Grabbing onto a building's ledge, the mysterious person had a good grip and lifted themselves with their arms alone. Once atop the building, they started to run until they were intercepted by Kyoko Kirigiri. She attempted to grapple the person into submission, but the person swerved and ducked away from the former detective.
The three women attempted to converge on the unknown fighter, but that person just ran away.
"Man!" Hina groaned. "That guy's slippery...or something. I can't even land a hit!"
"The target doesn't seem all too interested in fighting. They're able to read our movements easily." Kyoko adjusted her gloves. "Were you able to get a look, Ikusaba-san?"
"No. I wasn't. But it's clearly a male with some kind of mask on."
"It's fine. It's all going to plan...because there's clearly a goal involved."
"Huh?" The former SHSL Swimmer sounded out. "And what's that supposed to be."
Kyoko closed her eyes and formed a close-mouthed smirk. "We don't have much time. This way."
The three females continued to run down the block where they encountered Junko swinging her bat wildly at their quarry. The unknown male was doing his best to keep himself away from the crazed fashion icon with limited success.
"Upupupupu. Looks like you're just trying to get by with reading my movements." She taunted. "But you're kinda slooooow. Is it because you're trying not to hit me? I'll definitely hit you hard if you don't!"
The male didn't really respond other than with an annoyed grunt.
"Now's our chance!"
Kyoko, Mukuro and Hina closed in trying to restrain the man. In response to the sudden movement from all four of the women, he stepped back and went to try to get away. Right behind him was an unexpected fifth participant. Makoto stretched out his arms (as wide as a 160cm person could, at least) and blocked the path. Somewhat shocked by the turn of events, the disguised man stopped just enough for Junko to graze him in the face with said bat as he tried to dodge too late. With the mask absorbing most of the blow, it launched right off his face and revealed the person underneath the cloak. Leaning back to recover from the blow, he looked straight at all five of them.
Makoto was the first to react with a shocked expression. "W-Wait...why do you look like...?"
Kyoko, Hina and Mukuro had varying degrees of uncomfortable looks on their faces, while Junko's face was completely neutral for a good five seconds. Then her face twisted into a devilish grin as she looked straight at the stranger. He gave a look at Makoto and Junko and replied with his own grin, as he threw a smoke pellet on the ground. Taking all five of them by surprise, the smoke cleared and he was gone.
"Hold on...what was all that about?!" Hina yelled, dumbfounded.
"That should be impossible." Mukuro glanced over at the former harbingers of hope and despair. "There's no way that someone like him should be walking around."
Kyoko grabbed her grin as she thought. "Ah...it may be related to the strange phenomena that happened recently."
"A pretty convenient explanation. You sure, though?" Junko chuckled while still grinning. "You think there are more of them running around?"
"Possibly. Hopefully some with other...defining features."
"Aww... your jealousy's showing up again, Kirigiri."
Hina pushed her two fingers together. "Y-You think there's more? Maybe there might be...?"
Makoto shook himself out of shock. "Guys! He's getting away!"
"It's too late! He's probably long gone by now!" Junko stuck her tongue out and raised her hands up, as if she was imitating a clown. "Too bad, sooooo sad."
"Junko!"
"She's right. Someone like that won't be easily caught up to. Especially now that we know what we're dealing with. Somewhat." Kyoko sounded exhausted. "I can only imagine more incidents like this will show up due to the...somewhat loose... laws of time and space of this place."
"When you put it like that, then I guess we shouldn't worry to much, riiiiight?" The fashionista's eyes and face made her look like she was trying to be cutesy. "Unless you wanna find your vewwy own...?"
The former SHSL Hope sighed and placed his face in the palm of his hand. "Sounds like things'll get more complicated from here."
"Enough about that! We're supposed to be going anyway! See ya, losers!" Junko grabbed Makoto by the arm and dragged him off.
The former SHSL Soldier looked distant as she watched them go off, but then took a deep breath.
"The only thing I can say is that I...may pity that man." Kyoko pointed out.
"No kidding." Mukuro replied.
"Thank you for letting me stay with you, Hinata-san." Keebo Idabashi bowed deeply in front of the former Izuru Kamakura as he just rubbed his neck in embarrassment.
"You don't need to thank me. You're the one that actually made this place livable. I should be the one thanking you. Guess you've finally got enough saved up to get your own place?"
