Week 5 | Post-Investigation | Akira

[byjove]

[Hermann's bad with emotions, so he waits what he thinks is a sufficient time for Akira to have... well, not recovered, but to have processed a bit maybe??? Whatever, like I said, bad at this.

He goes to find him and just sort of... starts.]

Akira. I apologize, but I'm going to dispense with the pleasantries, as this is rather important.

[As if he usually bothers with pleasantries lol]

I'm aware of your role in this game. And I think your friend and partner may have been targeted because of it.

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[it's goo on Hermann to wait. he finds Akira when he has himself pulled together, composed and tightly wound enough to keep the storm at bay. everything about him is carefully neutral-- his expression, his demeanor, even the words that tumble from his mouth-- and he doesn't even react to Hermann's blunt statement]

Mmm. It's okay.

[he tilts his chin up, searching Hermann's expression, like. . . he's trying to decide how trustworthy he is]

I know for a fact that's why they were targeted.

[byjove]

[Right, okay. Looks like they can skip the formalities on both sides then. That works better for him, even though he... well, he does feel bad doing this when Akira's still dealing with those deaths. No time like the present, though.]

Let me be clear: I'm not accusing you of anything. But I think this might be retaliation for your perceived involvement in a previous murder. Namely, Chuuya Nakahara.

[Which Akira also might know, depending. Just laying out the theory in full.]

[purrtagonist]

[honestly, there's nothing like business to keep his mind off of what happened]

I didn't kill Chuuya Nakahara.

[he maintains that firmly, without blinking]

But. . . I do think this is related to-- who I am. And what I have done.

[namely, be. . . a Reaper. . . who watched his other Reapers kill people the entire Game and never spoke up]

[byjove]

I know you didn't.

[Hermann seems pretty well convinced already.]

But others may have other ideas. Particularly those who know what you are.

[So, to get to the point:]

I learned through a somewhat convoluted way, but are there any more living players who might know? ["Living"] Particularly those with ties to Nakahara?

[purrtagonist]

[at that, he gives a small shrug]

There are a lot of living Players who know. [a lot. more than he. thought??] But as far as I'm concerned, they weren't involved with Chuuya in any way.

. . . but I don't exactly know who he spent time with.

[so]

[byjove]

[Hermann sighs. Figures.]

Nor do I. And at this point, I suppose a lot of secrets are making the rounds.

[Hm.]

The... missing hearts. [Newt told him.] Was that something... meaningful to you specifically?

[purrtagonist]

[. . . . . . . .]

[he lifts a hand and places it over his chest, fingers curling into his shirt]

He went for exactly what would hurt me the most.

[and had succeeded. Akira's eyes flash again]

My heart.

[his partner. his second-in-command. his family. part of his world]

[byjove]

[Ah.]

Hm. And I suppose plenty of us knew who you were close to.

[At least they didn't get Yusuke?]

[He, uh, offers an awkward hand for Akira's shoulder.]

Regardless, we will find them.

[purrtagonist]

[his shoulder is stiff under Hermann's touch]

We don't need to "find" him.

[lol]

I already think I know who is responsible.

[byjove]

[Well why didn't you just say so???]

Would you be willing to share, or do I have to guess?

[He sure won't for long lmao isn't hindsight great. He does have a prime suspect in mind, though.]

[purrtagonist]

. . . Shin.

[he has absolutely no reason to withhold the name, and every reason to give it out to as many people who ask]