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[aplacetodie]

I'm not here. Leave a message.

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[tanteiotaku]

I'll be waiting.

[And indeed he is, in his usual way, footless leg propped up on the coffee table and fedora on his head. He's got another detective novel in his hands too.]

[aplacetodie]

[ That guy definitely is dressed like an old-fashioned detective. Is he for real?

Akira approaches him, arms folded. ]

Shotaro Hidari?

[tanteiotaku]

[Totally for real. The realest.]

The one and only. [Tap of the fingers on his hat.]

[aplacetodie]

...talk.

[tanteiotaku]

Get comfy, my despairing friend. [Not that he knew what Terui expected him to say. But here they were.]

[aplacetodie]

[ He takes a seat, sighing. He can't keep himself from staring at that stump at the end of Shotaro's leg. ]

[tanteiotaku]

[He didn't miss the staring but he didn't say anything.] So why do you think you need to die for what you've done?

[aplacetodie]

[ A frown. But it's a reasonable question. ]

I've hurt others with my actions. Isn't that reason enough?

[tanteiotaku]

Something the Boss always told people before he kicked their ass was 'It's time to count up your sins.' [Flick of the wrist and pointing his finger.] If you've made bad decisions in your life, it's a man's job to make amends for them. Not just die because of them.

[aplacetodie]

"Boss"? [ Akira's brow furrows. ] There's no way to make up for what I've done. My victims aren't exactly here for me to apologize to.

[tanteiotaku]

Sokichi Narumi, hard-boiled detective. I used to be his apprentice. It's not just apologizing. It's making up for the tears you caused the world.

[aplacetodie]

Haah... [ He leans back and stares up at the ceiling. ] Where would I even start?

[tanteiotaku]

I can't tell you that. For me it's picking up where the Boss left off. You'll have something else.

[aplacetodie]

[ Some way to make up for what he's done. Akira shakes his head slowly. It seems impossible. ]

[tanteiotaku]

'80% of a man's life is based on the decisions he makes. Everything else is just extra.'

[aplacetodie]

[ So it's up to him what he does, in other words. ]

When you say you're picking up where your boss left off, what does that include?

[tanteiotaku]

His cases, his legacy, and most importantly, the partner he left for me to take care of.

[aplacetodie]

So for you, making up for what you did just means being an ace detective.