[June 16 2020, Tuesday]
[2:30 PM]
[The Gas Station, Chuo Ward, Sapporo]
(Akechi goes through the restroom and locks the door.)
Akechi: ......*gulp*
(Akechi looks at himself on the mirror.)
Akechi: ............Per.......so.....na..........!
(A gust of air blows under Akechi with a dark red aura surrounding him, as he switches into his Metaverse form and his Persona "Robin Hood" slowly appears out.)
Crow: ......Oh shit....
How?......How is this possible?
(Crow looks onto himself.)
Crow: [https://img.wattpad.com/240b5a065c943f784f0799e9049ae6c918918df5/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f66736965357476444977727453773d3d2d313132303439383034302e313661356531323264633063373461633439303038383532323337342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Crow: ......this is odd........It's my undercover suit. And.....my Persona......why is it only him?
(Crow notices something on his hip.)
Crow: Huh?
(A gold, futuristic-looking cylindrical object is hanged by his hip, he grabs it.)
Crow: Wait.....
(He presses the button.)
....
(A light blue photon appears out.)
Crow: This.....this is my sword.....how?
Tatsuo (muffled): Hey Kei! We're a bit short-staffed here!
Crow: Shit!-
(Crow switches back.)
Akechi: I'm coming!
(Akechi quickly unlocks the door and exits the restroom.)
[11:30]
Shinji: *sigh* Today's a slow day this time.
Tatsuo: Man, I'm beat.
Saito: *yawn*
Akechi: .......
(Akechi is paused as he thinks about Sumire's situation and his sudden Persona awakening.)
(Shinji notices Akechi.)
Shinji: Oi, Kei. You okay there 'bud?
Akechi: .....
Tatsuo: Eh, he's spacing out as usual.
Shinji: No.....he seems...scarred.
Akechi: ....
(Shinji walks to Akechi.)
Shinji: Hey, Kei!
Akechi: .......
Shinji: KEI!
Akechi: HA!-......Sorry....What is it?
Shinji: You look dead there, What happened?
Akechi: Nothing......I was just overthinking.
Tatsuo: Told ya!
Shinji: You've got me a bit worried there, Are you sure?
Akechi: Yeah yeah....I'm fine.
[11:35 AM]
(Everyone but Akechi has left the gas station.)
(Akechi has closed the convenience store and puts on his black jacket.)
Akechi: *exhale* Brrr....
(Akechi walks to his car.)
Akechi: ......!
(He notices Watanabe smoking as he stands next to Akechi's car.)
Watanabe: How's the progress?
Akechi: Watanabe-san.
(Akechi walks near to him.)
Watanabe: 'You got anything?
Akechi: .......I ran into him in my house, Him and his boys beat the shit out of me.
Watanabe: Your debt, I see.....Ishida, wasn't it?
Akechi: Yeah.
Watanabe: I got info of where the Egashira family might be, but it's not their HQ.
Akechi: Hm?
(Watanabe pulls out his phone.)
Watanabe: I've sent you the location.
Akechi: Wait......Why can't you go?
Watanabe: I've gained much exposure into the criminal world, I can waltz my ass there. But I want to save myself a trouble after all the shit I've done for the force.
Akechi: So you want me to go to them? What do you expect me-
Watanabe: You're an ex-detective right?
Akechi: Huh?
(Watanabe quickly punches Akechi.)
Akechi: !
(But Akechi grabs his wrist.)
Akechi: ....
Watanabe: Hmph
(Watanabe smiles, he removes his hand.)
Watanabe: Looks like you're still smooth as silk.
Akechi: ...
Watanabe: You have no deadline on this one, but I suggest you do it early on. The quicker the better.
Akechi: ......got it.
Watanabe: One more thing.
(Watanabe hands Akechi a silencer.)
Watanabe: You might be needing this, I'll be seeing you.
(Watanabe pats Akechi's shoulder and leaves.)
Akechi: ......
.....
(Akechi gets into his car, he closes the door. Then he placed the silencer on a small container that's next to the handbrake.)
Akechi: ........ *sigh*
(Akechi puts his hand to the steering wheel, he leans his head to it.)
Akechi: (To think Sumire has been kidnapped......)
