![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrMasterlist
This is still overall great! I wouldn't have thought to combine cute imperious tsundere with smug asshole genius, but it works!
Content note: Violence, brief mention of sexual assault of minor characters, suicide, uncomfortable depiction of cyberbullying and gaming addiction
CHAPTER THREE
The next morning Ichika wakes up next to an awake Sasazuka, who cheerfully tells her to get out of his bed.
Sasazuka: I can't feel anything in my arm. I guess heads are heavy even when they're empty :)
Ichika: I AM SO SORRY.
It's a jerk move to imply you did something to her while she was asleep, Sasazuka, even if she's mostly sure he's just messing with her.
On the way home she tells herself to put the weird, embarrassing experience out of her mind, but doesn't entirely succeed.
Sasazuka POV!
The police are seeking the whereabouts of stalking victim Rika Sugawara in connection to the stalker arson murder.
Enomoto her attractiveness is NOT REMOTELY RELEVANT WTF >:(
Sasazuka generally refers to Ichika as "Hoshino" now that she's not around haha. He dispassionately updates the other two but quietly thinks about how much he appreciates working with Yanagi, aw. The two of them talk over the top of a confused and annoyed Enomoto. Sasazuka pats him on the head and sends him out for donuts.
Enomoto: Yanagi-sempai ;_;
Yanagi: Sorry, Enomoto. A salmon onigiri for me, please.
Enomoto: Damn it. Coming right up, sempai!!
The translation has been leaving all the 'sempai's out when they can't reasonably be replaced with a 'sir' or 'senior', but they sometimes feel significant. Also, Enomoto and Sasazuka refer to each other by their given names.
Sasazuka quietly thinks about how Ichika is more useful than Enomoto, and Yanagi says he looks happy.
Ichika POV!
On the way to dinner with Akito, Sasazuka complains about being sent to do anything as domestic as buy vegetables. ARE WE GOING TO HAVE FAKE DATING?? COME ON GAME THIS IS THE PERFECT SETUP.
He tells her all she has to do is cook and be a good host.
Sasazuka: It seems like you'd freak out if asked to do more than that.
Ichika: ...probably. What are you going to do?
Sasazuka: Just go with the flow, and try to speak to Akito alone. Follow my lead.
When she asks for more details he silently pokes his neck and she realises he doesn't want the collar to hear.
AW YISS Sasazuka introduces himself to Kazuki as her boyfriend :D He REALLY should have discussed it with her in advance but I don't caaaarrree.
Kazuki: BOYFRIEND? ...wait, Ichika, why are YOU surprised?
Sasazuka: She wanted to keep it quiet but I thought it would be simpler to get it all out. Nice to meet you, little brother. Feel free to call me big brother :)
Kazuki: ICHIKA WTF
Heehee Sasazuka is slightly shorter than the two teenagers.
As Ichika cooks, Sasazuka responds to Kazuki's surliness with teasing and Akito tries to keep the peace. Kazuki and Sasazuka are similarly sullen at any suggestion they HELP with COOKING and Ichika notices their similar personalities.
Man this hotpot sounds tasty I'm hungry. Despite Kazuki's protests, Akito talks about how much he and Kazuki enjoy her bentos, and how great Kazuki is on guitar.
Kazuki, mulishly: If I'm amazing, Akito's composition is godlike. Even Isshiki likes it.
Sasazuka: Isshiki?
Kazuki: ...never mind.
Akito: If you want to hear Kazuki play, I have a recording of a concert he was at!
He hands it to Ichika with a mischievous smile, knowing she's already heard it. This kid is so sweet and so totally a terrorist :(
Kazuki: You don't even like music >:(
Ichika: I'll listen to anything you play :)
Kazuki accuses Sasazuka of thinking he's So Cool for speaking English and Sasazuka accuses him of being defensive about being bad at it. Sasazuka's VA's English pronunciation is very Japanese but he is speaking to Japanese people. When Kazuki gets annoyed at Sasazuka bossing Ichika around and acting like the man of the house Sasazuka cheerfully asks if he has a sister complex.
Kazuki: NO >:(
Sasazuka: Then what's wrong with me treating my girl like that :)
Kazuki: ICHIKA STOP BLUSHING
When Akito finds out Sasazuka is a former police officer he tenses up. Sasazuka casually asks Akito to come with him to get dessert.
Ahaha Ichika has to stop Kazuki from going with them, and I don't need a walkthrough to know which of "scold him for being rude to her boyfriend" and "stop him from going" is the right choice for this rebellious teen. Heh, Sasazuka goes wide eyed for several lines after being called her boyfriend.
Kazuki: You don't have to go with him, Akito!
Sasazuka: You just stay here and help your sister out, siscon ^_^
Haha and then he DOES. She tries being supportive about his music and he points out that she's only ever said his guitar playing disturbs the neighbours.
Ichika: I did worry about that. But I've never been against you playing. Kazuki...did you insist on studying in Tokyo so you could have a music career?
Kazuki: So what if I did? You were just assuming I'd take over our parent's hotel?
Ichika: We all thought that was what you intended.
Kazuki: I never said that. But you never listened.
Ichika: You're right. That's why I want to listen to you now. If you're seriously thinking about your future, I want to support you, like Akito has been until now.
Kazuki, softly: Akito's a really amazing guy. But for some reason he won't get on stage. I want to do this together with him.
I was worried this path's X-Day plot would feel too similar to the previous one, but this is very different and HURTS MY HEART.
Ichika, her heart hurting for the same reason: Someday...your dream will come true.
Kazuki: Even if my music dreams were to come true, it doesn't matter with Shinjuku like this. It's pointless to think of the future at all. Hey. If this X-Day does happen, what's going to happen to us?
Ichika: :(
Kazuki: I guess there's no point asking an underling like you. Anyway. Can't you find someone better than that pompous jerk?! I am never calling him big brother.
Sasazuka POV.
Akito: I'm guessing you knew about me from the beginning :(
Sasazuka: Yes, but I also know you have an alibi. What I'm curious about is your relationship with the little brother. Did you befriend him because he has a connection to a police officer?
Akito: No! I met him long before the incident!
Sasazuka: Incident?
Akito: ...Kazuki doesn't know anything. I only found out about his sister after Shinjuku ended up in this situation. You don't have to worry about Ichika, I understand that what happened and Kazuki are separate things.
Sasazuka admires Akito's ability to avoid overtly implicating himself.
Sasazuka: So were you and your sister not getting along?
Akito: I just didn't care enough to notice :(
Sasazuka stays silent, not trying to show sympathy, because he's learned through experience that he's bad at that haha.
Akito: You're not going to dig? I can't tell if you're a decent person or not.
Sasazuka: I'm just asking what I want to ask. But if you want to talk about it, I'll listen.