"It was thanks to Togami-san's generous reward as well as Iruma-san deciding to pool money with me. We managed to get a place that would make a suitable workshop."
Hajime gave off a crooked smile. "A workshop? You've decided to pursue robotics?"
"It was mostly her idea. But... I suppose I'm curious. My alter ego was supposed to be the SHSL Robot...but I think I like being human more. Maybe it might be my calling to become a professor of robotics?"
"Professor Idabashi? I think that has a nice ring to it."
"It...does, actually."
Monaca looked boredly from the laptop she recently bought while sipping from a can of melon Panta. "Thanks for the food."
"You're welcome." Keebo replied, lacking any warmth in his voice.
"It'll be a lot more quiet without you around."
"You have a knack for finding new roommates easily. I'm sure you'll find someone to fill up the vacancy as easily as you did replacing Komaeda-san with me."
"Was I that obvious?" The former reserve course student sighed. "Actually, do I even want another roomie? It's already super crowded with three people in here... not to mention the regular visitors."
"You enjoy it a lot."
"Yeah, I do. Makes me forget that I used to be lonely."
Keebo gave off a small smile. "Then I think I have an idea of who your next roommate will be. Take care."
The white-haired youth picked up his suitcase and left the apartment without another word. The only sounds left over was the small click clacking from Monaca's keyboard. Hajime walked over to the couch and slouched in it, sighing for a while. The lonely quietness was interrupted by a knock on the door. The brown-haired man stood up and walked to the door, opening it to one Chiaki Nanami.
"Hey, Chiaki."
"Hajime-kun! Hi!"
"Your sister not with you today?"
"Nope. She had things to do, I guess."
"Come on in."
Chiaki smiled and stepped past Hajime as he closed the door behind her. Monaca glanced back at her for a moment, then immediately went back to her business on the monitor.
"Where's Idabashi-kun?"
"He's moved out today. I just wanted to help him out so he could get on his feet."
"That's great. Good for him. So...how are you holding up?"
"Huh?"
"Komaeda-kun was your friend, wasn't he?"
"In... a manner of speaking, sure. Still annoyed the hell out of me though. I should be asking you the same question."
"I'm glad he was able to pass peacefully. That's all I could ask for someone who's been through as much as he had."
"Just like you to take pity on a sinner, huh? Guess that's why you're with me..."
"Oh come on." She puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. "It's not out of pity you know!"
"I know, I know. Just can't fully bury that part of me entirely."
"Hajime-kun!"
"Sorry. Getting my original personality is the whole package. But enough about that, did you want to do something today?"
"Huh? I just wanted to hang out. Aren't boyfriends and girlfriends supposed to hang out? Or am I doing this wrong?"
"Nah. You have a point." Hajime walked over and slouched on his couch. "Just got a lot on my mind lately."
Chiaki went over and sat cross-legged next to him. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to try and figure out what to do from here. I'm no good at being a mentor, apparently."
"Well... being one isn't about talents, you know? It's supposed to be all about fostering growth and stuff."
"Remind me to never try it again. It was interesting to actually fail at something but it wasn't surprising."
"Huh? Do you not like failing?"
"Nope. Kinda was the whole reason for me becoming some kinda superman in the first place."
"I'm still proud of you for trying, though."
Hajime looked over at her for a few moments and smiled. "Thanks. It means a lot."
She smiled back and leaned right next to him. Monaca was busy trying to ignore their moment, trying to absorb herself in the game she was playing.
"I wanted to ask you something, Chiaki."
"Yeah, Hajime-kun?"
"Do you want to move in with me?"
"H-Huh?!" She recoiled and buried herself in his chest.
"Uh... something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong. I was just...caught off-guard." Chiaki took a deep breath and looked up at him from where she was buried. "Did you really mean it?"
"I did. I'd like to live together with you."
The SHSL Gamer was thinking for a long while. "B-But the dorm..."
"I'm sure it's cramped with both you and Ai Nanami living in the same room." Hajime argued. "Besides... you don't exactly have to worry about school since you both basically share the workload for one Gamer."
"That'd be unfair to her."
"I don't think it would be. Not like that much would change. You'd show up on one week, and she would on the other."
"You planned this all out?"
"Just now."
"Right. All those INT-based talents." Chiaki sighed. "Okay. I think I'll give it a try. But we have to ask Yukizome-nee about that."