(Akechi leans back to his seat.)
.....
(He looks at the silencer.)
Akechi: hm...
(He then gets ahold of it and glances closer.)
Akechi: .........!
(It's the same exact silencer he used to kill the cognitive Ren, A "Walther PPK".)
) [https://img.wattpad.com/9f0d81863961477e674ace6d5776ffff2187b150/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5062745636745f68534f575742513d3d2d313132303439383034302e313661356535326434646363626363303832363937303834333730312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
....
....
*sigh*
Akechi: (It still all comes back to me.....Why...?)
(Akechi starts his car and drives away.)
[11:54]
[Bar Restare]
(Akechi enters in.)
Hana: Welcome back! Akechi-chan~
(Hana smiles as she blushes.)
Akechi: Hey.....
(Akechi has a gloomy expression, he walks to his usual seat that's near the counter.)
Hana: The usual?
Akechi: Mhmm...
(Hana prepares his whiskey.)
Hana: Alright, There you go-
(Akechi has his head leaned down to the counter with his arms covering.)
Hana: .....Akechi?
Akechi: ....
(Hana walks close to Akechi.)
Hana: Hey....
Akechi: ........
Hana: Akechi....
(Hana leans toward Akechi and pats his head.)
Hana: There there.......What's wrong?.....
Akechi (semi-muffled): All these damn years....they still find me.
Hana: Hm?...
.....
Wait!- you mean.....the Tokyo police?
(Akechi nods his head.)
Akechi: They found me....and wanted me to do a case for them.
Hana: You can't turn it down?
Akechi: Mhmm....
Hana: Why's that?
Akechi: ........someone close to me...is in danger..
(Hana is left with a shocked expression.)
Akechi: I don't even know what to do......I just accepted this case...
(A silent air flows through the bar.)
Hana: *sigh* Well.......I guess.....the best you can do is to keep going.
Akechi: Hm?
Hana: Mmm.....What can you do? If we do nothing....then that person might die. The only thing you can do is to stop it, right?
Akechi: I know...I know....it's just....
Hana: I'm pretty sure that "close someone" will be very glad to see you again, Y'know.
(Akechi puts his head back up.)
Akechi: I......I just don't know....*sigh*
Hana: I know you pushed everyone away, But that was just you lost in your emotions, right?
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Akechi: ......hm?
Hana: They probably didn't intend to take you as that type of person after that. They still see you as a man with a good heart.
(Akechi looks at Hana.)
Akechi: .......you don't understand...I've done a terrible thing to them.
Hana: Mhmm *nod* But it wasn't your fault, right? You were just told from what I can remember. I'm sure they can forgive you for that.
(Akechi sighs as he closes his eyes.)
Hana: You never mentioned me that close someone. Who's that person?
Akechi: .....
Hana: Hey...it's alright.
Akechi: .....well......her name is Sumire.
Hana: Mhmm.
Akechi: I met her like 5 or 4 years ago, she's the daughter of a TV host who interviewed me before.....Think his name was Shinichi.
Hana: Shinichi? As in Shinichi Yoshizawa?
Akechi: Yeah......Well on that time I met her, I didn't expect she would be with another friend of mine of who I met weeks prior. We spent times together......Eventually he managed to spend enough time on me and her to form a bond between us three.
Hana: Did you....tried to....you know?
Akechi: What?
Hana: Date her?
Akechi: I wouldn't say that, I had too much of my time playing detective. Besides the other one was interested on her....
Hana: I see....what about that other one?
Akechi: Hm?
Hana: That guy who was with...Sumire was it? Yeah.
Akechi: .........
Hana: ......hm?
Akechi: .........Ren.
Hana: Ren?
Akechi: Yeah.....He was the reason I pushed everyone away.
Hana: Huh? What do you mean?
Akechi: *chuckle* It's funny.....because I pushed him the most because of my jealousy. He had everything that I don't.
I even had to say that I hated him upfront.
Hana: He had......everything? Like what?
Akechi: ......friends.
Hana: Huh?
Akechi: I know I know.....it was kinda stupid. But it was me going through a time.
The last time I met him, we fought each other. He defeated me. Later on....that's when I ran away to.....here.
