Homeward Bound (before battle)
…….
Once I'm reinstated... I'm gonna get that central Consigliere bitch to give me something for the trouble.
Hah... that fucker has no idea what kind of shit I'm going through out here.
The House of Spiders.
... How is it that it's still operational?
Hah, you really know how to fuck with my ego.
A bit rude, don't you think? I'm standing right here... you could at least do me the courtesy of pretending to be winded. This isn't a goddamn Q&A session.
I know you and the rest have infiltrated the HQ Research Facility because you couldn't let Sinner #4 go.
"Sinner"...? You've got some awful manners, calling my kid something like that. Gave her a number like she's some prisoner, too.
You overestimate your connection to my Ticket, Red Gaze. Your journey has lasted barely more than a year, and you're lording over her like you're in charge, calling her Sinner this, Sinner that?
I've been teaching Ticket ever since her tiny little baby hands held a knife for the first time.
There's got to be more than your twisted, possessive sense of attachment that kept the House of Spiders alive for all those years.
It seems that all of you are bound there by something that only Sinner #4 can provide... Something you're all still holding onto.
You have no idea what I had to endure to get my Ticket... I'm not letting her go to waste like some shitty scrap paper.
Oh yes, over a decade's worth of preparation went into it - she's the culmination of our collective wish.
Thanks for looking after our runaway pup, but she's got some pedigree, you know? It's about time you sent her back to her loving parents.
... This is what you've been stalling for, I see.
*sigh* Yeah. This shit gig's coming to an end, too.
And don't you even think about activating that E.G.O of yours.
My neighbor's good-for-nothing burden uses that too... And it's always so obvious when she's about to use it.
... You think you can get away from me if I don't activate my E.G.O?
Ooh, sooo scary.
... I know what you're good at, and I know what got you that "Red" color.
The Smoke War, Syndicate Strifes, Finger Bow-bell... I've already seen and done too much. Once I'd tumbled through all those big events... I'd made so many connections, that things that I shouldn't know... shouldn't be able to know... follow the thread right back to my eyes and ears.
Intriguing. To think that there are idlers who've got enough time on their hands to... feed a stray dog forsaken by her Famiglia. Wouldn't you agree, Valencina?
Shut. Up. Stop trying to get a rise outta me.
If it weren't for Rien's "plan," I would've long made mincemeat out of your cake... before killing you too, Red Gaze.
... Huh.
It's about time I headed home, but you're not about to let me leave without a fight, huh?
Tsk... I can't have the Textbook bleed out while I fight. Looks like I'll need some insurance.
...!
Glad I kept my rapier nice and sharp. See, the slightest brush with its edge can cleave right through flesh.
Unless you wanna see me draw a thin red line along your precious kid's throat, put that weapon down on the ground.
Then kick it away, out of your reach.
…….
Very good. Now...
I'll put the kid down...
......
... and count to 3. Slowly, mind you. We've come this far - you don't wanna watch my hand slip and drop this kid on the ground all wrong, do you?
3…
…….
C'mon. Don't give me that look. 2...
…….
…!
Nice catch.
Looks like you've made a mess of my Textbook, but eh. It's nothing I can't piece back together.
Gonna take this one home now, ciao.
... Oh boy, would you look at the time.
... Yo, bowl cut.
Bowl cut...? Are you talking to me?
I get it, you've got 'nuff strength to back up all that swagger. But... Don't get too cocky.
I'm running a bit busy, so I'll just write you up in the book for now. Next time, it's brawn versus brawn.
... Nngh... Papa...
Looks to me you've got your own people to take care of, and I've got mine. Why don't we go our separate ways for now?
…….
Smart choice.
Now go ahead and fix up my toys in the meantime! You're gonna priority ship 'em to my front door soon anyway, aren't ya? Hahahaha!
Oh, by the way - I appreciate a good bowl cut.
Ah, I must've lost track of time, lured by that light.
What a pity. It's already closing time for this gallery - one must wonder, why does every instance of immersion carry the promise of its breaking?
Such was the steadfastness of Marton's will. On the other hand, it seems you were far too ignorant to have understood the concept of self-sacrifice.
I see. It is often said that to pursue art is to embark on an endless journey of learning. And I certainly enjoyed this learning opportunity... down to how he burst... and the following firework of flesh and bone from that explosive performance.
I hope our reunion will come sooner than later.
Come visit my gallery, won't you? I must say, I'm starting to look forward to hearing your critique of it.
…….
What a heartless person she is.
To leave you behind in such a state... Even if you aren't her child, this is rather uncharitable behavior.
Let's head home, Sora.
... Stop. Stop... Don't go.
I saw your report card on my way here, sweetie.
I understand why they might have placed you in third place, but I hope you won't lose heart over it.
Because when it comes to killing, Yoshihide... you're in a class beyond the first and second ranks.
I don't... give a shit...
Mister... Rien...
Can you share the code... to Zenon's Tortoise Spiral with them...? They're... they're good, kind people. They saved me... when the ceiling caved in on... me...
Is that so? All right.
The Spirals all share the same password. Which is...
... obviously, your birthday, sweetheart. Even on that day, I'd bought a cake as the Prescript ordered me to, because I couldn't think of any gift that'd make you happy...
... and it always weighed heavily on my heart that you never even got to have a single bite of it.
…….
Be sure to dress your wounds so they won't scar, okay?
Tell... me.
Have you... all of you... always known where I'd... hidden her?
Well, here's a very simple answer to your very simple question. Why don't you come home and find out?
…….
Don't go...
…….
Don't go... Not... like this.
Honey.
What you just said was... pretty effective.
It hit me right in my heart - and for a moment, it stung.
The moment we became certain that the Index Nursefather was gone, the Sinners all collapsed to the ground with a collective, exhausted sigh.
Whenever we'd encountered him, he had never once averted his eyes from Ryōshū as though the rest of us posed no threat against him.
Replaying his words in our minds, the nonchalance with which he invited Ryōshū to come back home...
We let the silence he left behind wash over us, overwhelmed by the sheer monumentality of the task before us.