"...not your parents?"
"She's scarier." Chiaki hid her head in her hoodie with a small frown.
A laugh came from the former SHSL Hope as Monaca groaned.
"Nishishi! Wow, you gave up without much of a fight huh? No dazzling final battle? No daring final plan? That's...kind of a really big let down." Kokichi looked so disappointed that it really did look genuine.
The former participants of the 53 installation of Danganronpa were all assembled as they looked at Tsumugi Shirogane.
Himiko pointed at her. "Nyeh... if you try any strange magic spells, I'll blast you straight to hell! Or at least hit you with this pointy stick from the bar."
"So what's the verdict on her? Is she going to serve time?" Ryoma asked.
"Well... she hadn't done anything actually illegal. And we all signed up willingly. That'd be kind of hard to prove, even during a inquiry." Shuichi replied. "And it's not like she's part of the Alliance in the first place."
Keebo was crossing his arms and not speaking up at all.
"Screw that! Send this bitch through the ringer!" Miu grit her teeth with a glare right at her. "Getting choked to death fucking hurt!"
"Hey, we can't just do something like that. We're supposed to be professionals, right?" Kaito countered.
"Indeed. Everything is stacked against us." Kirumi frowned. "I would advise not seeking out vigilante justice in this fashion."
Gonta adjusted his tie. "I agree. I don't blame her much, either."
Kaede smiled. "Wow! Those speech therapy classes really worked, Gokuhara-kun!"
"Kehehe. He's a good student. As expected from someone who would willingly put themselves through a rigorous scientific program." Korekiyo proudly exclaimed, while maintaining a social distance from everyone else. "Also very accomodating."
Tenko sighed. "Let's focus back on Shirogane-san. What are they going to plan to do with her, Saihara-san?"
"Naegi-san said that she should do some community service at the very least. There's no legal basis to punish her in the first place."
"Hmm... and I thought he was just going to let her go. Guess that's another male I don't have to be wary of. Even though he has those weird rumors surrounding him..."
A nervous laugh between Shuichi and Kaede happened at the same time.
"I don't have any hard feelings myself. I signed up for two of the games, after all." Rantaro added. "Sounds like we're just trying to make ourselves feel better at this point."
The rest of the group went silent as the SHSL Adventurer was pointing out the obvious.
"Nyahaha! Maybe she can help me with my new art piece." Angie held her hands from behind her back with a bright smile. "Was Atua based on something? Maybe Tsumugi was Atua herself!"
The blue-haired glasses girl had her eyes shifting from left to right, trying not to say anything that would worsen her situation. She was especially trying to avoid Maki's glare in particular, who was looking straight at her the entire time. Tsumugi wasn't seeing any weapons, but had a feeling she would pull one out immediately if she tried anything.
"I was hoping that this would be little more cathartic." Kaede said. "But...it's not really, is it?"
"Really? Not for you?" Maki slyly asked. "She framed you in the first place so that the game could continue."
"I know that. But...honestly...I kinda didn't really think about that when we finally cornered her." She gave a long look at her boyfriend. "I wouldn't say I'm super forgiving but I guess I'm kind of in the same boat as Amami-kun is."
"Is it because you got yours?" A darkened smile came from the SHSL Supreme Leader's face.
"Probably. But I signed up for the stupid game for stupid reasons. So I can't really judge her for doing her job."
"...Akamatsu-san..."
"Just stay away from Saihara-kun."
"Er...right."
A nervous sweat came from the SHSL Detective. "Is this it? Are you all satisfied?"
Miu sighed and pulled on one of Keebo's artificial arms. "Bah. Whatever. I'm done with this shit anyway. C'mon, Idabashi! Lets leave these losers and do some hanging out."
"I'm not into that sort of thing."
The SHSL Inventor turned very red while others in the group laughed among themselves. "You fucking asshole!"
The house provided by Byakuya to Komaru and Toko was fairly spacious – a rarity to be seen in a modern day, non-ruined Japan. Much less in a city like Kyoto. Komaru was furiously drawing on her tablet while Toko was holding her head as she was typing on her laptop. There was a quiet between them both as they were focusing on their respective sets of work. After a few more minutes of hardcore working, Komaru cheered out of nowhere and it was so loud that the former SHSL Literary Girl almost fell out of her chair.
"K-Komaru?! Why're you so loud."
