The Time Ripper (before battle)

You're late, Clock.

The two Sinners had a head start, but it didn't take very long before we caught up to them and saw them quietly kneeling behind cover.

We'll go ahead and draw their attention! We should be able to corner them in this direction.

<Since Ryōshū and Hong Lu are out there to draw the culprit here... we just have to do our part and capture them.>

Yeah...

<What's wrong, Rodya?>

Just... every time I think about Sonya...

... I remember all the things that I couldn't do. That's all.

<Rodya...>

Argh, nope! Not gonna let this drag me down. I just gotta do what I can at this moment, right? Wouldn't it be so nice if the culprit showed up right now so I can get my hands on 'em and get this over with?

Ugh, all this waiting around is getting so tedious. Hopefully I'll look real badass when I arrest 'em.

You certainly recover quick. Now that's a good attitude to have.

Well, you know~ Ain't that how emotions are supposed to be? Constantly changing with time, y'know?

Is it now? I don't quite agree. Emotions don't change with time.

I'd say that the changing emotions are what drive the flow of time.

Hmm~ That's some complicated stuff.

I just can't wait to hear all the praises they'll sing of me once I snag this Yurodivy rascal, that's all~

Y'know, I wanna be... an ace detective.

Then you shall have your chance.

…!

A chance for you to be the center of attention. A subject of praise.

<…!>

That long coat... that hat...

You're...

Rodya~ Dante~ The culprit ran that way!

You're... The Time Ripper.

Correct.

…!

<This isn't good... It'll take a while for Hong Lu and Ryōshū to get here...!>

But before we get down to business, allow me to make a few corrections.

One. I am no longer bound to an organization like the Yurodiviye.

In fact, I found their hypocrisy detestable. Did you know that even the Yurodiviye do not use their hours equally amongst one another? That is why I have chosen action.

Two. I am not 'killing time'. You will not compare my crusade to something so hollow.

I merely reap the dying hours... to share it among those who need it most.

You may call me the Time Saint instead.

What... the hell are you talking about? Shut up and -

All this is flying over your head, isn't it? You poor little thing, starved for even a morsel of praise...

This is both a correction of your ignorance, and our final warning.

If you wish to capture me... no, us... then you must be prepared to pay the price in time.

Was that an attempt at a threat? Ha, do you seriously think you can scare me like that?

Sure, you're the big, scary 'Time Ripper', but I've got ya all figured out. I know your patterns. There's something staying your hand, isn't there? Whether it's your creed, some kind of a design flaw in your tech... you can't touch my time.

How'd ya like this ace detective's deductions, huh? Fuhu.

Half right. But you have given me two more corrections to make.

One. I am not the one killing time. It's you, and everyone like you who's killing time.

Two. Indeed, we cannot rip time away from just anyone, no. But... I can take yours.

Because you, at this very moment...

... are mired in tedium.

… What?

Just biding the time, aren't you? Waiting for something to happen. Killing time.

We are merely taking back the time that you would have killed anyway.

Hah, ha... haha...

Swing that axe and you might carve a small chunk of our flesh. But...

... We... will rip a chunk out of your existence.

You will stir awake when the clock strikes four, in fifty-years' time; having done nothing, having lived through nothing, all in the blink of an eye.

That's when it shall dawn on you, that despair. It'll all come rushing in like a flood; that disparity, the unfamiliarity... of all the time you killed.

... Every pain a reminder of every single second you've killed, thinking about how tedious it all is.

…….

You look scared. I - we - like that look in your eyes.

Rodya stood there, completely frozen. No one could stop the Time Ripper as he walked away from us. Not me, not Rodya.

The culprit. Where are they?

I... I thought I could take them on. But... when I came face-to-face with the Ripper, I...

Tsk, how could you give them the slip?

<They threatened her. That they were going to rip away her time...>

Oh no...

And the Ripper knew. They knew how... how I felt so...

... Never mind.

It seemed to me that Rodya decided to not say it out loud, but I knew that the word she wanted to say was 'tedious'.

Pathetic.

Unlike you, Ryōshū, my time… is important.

I'm not here just to make those stupid, pointless observations about the case. I didn't volunteer out of some weird obligation either, okay? I volunteered because I genuinely wanted to solve the case. I'm not like you. Either of you.

I briefly grew concerned that Ryōshū might swing her scabbard at Rodya, but... I don't think she was listening anyway.

… How banal.

Instead, she stared up at the Clock Tower in silence as her cigarette slowly burned its way to her lips.

I guess that's a... relief...

Rodya, I...

Sorry. I think I'm just getting tired of wearing a silly smile.