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[contractorly]

I wish I could show you the stars.

They're real, Pai. Just like they were seven years ago.

Comments

[starchases]

Penny for your thoughts, Li-kun?

Private

[contractorly]

The stars in the City are real, unlike home.

Private

[starchases]

Are they?

Despite that fact, I find I much rather prefer the ones at home. And I don't mean the old ones, either.

Re: Private

[contractorly]

That's strange to hear. I've always thought people longed for the old stars.

May I ask why?

Private

[starchases]

When you spend so much time chasing them, it's hard not getting attached to them. I thought I already said this before--

Re: Private

[contractorly]

...I thought you were a police officer, not an astronomer.

Private

[starchases]

It's--

--complicated.

Re: Private

[contractorly]

Ah--I'm confused.

Private

[starchases]

...Do you remember when I mentioned the Gate, Li-kun?

Re: Private

[contractorly]

The video game?

Private

[starchases]

No, not a video game--

I'll tell you. I don't imagine things could get any worse than they already are, if I do, right?

There's something called Hell's Gate surrounding Tokyo. With the appearance of this gate, also appeared beings called "Contractors". I'm sure you've heard the urban legends... My job is to investigate matters concerning them.

For every Contractor there is a corresponding star in the sky. It's how we track them.

...

I must be boring you. The short version is, I watch these stars for a living. Some of them I've grown rather attached to, so it's sad to see them fall.

1/3

[contractorly]

...

2/3

[contractorly]

 

Re: 2/3

[contractorly]

...Kirihara-san, you...you're joking, right?

[starchases]

This kind of stuff surprises you after being stuck in a place like this?