Akito, sadly: That's really-
And then he freezes in place, looking like he's in pain, then after a moment says he's fine. Is it the microchip in his head D:
Akito, suddenly calm: If you suspect me, then examine me all you like. But can you please not tell Kazuki about any of this? I don't want him to be burdened.
Sasazuka: If you're sure. But I'm just a former cop. If you're not planning on doing anything involving him, that's fine by me.
Akito: Can we swap contact information? You seem like a reliable guy. I think I'd like to rely on your sometime.
Sasazuka is silently baffled but agrees.
OH. IF AKITO IS THE HACKER. HE WANTS TO HACK SASAZUKA'S PHONE.
Afterwards Sasazuka tells Ichika that all he learned was that Akito isn't an idiot. When he once again responds badly to her suggesting he rejoin the police, she asks him to at least tell her if he still has a PASSION FOR GUN CONTROL.
Sasazuka: Of course?
Ichika: Ah, I'm really relieved.
Sasazuka: Come here, you dumb cat.
She grumbles but comes over, and he strokes her head.
Sasazuka: Things tend not to work out when you're worried. So just give me a 'yes' or 'yes' answer and go to sleep.
Ichika, knowing this is his way of being kind: I understand.
Sasazuka: I said 'yes', do both you siblings fear using English? :D
Huh I just checked the walkthrough to see if it would be safe to write over my previous save, and the correct choice above was to prevent Kazuki from leaving?? BUT REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY, GAME.
OH. This is intended as the manipulative option, the scolding was intended as just...sincere scolding. Well it was funny so I'm glad I saw it haha.
Ichika spends the morning calming down freaked out residents, then decides to try and subtly get information out of Minegishi.
He's with Morioka, who asks how Yanagi is doing and says the detectives are 'playing investigators'.
And then Minegishi asks her to interrogate the suspect Souda?? The only reason he gives is that an outside perspective might help? He asks her to do her usual job: talk and listen to someone who mistrusts the police.
Ichika decides she must be being brought in as Good Cop.
After listening to him rant about needing to log into his game, she offers to lend him her phone.
Souda: I still won't talk, because I haven't done anything. You're baiting me.
Ichika: I wouldn't do that. Will my phone not work?
Souda: ...gimme.
Souda's voice acting and art is very over the top, like a stereotypical addict with a fix. She politely asks to watch, saying she's curious to learn. She may not be good at lying in general but she's great at Polite Customer Service.
Souda: FUTILE! I'M A GOD :D
We see a screen of a game called The Evanescence Of The World, with a screen of people happily welcoming back 'God', Souda's character Shougo.
Ichika finds him obnoxious but acts impressed at his genuine skill. When he clearly isn't intending to give the phone back, Minegishi comes in and manages to get it back with polite threats. He says Ichika might have time to visit again if Souda offered them some intel and a distraught Souda commands Ichika to log in every day because a big event is coming up.
Afterwards a pleased Minegishi says she should ask Sasazuka for advice on gaming. She knows she's being manipulated, but feels she has no choice.
Sasazuka gets flustered when she texts "Are you free tonight? I want to see you" and grumpy when she explains. When she later realises how she came across she is overcome with embarrassment. But then he texts her asking to come to the agency with donuts and she's grateful to have a chance to make up for being so embarrassing.
AKITO POV???
He looks around an abandoned park and thinks to himself that it's time. He doesn't have any future left.
Akito, softly: Zero. May I have a moment of your time?
;_;
;_;
This kid ;_;
He hears a voice inside his head and replies "There's noone around. But I'm probably under police surveillance. I'm done for. At this rate the plan on the 15th will- No! It's not that I don't want to, I'm just worried that I'll jeopardise the plan."
The voice laughs and says that resistance is futile?
Akito sadly agrees. "But what are you planning? You told me to make contact with Sasazuka...Oh. I didn't think he'd have that kind of past."
His last vestige of hope is "Kazuki. I hope at least you didn't throw away your dreams."
Ichika POV! Though the game says the character talking is "I stop once before going into the agency". This localisation kinda needed some better proofreaders.
SASAZUKA BLUSHING SPRITE
Ichika politely pretends not to notice.
He extracts Souda's password and checks out the game on his own phone, saying he's played it a few times and that it got popular as a replacement for the game with all the murdered players.
Sasazuka says Souda sounds 'disabled', and the glossary conveniently informs me that this is derogatory internet slang for a game addict. HOORAY.
He suggests she learn about the psychology of game addiction and online game toxicity, and suggests she think of it like class dynamics at school. Game addicts usually feel dissatisfied with their real lives but get to feel strong in the game.
Ichika: But that won't fix anything.
Sasazuka: If they could think that rationally they wouldn't be addicts.
And then Sasazuka said something but the translation was a line of Ichika's narration and it was VERY SURREAL, like he was reading her thoughts, since I don't know enough Japanese to recognise what he actually said.
Sasazuka: Souda calls himself a god because that's the only thing he has to be proud of. And like in the real world, the powerful gain attention. People probably suck up to him in public and bad-mouth him in private messages, the way underlings insult their superiors in private. And the greater someone's addiction, the greater this will damage them.
Ichika: Oh, it must hurt to feel betrayed like that.
Sasazuka: Don't be too sympathetic. If they really wanted to confront their problems they wouldn't rely on a simulacrum.
Bold words for a computer game character, Sasazuka.
He tells her that learning to understand a criminal for an investigation is one thing, but empathising with them will only get her hurt.
Ichika: So you're worrying about me now?
Sasazuka: Because you're an idiot.
Ichika: Stop saying that!
Sasazuka: I'll share my donuts with you, so cheer up.
Ichika thinks to herself that she won't sympathise with Souda, not because his pain was virtual, but because he's a murderer she needs to interrogate to save lives.
Wait, Yanagi and Enomoto LIVE at the agency? TOGETHER? I was wondering how they are surviving with no jobs, sounds like Sasazuka would have money from his earlier business dealings but I guess the other two have to be frugal.
Sasazuka gets defensive about drinking his coffee with lots of milk and sugar when Ichika has hers black. It's not immature, it gives his brain fuel!
Okazaki bursts in shouting "Takeru! He got away!". Sasazuka gets him a cold drink as Okazaki explains that Akito escaped his surveillance with the help of a coordinated crime.
Okazaki POV!
He thinks of Ichika as "Hoshino" in his internal narration.
He and Yoshinari are beset by thugs while tailing Akito. Akito gets away in an unmarked black van.
Okazaki is more of a nice, sensible badass than the teasing angst fest he was on his path lol.
Okazaki: I'm sorry. You warned us, but we were outplayed :(
Sasazuka: But now we know Akito Sera is a member of Adonis.
Ichika: D:
Okazaki: Ichika, are you ok?
Sasazuka: There's no point shying away from reality. We have to report him.
Okazaki: I'll have to report your involvement, too.
Sasazuka: It can't be helped. But whether I go back is a different story.