Hana: Huh....I see.
Akechi: Now I don't even know if I can face him, The case involving Sumire....I think Ren might be involved with it too.
Hana: Hey, like I just said. You were emotional at the time. I think this Ren person really didn't mean to take a hatred on you too.
If you said he had friends, that's most likely because he cares everyone. Including you.
Akechi: .......
(Akechi remembers the time during his battle with Ren, 4 years ago.)
Joker: "It isn't over Akechi. You can still redeem yourself.."
Akechi: .......maybe you're right...
(Hana smiles at Akechi as she blushes.)
Akechi: .....
(Akechi slightly smiles back.)
Hana: So......what are you gonna do now.
Akechi: I've been told, The whereabouts of someone who's linked to Sumire's kidnapper is around here.
Hana: You're going by yourself?
Akechi: I've been told to do so.
Hana: It's been like 4 years since you last did something like this, Are you sure you can still do it?
(Akechi looks at his right hand.)
Akechi: (With the return of my Persona.....I guess I can try.)
Maybe so.....
(Akechi looks at his electronic LCD wristwatch, it's 12:17 AM.)
Akechi: Well....I have to go. It's getting a bit late for me.
(Akechi stands up and walks away to the door. Hana follows him.)
Akechi: ....
Hana: One more thing.
(Before Akechi opens the door, he turns around and sees Hana in front of him.)
Hana: ......
Akechi: ......
(Hana hugs Akechi.)
Akechi: !......
(Akechi blushes.....he wraps his arms around Hana.)
Hana: .....Stay safe.....okay?
Akechi: ......I......I will.
(Both stopped hugging.)
Hana: Good luck, Akechi-chan.
(Hana smiles, Akechi slightly smiles back.)
(Akechi leaves the bar.)
Akechi: ......well that was certainly unexpected from her.
[June 17 2020, Wednesday]
[4:42 PM]
[The Gas Station, Chuo Ward, Sapporo]
[6 hours before Ren's clash with the Public Security.]
(As everyone waits for customers, Akechi is slowly walking back-and-forth with a stern expression and his hands in the pockets.)
Tatsuo: Hey....you know Kei's been actin' weird lately, don't ya think?
Shinji: Yeah. Even yesterday he was like that too.
Akechi: (What was the reason they kidnapped Sumire? Some kind of revenge?)
(Shinji walks to Akechi.)
Shinji: Oi, Kei!
Akechi: (Could it be Ren during that time of this.....fight? This is all hard to take in to. What is even happening?)
Shinji: Kei!
Akechi: Huh?
(Akechi stops walking for a bit.)
Shinji: You seemed stuck up in your thoughts again.
Akechi: Oh- that's just nothing......just trying to pass the time.
[11:35 PM]
(Everyone has left the gas station.)
(Akechi closes the convenience store and puts on his black jacket.)
Akechi: *inhale*......*exhale* Now or never.
(Akechi walks to his car, then gets in. He opens his phone and checks the location Watanabe sent him last night.)
Akechi: Shinhassamu in Jō Teine Ward.....
(Akechi reads the further info about it.)
Akechi: Abandoned warehouses....so that's where they hang out.
(Akechi drives away.)
[11:52]
[Abandoned Warehouses, Shinhassamu, Jō Teine Ward]
(Akechi arrives to the warehouse.)
Akechi's phone: "You have arrived to your destination."
Akechi: .......
(Akechi lets out a determined exhale, He turns off the engine and steps out of his car. He then walks to a warehouse that's filled with noise.)
Akechi: Here goes...
[Inside the Warehouse.]
(Akechi breaks the door open with Robin Hood [https://img.wattpad.com/c2ec2f3348712f33829876f1db2930b8deb7f82d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f766846303466776d72656f385f673d3d2d313132303439383034302e313661373162643030356561356663343135363139323838393037302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
(Akechi breaks the door open with Robin Hood.)
....
(Many yakuza members became silent as they look at Akechi.)
Yakuza member E : Hey! Who the fuck are you!?
Akechi: Ishida.....where is he!?
...
...
...
Yakuza member E: URK!-
(Everyone laughs.)
(Member B walks near to the left of Akechi.)
Yakuza member B: Ha? You lost kid?