"It's done, Toko-chan! It's done it's done it's done!"
"Ugh... are you talking about your manga? Gross..."
"Come on, you promised you were gonna read it when I was done."
"Did I? I...I shouldn't have then..."
Komaru grabbed hold of her girlfriend while she flinched from both the touch and the thought of having to read anime.
"I-I'm not gonna hold back on my opinions, you know! You'll regret this!"
"It's okay. I know how mean you can be. I live with you, remember?"
"Is that supposed to make me feel good? Your b-breath tickles you know..."
Komaru was too busy snuggling up with her to give a proper response while Toko herself could only blush and look nervously down at her fingers. Her smile turned slightly lewd as Kotoko walked in.
"Aw, come on. Are you two always in the mood or what?"
Komaru almost bowled the poor purple-haired glasses girl over while she was starled. "Utsugi-san?! When'd you guys get home?"
"You two were busy with work again, weren't you? It's already late afternoon! Kinda adorbs, though..."
"Anyway forget about that. It's done! Wanna see it?"
"Your manga? Ummm... sure, I guess?"
Komaru excitedly went over to the small pink-haired girl while Toko just huffed in annoyance and went back to finish up her latest work.
"Wow, you actually have good skills. I'm surprised, big sis Komaru!"
"Hey! Of course I can draw. I've always wanted to be a mangaka."
"But... I got one question, if you don't mind?"
"Yes?"
"Why does the protagonist look like me, except older?"
"Oh, um... well, I guess I was inspired by you."
"Er... really? Do people want to read stuff like that?"
"N-No, it's not a dark work or anything. I don't think I want to start off with something so heavy."
Masaru butt in during the conversation. "Hey? How come she's the main character? I'd be a better hero."
"Well it's a romance story. I wanted to start with something not too complex at first. Y'know...just to get my name out there."
"Romance is complex, you know?" Toko replied while not looking back at Komaru. "D-Don't say it's easy! It totally isn't! At least when you want t-to do it right."
"Yeah, but I'd totally get all the romance."
Jataro came in from behind them. "R-Really? You're a stud, Daimon-kun?"
"Hey! I don't want to hear that from you!"
"S-Sorry..."
"That sounds something super childish to be upset about." Nagisa scolded. "The world doesn't revolve around you."
"Hehe. Maybe not now, but soon the world will know all about Masaru Daimon!"
"Keep telling yourself that."
"Heeeyyy, Shingetsu-kun. Wanna see something interesting?"
"Sure, I guess? What is it?"
Kotoko swiped over to a frame where the heroine was kissing a strangely familiar.
"U-Um...a kiss?"
"Yep! That guy looks like you, doesn't he?"
Nagisa was shocked into embarrassment. "Huh?! W-Wait, did you draw this character based on me?"
"Yeah. You guys have a cute relationship." Komaru smiled.
"We're not in a relationship!"
"Huh?! Are you sure?"
"Could've fooled me." Toko added.
"Aww, but you're actually really cute." Kotoko slyly added. "Maybe you'd want to kiss for real?"
"W-Waah...?! Stop teasing me!" Nagisa immediately retreated to his room.
"Sheesh. I always say this...but for someone so perverted, he can be so pure!" The love-struck girl giggled.
Komaru placed a finger right on her cheek. "Now I feel kinda bad."
The snow was continuing to melt around them as Shuichi brought two cups of coffee at a table overlooking a lush, green hill.
"Thanks, Saihara-kun."
"No problem."
"Hehe... you even remember the way I like it."
The blue-haired detective hid his blush with his hand as he took a seat across from her. "How's everything going?"
"Well, with things going back to mostly normal, people are going back to watching concerts in person. It's great! There's a pretty nice turnout for what's mostly classical pieces. But I'm thinking I can move my career into something else."
"Like what?"
"Maybe I can start doing some more...pop-y kind of songs? I know there have been some artists that have done it around the world. I can do it, too."
"Sounds like you'll be getting even more busy from now on. Especially once the Central Government declares Reconstruction to be complete."
"Yeah. I guess I got my dream anyway." Kaede took a sip of her coffee as she looked at Shuichi. "How are you doing?"
"A lot better. Now that people know that sometimes I need to recharge from socializing... I think I'm feeling great. Not too overwhelmed anymore."
"Started to really believe in yourself?"