Okazaki, affectionately: So stubborn. Ichika, basic procedure calls for detaining friends like your brother.
Sasazuka: For now, don't tell him. He might cause unnecessary trouble. If they contact you, tell me immediately.
Okazaki asks Sasazuka for permission to tail Kazuki?
Okazaki: I'll protect him no matter what. So stop making that face :) Though I might need to set up at your place, sorry.
haha aw instead of getting jealous Sasazuka just tells her to make him a spare key.
Adonis POV: Arming the citizens was a futile gesture. I'll prove that.
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning, Kazuki hangs around looking akward until Ichika asks what's wrong and he says Akito hasn't been returning his calls :(
Feeling awful, Ichika says "Akito has his own circumstances. Try and be patient."
At work, she goes to cheer herself up by giving Sakuragawa some meat. Aw, Sakuragawa calls her "Hoshino-chan".
Ichika explains about Souda and asks for information on the August gamer killings. Sakuragawa mentions she used to play the game casually, and the killings scared her: it's easy to do something someone else might consider bullying or trolling. People get grudges over all sorts of things, even bugs. So she just quit. But the people who stayed got freaked out, some even committed suicide, including a well known 'dark player'/troll.
Sakuragawa says the government had already been discussing repealing the weapons control law but until the killings public sentiment had stopped them.
GAME
GAME
Sakuragawa mentions that Minegishi also asked her to try and persuade Sasazuka to return to the police, but she doubts she'd have much effect. He's not easily influenced, and probably has his reasons.
Huh, from the walkthrough there's stuff I missed by going straight to Forensics (because that's where Ichika said she was going!)
So, fine, let's go to the roof for NO LOGICAL REASON. Saeki's there, happy he's gotten a new drinking buddy, saying he'll introduce them soon.
Hmm! I wonder if the game ends up shipping him with Sakuragawa, that would be the most benign and plausible way to make her not a romantic threat. Either way I really hope she's still Sasazuka's drinking buddy at the end of the route, without anyone making a big deal about it being a mixed gender friendship.
Minegishi has called for Ichika, saying it's an emergency.
Mochida: If they try and tell you to do the impossible, let me know.
ilu police dad
Ichika isn't surprised to find out this is about Akito. Since he's a minor (at 18?) he's been officially declared a missing person. And they want to take in Kazuki as a person of interest.
She asks to have the chance to explain it to him.
Morioka: As long as your 'explanations' don't interfere with the investigation. Don't do anything just because he's family >:|
Ichika: I would NEVER
Minegishi: Don't antagonise her. We'll talk to him tomorrow.
Sasazuka says that if Morioka's doing the interrogation, Kazuki better stow his teen rebelliousness, and says he'll come over and take care of things in a gentle voice I have never heard him use before.
Ichika: Thank you. I'm glad you're my partner.
Sasazuka: Idiot. You should already know that.
Back at the agency, Enomoto repeats a parody of Sasazuka's comforting words.
Enomoto: Hehe. Don't tell me you're into Hoshino.
Sasazuka throws a pen at him and repeatedly calls him an idiot.
And then he gets a message from Akito, saying "akito_s_comp" in English. He sends Enomoto out for donuts and investigates.
At Ichika's house, Sasazuka says he's here to give his advice as an ex-cop, and asks Kazuki if he's heard about Akito.
Kazuki: They said he's gone missing :(
Sasazuka: He's with Adonis. You remember his little sister?
Kazuki: No? He's an only child.
Sasazuka: I knew it. He didn't tell you anything. This is going to take a while.
As Sasazuka lays out the facts, Kazuki becomes downcast and Ichika pats his shoulder.
Sasazuka: They're going to bring you in tomorrow, so-
Kazuki: Shut up. Even if Akito had something to do with one of the incidents he must have had a reason for it. He must have not had a choice.
Sasazuka: He committed homocide. As long as you have a reason anything goes? Stop behaving like an immature brat. You claim that at your interrogation and you might end up charged as an accessory.
Kazuki: I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!
Sasazuka: Listen, little brother. You can't run away from reality any more.
I'm wondering how much of his younger self Sasazuka sees in Kazuki.
Kazuki: YOU HAVE NO PROOF HE KILLED ANYONE! ICHIKA, ARE YOU SUSPECTING HIM TOO?!
Ichika: I don't want to believe it either. But as a police officer, I can't say he's entirely innocent. And if he is, I want him to turn himself in.
Sasazuka: If he is innocent, he'll have to show it. Spouting your disbelief isn't going to save anyone. And if you spout careless lies, Morioka will see right through them.
Kazuki: What about the right to remain silent?
Sasazuka: A childish solution. I taunt you a little and you react like this, no way in hell you stay silent.
Ichika: Please. What Sasazuka's saying is that you need to stay calm or it'll end badly for you and Akito.
Kazuki: ...fine. If it's good for Akito. I'll be calm.
These boys :(
And then Sasazuka calls in Okazaki. When Kazuki says he doesn't need protecting, Sasazuka points out that Adonis might use him as blackmail against Akito.
Sasazuka: Just shut up and let the adults work.
Kazuki: WHATEVER. I'm going to my room >:(
Okazaki: Leave him to me. I don't mind people like him. He's a good kid.
She hears him cheerfully saying "HI LITTLE BROTHER. Let's talk man to man :D"
Ichika: I think that'll have the opposite effect.
Sasazuka: You know how persistent he is.
She walks Sasazuka to the door.
Sasazuka: You're looking real ugly right now. What has you so worried? All I can tell you is you're doing everything possible. Just ignore the stuff that can't be helped. And if you're still worried, tell me. I'll at least hear you out.
She can't speak or look into his eyes, or it will all come out.
Sasazuka: Stupid cat. Poochie. ...Ichika. Look at me, stupid.
He takes her head in his hands as she starts to cry.
Sasazuka: I thought you didn't cry, because you had guts :/
Ichiki: I'm s-sorry.
And then. He kisses her.
Sasazuka: You have me. I'm your partner, you're not alone.
Aww. I don't even mind that he turns out to be a little taller than her.
Sasazuka: Pull yourself together. And if you can't, throw your burdens on me.
Ichiki: Really?
Sasazuka: Only when you absolutely can't. I don't spoil anyone :)
She finds herself smiling, and he blushes.
Sasazuka: If you're done bawling, I'm going. And get some sleep, Ichika.
Ichika: Good night! :)
She doesn't want to think too hard about what the kiss meant right now but...she didn't mind it.
It struck me that Sasazuka's whole gap moe young-looking-but-adult blushing imperious tsundere thing, which I am SUPER INTO, is a genderswap of a fairly common male-aimed romance female character type I am NOT INTO and often find creepy and sexist. But it is CHARMING AS HELL from a dude. Plus I like androgynous looking characters but am super squicked by child-like love interests, 'cute but slightly older' is much better. I mean he's not very sexy but that's fine, this isn't a very sexy route (for me, I'm sure 'tiny cute American guy is mean to you' is someone's kink).
And yes I totally have a trans headcanon. He comes from a universe where police are necessary, hair can be naturally green, and shortish afab people can have deep bass voices.
Also, am waiting for the Boy Loses Girl part to kick in, given this is only Chapter 4. Am guessing it's something to do with his past, like...Sasazuka's mother was shot and he dealt with it VERY BADLY due to a mix of teen anger and a desire for vengeance. Did he kill someone? Get someone innocent arrested?
The next morning, Sasazuka tells Ichika not to worry at Kazuki too much.
Okazaki: Don't worry, I got him fully prepared last night :)
Kazuki: You just dug through my room and slept in my bed!
Sasazuka: Just play it normal and tell the truth.
Kazuki: I know...
As much as there's a certain appeal to Okazaki/Sasazuka/Ichika, I am having a little trouble getting it to work in my head with Okazaki's... everything. But I am definitely into Kazuki getting two slightly mean new older brothers.
And then Ichika has to leave Kazuki in Morioka's care. Minegishi says he's told Ichika's department she'll be at HQ today.
Ichika awkwardly drinks coffee while Sasazuka hints that he might be considering coming back to the police. He starts to ask about how Ichika ended up interviewing Souda but then another attack is announced.
A video, with the same slightly lisping voice as the June video, talks about people who accepted bribes to feign ignorance of bullying. The metropolitan office (of schools?) has been bombed.
And then there's an emergency alarm that Souda has escaped. Sasazuka says Minegishi created this situation, but when Minegishi says he didn't do so deliberately Sasazuka agrees to catch him: but on his own terms, with Ichika as his assistant, and with another condition he whispers into Minegishi's ear.
The usually unflappable Minegishi glares, but agrees, saying he can only guarantee to try his best.
Sasazuka immediately rejoins his former colleagues in Cyber Crimes, while Ichika is temporarily reassigned to be his assistant. Noone actually asks her opinion on this but she has no issue so sure.
She bumps into Kazuki and Okazaki. Kazuki says 'the guy was annoying' but that he told the truth. Okazaki says he'll take Kazuki home and keep an eye on him.
Sasazuka sits at his computer and sends Ichika for materials, snacks, messages etc, which she does not find very fulfilling. She asks what he's doing and he says he'll test her brain while he's on break.
Question one: Is the obsessive gaming addict Souda (a) Running (b) Gaming
HMM.
Sasazuka say's he's tracked Souda's physical location, but instead of just bringing him in to escape again is going to RECREATE THE NIGHTMARE THAT MADE HIM A TERRORIST uh ok then.
The catalyst for the cyberbullying that set off the August murders was a series of bugs in the game, throwing everything into chaos and sowing doubt. Souda liked to help weaker players and be a leader, seeing himself as a hero. But the bug made him look like a 'dark player'/troll and everyone turned on the 'god', and the nastiness spread to real life.
So now Sasazuka has gotten the developers to help him set Souda up, using a character he's created in Souda's guild called 'Takeru', because why not use your real given name when entrapping a terrorist I guess. Once he's BROKEN SOUDA'S SPIRIT and revealed himself as the one who destroyed him, he'll interrogate him.
Ichika: Isn't that a bit too cruel?
Sasazuka: I've told you before, show no sympathy. Our priority is to solve the incident, and to do that we take advantage of the perpetrator's mental state.
She understands what he's saying, and doesn't feel qualified to argue further, but still thinks he's going overboard. He can tell she isn't happy but hopes she can accept it, and gives her a donut.
Ugh is there some way to JUST lower the volume on Souda's screeching :/
OMG there IS! There are individual settings for literally every named character! *tries not to read the other names in case there's spoilers*
Anyway. He's in an alleyway gleefully helping other players and wallowing in their praise as a major game event approaches.
And then he finds he can't move. He checks the forum but he can't type, and 'Takeru' is persuading everyone it's not a connection problem but a deliberate way of getting a rare item. Everyone quickly starts saying how they never liked Souda, and then they abandon the guild one by one. Souda freaks out.
Back at HQ, Sasazuka is smug about CYBERBULLYING SOMEONE INTO A MENTAL BREAKDOWN...until he hears that Souda is pointing a gun at his own head, demanding to see "the woman who trapped him".
Minegisha says it's too dangerous but Sasazuka says Ichika will be the bait while he lets Souda know he's the main man, and Ichika agrees. So Minegishi says Ichika should avoid provoking Souda but to shoot if she's in danger. He holds out a gun to Sasazuka, who says he doesn't need it and it doesn't suit him. He's clearly on edge but brushes off Ichika's concern.
Did not expect 'boy loses girl' to possibly involve BOY GETS GIRL SHOT but this also hits alll of Sasazuka's buttons so ok.
Total tangent while I'm too tense to continue: I've realised something about how Adonis works. The first 7 months were carefully constructed substitute killings, where each murderer pawn had an alibi for the murder they had a motive for. This created the sense that Adonis was terrifying and untouchable. But in December, a bunch of pawns do a second murder they DO have a motive for, making them easy to catch. This means the police, Ichika, and the detectives are quickly getting a sense of what motivates the terrorists, and it creates a different sense of despair as they catch all these pawns and it doesn't help. Also it gets rid of all the pawns as a liability.
I think I was supposed to have worked this out in like Chapter 2 but never mind.
Ichika insists on staying by Sasazuka's side, as his partner. When Souda points a gun at her she stays calm, puts her hand on her holster, and reminds him she's a total technophobe incapable of hacking squat.
Souda: THEN BRING ME WHO DID IT AND I'LL KILL THEM AND THEN KILL MYSELF. NOTHING MORE HAS MEANING.
Sasazuka, putting himself in front of Ichika: It's me. I'm the one you want to kill. Takeru :)
Sasazuka is this really the time to taunt him about what a failure he is...
Souda cracks, and from behind Sasazuka, Ichika draws her weapon.
AHH SHOOTING MINIGAME TO SAVE SASAZUKA
SUCCESS! SHOT THE GUN FROM HIS HAND!! The trick is to press A a moment after the shrinking circle hits the crosshairs.
Ichika and I are both very aware of how close that was to Sasazuka dying!
As Souda is arrested and the others leave, Sasazuka is silent and ashen.
And then he collapses against her, squeezing tight and weakly demanding to know if she got shot.
Sasazuka, shaking: I thought I was going to lose you again.
He gasps "Guns..I can't..." and collapses.
A horrified Ichika calls Yanagi for help.
Is he...confusing her...with his mother... SIGH. Of course a character with this design goes for the WEIRD MOMMY KINK. Still, I feel for him, and I do like "Female main character shoots bad guy to protect male love interest with a phobia of guns".