"I guess you can say that." He stared at his own cup and then looked back at her. "I know what my limits are now."
"That's good. You're not as pale as you used to be."
"Really? I haven't noticed."
"You're perceptive but only during work. Bet you didn't even notice I got my hair layered today."
"N-Now that you mention it..."
A soft giggle came from Kaede. "Say, I wanna talk about something serious now."
"Serious?"
"Yeah. About our relationship."
Shuichi found himself inadvertently gulping. "What...what did you want to talk about?"
"I want to take it to the next level."
The boy's eyes widened and he shakily picked up his cup of coffee. "R-Really...that's a big step, Akamatsu-san."
"When Shirogane-san was pretending to be you, I asked her one question to verify her identity. I asked her when we first kissed."
"...we've never kissed."
"Exactly! See? You really are Shuichi Saihara."
"Sorry."
"Hehe. Don't be. I guess I want to make sure every time now." She leaned over. "Guess I'm perceptive too. So...about the next level."
He gulped.
"Start calling me by my first name, Shuichi!"
It was a lot less worse than he imagined it to be. "R-Right... that would make sense. Kaede-san."
"No! Just Kaede."
"J-Just Kaede?!"
A pout came from her face. "Sheesh. Are you really into the 'pure waifu' type or what? Sorry to disappoint, Shuichi."
"I'm not disappointed at all. Honest."
"Okay, good."
"What a pushy girl..." A nervous laugh came from the blue-haired lad. He began to drink his coffee as he finally relaxed.
"Now kiss me."
He almost choked on his drink.
There was something to be said about the wonders of space. It was vast and infinite, especially when you looked at the planet Earth from down below. Major problems between individuals and even international incidents became very small from there. Everything was quiet and peaceful, while one could feel the lack of gravity going throughout the bones in one's body.
"Makoto!" A static-y voice rang in his ear from his spacesuit. He twisted his body using a titanium line from what looked to be an anchor rooted into the moon's surface. There was someone else in a suit right on the surface of the Earth's satellite.
"Junko, what is it?"
"Ugh... where's all the corn seeds?! We gotta start the farm sooner or later."
"I don't think corn plants can fit on the shuttle."
"Lame lame lame lame lame!" Junko leaped, using with the weaker gravity of the Moon, to stand next to her lover. "Guess space is boring too, huh?"
"Really? You haven't really seen much of it. Momota-san said there's a lot to see."
"Who cares what some space idiot says?! Not like we can see much of it. Unless you wanna die floating through space. Just you and me. That'd be pretty despairing, right?"
"You have to be kidding me..."
She put herself right onto Makoto's own suit, leaning forward. She opened the visor and started talking, but there was no sound coming from it. The other spacewalker immediately forced her helmet to close from his own suit.
"What are you doing?! That's dangerous!"
"Upupupu. Would be one hell of a way to go, right?"
"Seriously...?"
"I'm so happy that I could just die right now! A second helping right from Makoto Naegi! Ahahahaha!"
She surprised him with a dive right into him. The force was enough to send both of them to start floating slowly away from the low center of gravity off of the Moon.
"What are you doing?"
"It's only for you to hear."
"Junko?"
She held him as they continued to float. She leaned her helmet into his while not saying a word. His own arms grabbed her in response as they looked at each other through their respective visors.
"Thank you, Makoto."
ANote
"Man, what a pain in the ass..."
"Causing trouble again?"
"You know it."
"What was the point of you following them all that time?"
"I just had to make sure, you know?"
"Make sure?"
"How similar they would be."
"And what conclusion did you reach?"
"They're pretty close to what I know. Probably close to what you'd know, too."
"I wouldn't want to intrude on them. They have their own lives."
"Bah. You're as curious as I am. Don't lie to me."
"I respect personal space, unlike a certain troublesome teenage boy."
"What are you? Fifty? We're literally the same age."
"But it's clear our mentalities are different. Are you done here?"
"Nah. Not yet. Who knows what other surprises there are out there?"
"You really are a glutton for punishment."
"Nah. I only indulge on cute girls myself."
"Despicable."
"Why don't you introduce yourself? They're not so scary."
"I'd rather not see them in...the states they're in. To put it lightly. You've already sown confusion by your own appearance. And I'd like to avoid interrogation myself."
"Nah. I'll just introduce you. C'mon. It wouldn't be so bad."
"It would be very bad. Enough of this."