This is still overall great! I wouldn't have thought to combine cute imperious tsundere with smug asshole genius, but it works!
Content note: Violence, brief mention of sexual assault of minor characters, suicide, uncomfortable depiction of cyberbullying and gaming addiction
CHAPTER THREE
The next morning Ichika wakes up next to an awake Sasazuka, who cheerfully tells her to get out of his bed.
Sasazuka: I can't feel anything in my arm. I guess heads are heavy even when they're empty :)
Ichika: I AM SO SORRY.
It's a jerk move to imply you did something to her while she was asleep, Sasazuka, even if she's mostly sure he's just messing with her.
On the way home she tells herself to put the weird, embarrassing experience out of her mind, but doesn't entirely succeed.
Sasazuka POV!
The police are seeking the whereabouts of stalking victim Rika Sugawara in connection to the stalker arson murder.
Enomoto her attractiveness is NOT REMOTELY RELEVANT WTF >:(
Sasazuka generally refers to Ichika as "Hoshino" now that she's not around haha. He dispassionately updates the other two but quietly thinks about how much he appreciates working with Yanagi, aw. The two of them talk over the top of a confused and annoyed Enomoto. Sasazuka pats him on the head and sends him out for donuts.
Enomoto: Yanagi-sempai ;_;
Yanagi: Sorry, Enomoto. A salmon onigiri for me, please.
Enomoto: Damn it. Coming right up, sempai!!
The translation has been leaving all the 'sempai's out when they can't reasonably be replaced with a 'sir' or 'senior', but they sometimes feel significant. Also, Enomoto and Sasazuka refer to each other by their given names.
Sasazuka quietly thinks about how Ichika is more useful than Enomoto, and Yanagi says he looks happy.
Ichika POV!
On the way to dinner with Akito, Sasazuka complains about being sent to do anything as domestic as buy vegetables. ARE WE GOING TO HAVE FAKE DATING?? COME ON GAME THIS IS THE PERFECT SETUP.
He tells her all she has to do is cook and be a good host.
Sasazuka: It seems like you'd freak out if asked to do more than that.
Ichika: ...probably. What are you going to do?
Sasazuka: Just go with the flow, and try to speak to Akito alone. Follow my lead.
When she asks for more details he silently pokes his neck and she realises he doesn't want the collar to hear.
AW YISS Sasazuka introduces himself to Kazuki as her boyfriend :D He REALLY should have discussed it with her in advance but I don't caaaarrree.
Kazuki: BOYFRIEND? ...wait, Ichika, why are YOU surprised?
Sasazuka: She wanted to keep it quiet but I thought it would be simpler to get it all out. Nice to meet you, little brother. Feel free to call me big brother :)
Kazuki: ICHIKA WTF
Heehee Sasazuka is slightly shorter than the two teenagers.
As Ichika cooks, Sasazuka responds to Kazuki's surliness with teasing and Akito tries to keep the peace. Kazuki and Sasazuka are similarly sullen at any suggestion they HELP with COOKING and Ichika notices their similar personalities.
Man this hotpot sounds tasty I'm hungry. Despite Kazuki's protests, Akito talks about how much he and Kazuki enjoy her bentos, and how great Kazuki is on guitar.
Kazuki, mulishly: If I'm amazing, Akito's composition is godlike. Even Isshiki likes it.
Sasazuka: Isshiki?
Kazuki: ...never mind.
Akito: If you want to hear Kazuki play, I have a recording of a concert he was at!
He hands it to Ichika with a mischievous smile, knowing she's already heard it. This kid is so sweet and so totally a terrorist :(
Kazuki: You don't even like music >:(
Ichika: I'll listen to anything you play :)
Kazuki accuses Sasazuka of thinking he's So Cool for speaking English and Sasazuka accuses him of being defensive about being bad at it. Sasazuka's VA's English pronunciation is very Japanese but he is speaking to Japanese people. When Kazuki gets annoyed at Sasazuka bossing Ichika around and acting like the man of the house Sasazuka cheerfully asks if he has a sister complex.
Kazuki: NO >:(
Sasazuka: Then what's wrong with me treating my girl like that :)
Kazuki: ICHIKA STOP BLUSHING
When Akito finds out Sasazuka is a former police officer he tenses up. Sasazuka casually asks Akito to come with him to get dessert.
Ahaha Ichika has to stop Kazuki from going with them, and I don't need a walkthrough to know which of "scold him for being rude to her boyfriend" and "stop him from going" is the right choice for this rebellious teen. Heh, Sasazuka goes wide eyed for several lines after being called her boyfriend.
Kazuki: You don't have to go with him, Akito!
Sasazuka: You just stay here and help your sister out, siscon ^_^
Haha and then he DOES. She tries being supportive about his music and he points out that she's only ever said his guitar playing disturbs the neighbours.
Ichika: I did worry about that. But I've never been against you playing. Kazuki...did you insist on studying in Tokyo so you could have a music career?
Kazuki: So what if I did? You were just assuming I'd take over our parent's hotel?
Ichika: We all thought that was what you intended.
Kazuki: I never said that. But you never listened.
Ichika: You're right. That's why I want to listen to you now. If you're seriously thinking about your future, I want to support you, like Akito has been until now.
Kazuki, softly: Akito's a really amazing guy. But for some reason he won't get on stage. I want to do this together with him.
I was worried this path's X-Day plot would feel too similar to the previous one, but this is very different and HURTS MY HEART.
Ichika, her heart hurting for the same reason: Someday...your dream will come true.
Kazuki: Even if my music dreams were to come true, it doesn't matter with Shinjuku like this. It's pointless to think of the future at all. Hey. If this X-Day does happen, what's going to happen to us?
Ichika: :(
Kazuki: I guess there's no point asking an underling like you. Anyway. Can't you find someone better than that pompous jerk?! I am never calling him big brother.
Sasazuka POV.
Akito: I'm guessing you knew about me from the beginning :(
Sasazuka: Yes, but I also know you have an alibi. What I'm curious about is your relationship with the little brother. Did you befriend him because he has a connection to a police officer?
Akito: No! I met him long before the incident!
Sasazuka: Incident?
Akito: ...Kazuki doesn't know anything. I only found out about his sister after Shinjuku ended up in this situation. You don't have to worry about Ichika, I understand that what happened and Kazuki are separate things.
Sasazuka admires Akito's ability to avoid overtly implicating himself.
Sasazuka: So were you and your sister not getting along?
Akito: I just didn't care enough to notice :(
Sasazuka stays silent, not trying to show sympathy, because he's learned through experience that he's bad at that haha.
Akito: You're not going to dig? I can't tell if you're a decent person or not.
Sasazuka: I'm just asking what I want to ask. But if you want to talk about it, I'll listen.
Akito, sadly: That's really-
And then he freezes in place, looking like he's in pain, then after a moment says he's fine. Is it the microchip in his head D:
Akito, suddenly calm: If you suspect me, then examine me all you like. But can you please not tell Kazuki about any of this? I don't want him to be burdened.
Sasazuka: If you're sure. But I'm just a former cop. If you're not planning on doing anything involving him, that's fine by me.
Akito: Can we swap contact information? You seem like a reliable guy. I think I'd like to rely on your sometime.
Sasazuka is silently baffled but agrees.
OH. IF AKITO IS THE HACKER. HE WANTS TO HACK SASAZUKA'S PHONE.
Afterwards Sasazuka tells Ichika that all he learned was that Akito isn't an idiot. When he once again responds badly to her suggesting he rejoin the police, she asks him to at least tell her if he still has a PASSION FOR GUN CONTROL.
Sasazuka: Of course?
Ichika: Ah, I'm really relieved.
Sasazuka: Come here, you dumb cat.
She grumbles but comes over, and he strokes her head.
Sasazuka: Things tend not to work out when you're worried. So just give me a 'yes' or 'yes' answer and go to sleep.
Ichika, knowing this is his way of being kind: I understand.
Sasazuka: I said 'yes', do both you siblings fear using English? :D
Huh I just checked the walkthrough to see if it would be safe to write over my previous save, and the correct choice above was to prevent Kazuki from leaving?? BUT REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY, GAME.
OH. This is intended as the manipulative option, the scolding was intended as just...sincere scolding. Well it was funny so I'm glad I saw it haha.
Ichika spends the morning calming down freaked out residents, then decides to try and subtly get information out of Minegishi.
He's with Morioka, who asks how Yanagi is doing and says the detectives are 'playing investigators'.
And then Minegishi asks her to interrogate the suspect Souda?? The only reason he gives is that an outside perspective might help? He asks her to do her usual job: talk and listen to someone who mistrusts the police.
Ichika decides she must be being brought in as Good Cop.
After listening to him rant about needing to log into his game, she offers to lend him her phone.
Souda: I still won't talk, because I haven't done anything. You're baiting me.
Ichika: I wouldn't do that. Will my phone not work?
Souda: ...gimme.
Souda's voice acting and art is very over the top, like a stereotypical addict with a fix. She politely asks to watch, saying she's curious to learn. She may not be good at lying in general but she's great at Polite Customer Service.
Souda: FUTILE! I'M A GOD :D
We see a screen of a game called The Evanescence Of The World, with a screen of people happily welcoming back 'God', Souda's character Shougo.
Ichika finds him obnoxious but acts impressed at his genuine skill. When he clearly isn't intending to give the phone back, Minegishi comes in and manages to get it back with polite threats. He says Ichika might have time to visit again if Souda offered them some intel and a distraught Souda commands Ichika to log in every day because a big event is coming up.
Afterwards a pleased Minegishi says she should ask Sasazuka for advice on gaming. She knows she's being manipulated, but feels she has no choice.
Sasazuka gets flustered when she texts "Are you free tonight? I want to see you" and grumpy when she explains. When she later realises how she came across she is overcome with embarrassment. But then he texts her asking to come to the agency with donuts and she's grateful to have a chance to make up for being so embarrassing.
AKITO POV???
He looks around an abandoned park and thinks to himself that it's time. He doesn't have any future left.
Akito, softly: Zero. May I have a moment of your time?
;_;
;_;
This kid ;_;
He hears a voice inside his head and replies "There's noone around. But I'm probably under police surveillance. I'm done for. At this rate the plan on the 15th will- No! It's not that I don't want to, I'm just worried that I'll jeopardise the plan."
The voice laughs and says that resistance is futile?
Akito sadly agrees. "But what are you planning? You told me to make contact with Sasazuka...Oh. I didn't think he'd have that kind of past."
His last vestige of hope is "Kazuki. I hope at least you didn't throw away your dreams."
Ichika POV! Though the game says the character talking is "I stop once before going into the agency". This localisation kinda needed some better proofreaders.
SASAZUKA BLUSHING SPRITE
Ichika politely pretends not to notice.
He extracts Souda's password and checks out the game on his own phone, saying he's played it a few times and that it got popular as a replacement for the game with all the murdered players.
Sasazuka says Souda sounds 'disabled', and the glossary conveniently informs me that this is derogatory internet slang for a game addict. HOORAY.
He suggests she learn about the psychology of game addiction and online game toxicity, and suggests she think of it like class dynamics at school. Game addicts usually feel dissatisfied with their real lives but get to feel strong in the game.
Ichika: But that won't fix anything.
Sasazuka: If they could think that rationally they wouldn't be addicts.
And then Sasazuka said something but the translation was a line of Ichika's narration and it was VERY SURREAL, like he was reading her thoughts, since I don't know enough Japanese to recognise what he actually said.
Sasazuka: Souda calls himself a god because that's the only thing he has to be proud of. And like in the real world, the powerful gain attention. People probably suck up to him in public and bad-mouth him in private messages, the way underlings insult their superiors in private. And the greater someone's addiction, the greater this will damage them.
Ichika: Oh, it must hurt to feel betrayed like that.
Sasazuka: Don't be too sympathetic. If they really wanted to confront their problems they wouldn't rely on a simulacrum.
Bold words for a computer game character, Sasazuka.
He tells her that learning to understand a criminal for an investigation is one thing, but empathising with them will only get her hurt.
Ichika: So you're worrying about me now?
Sasazuka: Because you're an idiot.
Ichika: Stop saying that!
Sasazuka: I'll share my donuts with you, so cheer up.
Ichika thinks to herself that she won't sympathise with Souda, not because his pain was virtual, but because he's a murderer she needs to interrogate to save lives.
Wait, Yanagi and Enomoto LIVE at the agency? TOGETHER? I was wondering how they are surviving with no jobs, sounds like Sasazuka would have money from his earlier business dealings but I guess the other two have to be frugal.
Sasazuka gets defensive about drinking his coffee with lots of milk and sugar when Ichika has hers black. It's not immature, it gives his brain fuel!
Okazaki bursts in shouting "Takeru! He got away!". Sasazuka gets him a cold drink as Okazaki explains that Akito escaped his surveillance with the help of a coordinated crime.
Okazaki POV!
He thinks of Ichika as "Hoshino" in his internal narration.
He and Yoshinari are beset by thugs while tailing Akito. Akito gets away in an unmarked black van.
Okazaki is more of a nice, sensible badass than the teasing angst fest he was on his path lol.
Okazaki: I'm sorry. You warned us, but we were outplayed :(
Sasazuka: But now we know Akito Sera is a member of Adonis.
Ichika: D:
Okazaki: Ichika, are you ok?
Sasazuka: There's no point shying away from reality. We have to report him.
Okazaki: I'll have to report your involvement, too.
Sasazuka: It can't be helped. But whether I go back is a different story.
Okazaki, affectionately: So stubborn. Ichika, basic procedure calls for detaining friends like your brother.
Sasazuka: For now, don't tell him. He might cause unnecessary trouble. If they contact you, tell me immediately.
Okazaki asks Sasazuka for permission to tail Kazuki?
Okazaki: I'll protect him no matter what. So stop making that face :) Though I might need to set up at your place, sorry.
haha aw instead of getting jealous Sasazuka just tells her to make him a spare key.
Adonis POV: Arming the citizens was a futile gesture. I'll prove that.
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning, Kazuki hangs around looking akward until Ichika asks what's wrong and he says Akito hasn't been returning his calls :(
Feeling awful, Ichika says "Akito has his own circumstances. Try and be patient."
At work, she goes to cheer herself up by giving Sakuragawa some meat. Aw, Sakuragawa calls her "Hoshino-chan".
Ichika explains about Souda and asks for information on the August gamer killings. Sakuragawa mentions she used to play the game casually, and the killings scared her: it's easy to do something someone else might consider bullying or trolling. People get grudges over all sorts of things, even bugs. So she just quit. But the people who stayed got freaked out, some even committed suicide, including a well known 'dark player'/troll.
Sakuragawa says the government had already been discussing repealing the weapons control law but until the killings public sentiment had stopped them.
GAME
GAME
Sakuragawa mentions that Minegishi also asked her to try and persuade Sasazuka to return to the police, but she doubts she'd have much effect. He's not easily influenced, and probably has his reasons.
Huh, from the walkthrough there's stuff I missed by going straight to Forensics (because that's where Ichika said she was going!)
So, fine, let's go to the roof for NO LOGICAL REASON. Saeki's there, happy he's gotten a new drinking buddy, saying he'll introduce them soon.
Hmm! I wonder if the game ends up shipping him with Sakuragawa, that would be the most benign and plausible way to make her not a romantic threat. Either way I really hope she's still Sasazuka's drinking buddy at the end of the route, without anyone making a big deal about it being a mixed gender friendship.
Minegishi has called for Ichika, saying it's an emergency.
Mochida: If they try and tell you to do the impossible, let me know.
ilu police dad
Ichika isn't surprised to find out this is about Akito. Since he's a minor (at 18?) he's been officially declared a missing person. And they want to take in Kazuki as a person of interest.
She asks to have the chance to explain it to him.
Morioka: As long as your 'explanations' don't interfere with the investigation. Don't do anything just because he's family >:|
Ichika: I would NEVER
Minegishi: Don't antagonise her. We'll talk to him tomorrow.
Sasazuka says that if Morioka's doing the interrogation, Kazuki better stow his teen rebelliousness, and says he'll come over and take care of things in a gentle voice I have never heard him use before.
Ichika: Thank you. I'm glad you're my partner.
Sasazuka: Idiot. You should already know that.
Back at the agency, Enomoto repeats a parody of Sasazuka's comforting words.
Enomoto: Hehe. Don't tell me you're into Hoshino.
Sasazuka throws a pen at him and repeatedly calls him an idiot.
And then he gets a message from Akito, saying "akito_s_comp" in English. He sends Enomoto out for donuts and investigates.
At Ichika's house, Sasazuka says he's here to give his advice as an ex-cop, and asks Kazuki if he's heard about Akito.
Kazuki: They said he's gone missing :(
Sasazuka: He's with Adonis. You remember his little sister?
Kazuki: No? He's an only child.
Sasazuka: I knew it. He didn't tell you anything. This is going to take a while.
As Sasazuka lays out the facts, Kazuki becomes downcast and Ichika pats his shoulder.
Sasazuka: They're going to bring you in tomorrow, so-
Kazuki: Shut up. Even if Akito had something to do with one of the incidents he must have had a reason for it. He must have not had a choice.
Sasazuka: He committed homocide. As long as you have a reason anything goes? Stop behaving like an immature brat. You claim that at your interrogation and you might end up charged as an accessory.
Kazuki: I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!
Sasazuka: Listen, little brother. You can't run away from reality any more.
I'm wondering how much of his younger self Sasazuka sees in Kazuki.
Kazuki: YOU HAVE NO PROOF HE KILLED ANYONE! ICHIKA, ARE YOU SUSPECTING HIM TOO?!
Ichika: I don't want to believe it either. But as a police officer, I can't say he's entirely innocent. And if he is, I want him to turn himself in.
Sasazuka: If he is innocent, he'll have to show it. Spouting your disbelief isn't going to save anyone. And if you spout careless lies, Morioka will see right through them.
Kazuki: What about the right to remain silent?
Sasazuka: A childish solution. I taunt you a little and you react like this, no way in hell you stay silent.
Ichika: Please. What Sasazuka's saying is that you need to stay calm or it'll end badly for you and Akito.
Kazuki: ...fine. If it's good for Akito. I'll be calm.
These boys :(
And then Sasazuka calls in Okazaki. When Kazuki says he doesn't need protecting, Sasazuka points out that Adonis might use him as blackmail against Akito.
Sasazuka: Just shut up and let the adults work.
Kazuki: WHATEVER. I'm going to my room >:(
Okazaki: Leave him to me. I don't mind people like him. He's a good kid.
She hears him cheerfully saying "HI LITTLE BROTHER. Let's talk man to man :D"
Ichika: I think that'll have the opposite effect.
Sasazuka: You know how persistent he is.
She walks Sasazuka to the door.
Sasazuka: You're looking real ugly right now. What has you so worried? All I can tell you is you're doing everything possible. Just ignore the stuff that can't be helped. And if you're still worried, tell me. I'll at least hear you out.
She can't speak or look into his eyes, or it will all come out.
Sasazuka: Stupid cat. Poochie. ...Ichika. Look at me, stupid.
He takes her head in his hands as she starts to cry.
Sasazuka: I thought you didn't cry, because you had guts :/
Ichiki: I'm s-sorry.
And then. He kisses her.
Sasazuka: You have me. I'm your partner, you're not alone.
Aww. I don't even mind that he turns out to be a little taller than her.
Sasazuka: Pull yourself together. And if you can't, throw your burdens on me.
Ichiki: Really?
Sasazuka: Only when you absolutely can't. I don't spoil anyone :)
She finds herself smiling, and he blushes.
Sasazuka: If you're done bawling, I'm going. And get some sleep, Ichika.
Ichika: Good night! :)
She doesn't want to think too hard about what the kiss meant right now but...she didn't mind it.
It struck me that Sasazuka's whole gap moe young-looking-but-adult blushing imperious tsundere thing, which I am SUPER INTO, is a genderswap of a fairly common male-aimed romance female character type I am NOT INTO and often find creepy and sexist. But it is CHARMING AS HELL from a dude. Plus I like androgynous looking characters but am super squicked by child-like love interests, 'cute but slightly older' is much better. I mean he's not very sexy but that's fine, this isn't a very sexy route (for me, I'm sure 'tiny cute American guy is mean to you' is someone's kink).
And yes I totally have a trans headcanon. He comes from a universe where police are necessary, hair can be naturally green, and shortish afab people can have deep bass voices.
Also, am waiting for the Boy Loses Girl part to kick in, given this is only Chapter 4. Am guessing it's something to do with his past, like...Sasazuka's mother was shot and he dealt with it VERY BADLY due to a mix of teen anger and a desire for vengeance. Did he kill someone? Get someone innocent arrested?
The next morning, Sasazuka tells Ichika not to worry at Kazuki too much.
Okazaki: Don't worry, I got him fully prepared last night :)
Kazuki: You just dug through my room and slept in my bed!
Sasazuka: Just play it normal and tell the truth.
Kazuki: I know...
As much as there's a certain appeal to Okazaki/Sasazuka/Ichika, I am having a little trouble getting it to work in my head with Okazaki's... everything. But I am definitely into Kazuki getting two slightly mean new older brothers.
And then Ichika has to leave Kazuki in Morioka's care. Minegishi says he's told Ichika's department she'll be at HQ today.
Ichika awkwardly drinks coffee while Sasazuka hints that he might be considering coming back to the police. He starts to ask about how Ichika ended up interviewing Souda but then another attack is announced.
A video, with the same slightly lisping voice as the June video, talks about people who accepted bribes to feign ignorance of bullying. The metropolitan office (of schools?) has been bombed.
And then there's an emergency alarm that Souda has escaped. Sasazuka says Minegishi created this situation, but when Minegishi says he didn't do so deliberately Sasazuka agrees to catch him: but on his own terms, with Ichika as his assistant, and with another condition he whispers into Minegishi's ear.
The usually unflappable Minegishi glares, but agrees, saying he can only guarantee to try his best.
Sasazuka immediately rejoins his former colleagues in Cyber Crimes, while Ichika is temporarily reassigned to be his assistant. Noone actually asks her opinion on this but she has no issue so sure.
She bumps into Kazuki and Okazaki. Kazuki says 'the guy was annoying' but that he told the truth. Okazaki says he'll take Kazuki home and keep an eye on him.
Sasazuka sits at his computer and sends Ichika for materials, snacks, messages etc, which she does not find very fulfilling. She asks what he's doing and he says he'll test her brain while he's on break.
Question one: Is the obsessive gaming addict Souda (a) Running (b) Gaming
HMM.
Sasazuka say's he's tracked Souda's physical location, but instead of just bringing him in to escape again is going to RECREATE THE NIGHTMARE THAT MADE HIM A TERRORIST uh ok then.
The catalyst for the cyberbullying that set off the August murders was a series of bugs in the game, throwing everything into chaos and sowing doubt. Souda liked to help weaker players and be a leader, seeing himself as a hero. But the bug made him look like a 'dark player'/troll and everyone turned on the 'god', and the nastiness spread to real life.
So now Sasazuka has gotten the developers to help him set Souda up, using a character he's created in Souda's guild called 'Takeru', because why not use your real given name when entrapping a terrorist I guess. Once he's BROKEN SOUDA'S SPIRIT and revealed himself as the one who destroyed him, he'll interrogate him.
Ichika: Isn't that a bit too cruel?
Sasazuka: I've told you before, show no sympathy. Our priority is to solve the incident, and to do that we take advantage of the perpetrator's mental state.
She understands what he's saying, and doesn't feel qualified to argue further, but still thinks he's going overboard. He can tell she isn't happy but hopes she can accept it, and gives her a donut.
Ugh is there some way to JUST lower the volume on Souda's screeching :/
OMG there IS! There are individual settings for literally every named character! *tries not to read the other names in case there's spoilers*
Anyway. He's in an alleyway gleefully helping other players and wallowing in their praise as a major game event approaches.
And then he finds he can't move. He checks the forum but he can't type, and 'Takeru' is persuading everyone it's not a connection problem but a deliberate way of getting a rare item. Everyone quickly starts saying how they never liked Souda, and then they abandon the guild one by one. Souda freaks out.
Back at HQ, Sasazuka is smug about CYBERBULLYING SOMEONE INTO A MENTAL BREAKDOWN...until he hears that Souda is pointing a gun at his own head, demanding to see "the woman who trapped him".
Minegisha says it's too dangerous but Sasazuka says Ichika will be the bait while he lets Souda know he's the main man, and Ichika agrees. So Minegishi says Ichika should avoid provoking Souda but to shoot if she's in danger. He holds out a gun to Sasazuka, who says he doesn't need it and it doesn't suit him. He's clearly on edge but brushes off Ichika's concern.
Did not expect 'boy loses girl' to possibly involve BOY GETS GIRL SHOT but this also hits alll of Sasazuka's buttons so ok.
Total tangent while I'm too tense to continue: I've realised something about how Adonis works. The first 7 months were carefully constructed substitute killings, where each murderer pawn had an alibi for the murder they had a motive for. This created the sense that Adonis was terrifying and untouchable. But in December, a bunch of pawns do a second murder they DO have a motive for, making them easy to catch. This means the police, Ichika, and the detectives are quickly getting a sense of what motivates the terrorists, and it creates a different sense of despair as they catch all these pawns and it doesn't help. Also it gets rid of all the pawns as a liability.
I think I was supposed to have worked this out in like Chapter 2 but never mind.
Ichika insists on staying by Sasazuka's side, as his partner. When Souda points a gun at her she stays calm, puts her hand on her holster, and reminds him she's a total technophobe incapable of hacking squat.
Souda: THEN BRING ME WHO DID IT AND I'LL KILL THEM AND THEN KILL MYSELF. NOTHING MORE HAS MEANING.
Sasazuka, putting himself in front of Ichika: It's me. I'm the one you want to kill. Takeru :)
Sasazuka is this really the time to taunt him about what a failure he is...
Souda cracks, and from behind Sasazuka, Ichika draws her weapon.
AHH SHOOTING MINIGAME TO SAVE SASAZUKA
SUCCESS! SHOT THE GUN FROM HIS HAND!! The trick is to press A a moment after the shrinking circle hits the crosshairs.
Ichika and I are both very aware of how close that was to Sasazuka dying!
As Souda is arrested and the others leave, Sasazuka is silent and ashen.
And then he collapses against her, squeezing tight and weakly demanding to know if she got shot.
Sasazuka, shaking: I thought I was going to lose you again.
He gasps "Guns..I can't..." and collapses.
A horrified Ichika calls Yanagi for help.
Is he...confusing her...with his mother... SIGH. Of course a character with this design goes for the WEIRD MOMMY KINK. Still, I feel for him, and I do like "Female main character shoots bad guy to protect male love interest with a phobia of guns".