Yakuza member C: He's not here! Go home, gas boy.
(Akechi steps in further.)
Akechi: I'm not asking twice....
Yakuza member E: Oooh Scary man.
Yakuza member D: What's the gas boy's business with the Captain?
???: Hold on!
Akechi: Hm?
(Another member checks, what's going on.)
Akechi: !
(It's one of the members from 2 nights ago.)
Yakuza member A: Wait a minute....you're that guy from before!......Kei!
Akechi: .....
Yakuza member F: You know this guy?
Yakuza member A: Yeah....he's that fucker who thrashed us when Ishida was collecting debt from him!
Yakuza member B: Him!?
Yakuza member C: No way...
Akechi: .....
(Akechi cracks his neck.)
Akechi: PERSONA!
(He switches into his Phantom form, As Robin Hood appears out.)
Yakuza member B: What in the hell is that-
(Crow quickly drives his photon sword through member B.)
Yakuza member B: GACK- AHHAKCK- UUERKKK
(Blood gushes out.)
Crow: ......
(Crow pulls his sword away, he glares back to the front full of the gathered members.)
(Everyone becomes shocked.)
(Member A pulls out his radio.)
Yakuza member A: We need reinforcements! Now!
(He runs away, as many members enter their fighting stance while the others grab any nearby weapons.)
Crow: *gulp*
(Member D punches Crow.)
Crow: !
(Crow dodges through.)
Crow: .....UCK-
(Crow gets hit by a golf club on the right side of his body from behind, he briefly staggers to the left.)
Crow: *pant* *pant*
Yakuza member C: DIEEE!!
(Member C is about to strike down Crow with his golf club.)
Crow: !!!
(Robin Hood blocks the attack from Crow.)
Yakuza member C: W-What!?
(Robin Hood pushes Member C away.)
Robin Hood: SHU!
(Robin Hood quickly follows it up with a punch.)
Yakuza member C: GAAAAAH!
(Member C is sent flying away.)
(Crow quickly stands back up.)
Yakuza member D: OOORRRRYA!
(Member D runs to Crow with an oncoming punch.)
Crow: !!
(Member D lets out the punch.)
(Robin Hood dashes out and quickly punches his elbow.)
Yakuza member D: GA!-
(Crow grabs Member D)
Crow: Hmmmmmmph!
(He throws Member D to Member E in front of him.)
Yakuza member E: OOF!
(Member E quickly stands back up.)
Yakuza member E: TSK!
(Member E runs to Crow.)
Crow: Hmph!
(Robin Hood grabs Member E by the neck.)
Crow: Eigaon!
(Member E starts to bleed out, blood comes out from his eyes and mouth.)
Yakuza member E: GACK- UACCK-......
(Robin Hood lets go of his lifeless body.)
(Crow dashes through.)
Yakuza member F: UAAAAAAHH
(Member F runs towards Crow with a Katana.)
Crow: Shit!
(Member F makes a running slash onto Crow.)
Crow: HUP!
(Crow slides under Member F.)
Yakuza member F: Huh!?.....
(Crow stands back up, Member F looks back at him.)
Yakuza member F: TSK!
Crow: *huff*...*gulp*
(Member F tries to repeatedly slash Crow, But he quickly deflects every oncoming attack.)
Yakuza member F: HUAAAAAH!
(Member F makes a quick overhead slash.)
Crow: HMPH!
(Crow quickly stabs through Member F, He pushes him away from the sword.)
(Few reinforcements arrived.)
Yakuza member G: COME HERE!
(Member G runs to Crow with a knife.)
Crow: !
(Member G tries to stab Crow with his right arm, but he dodges away to his right. He then follows it by kicking his foot, causing Member G to slip backwards.)
Yakuza member G: WA!-
(With Member G in a horizontal position mid-air, Crow finishes him by slamming his body to the ground.)
Crow: *huff* *huff* Tch! Let's make this quick.
(Crow pulls out his pistol.)
Crow: !?
(He finds that he is not carrying his suppressor, but his cognitive golden Mauser pistol instead.)
(A ricochet is heard, Crow quickly ducks.)
Crow: Shit!
(Another member is trying to shoot Crow.)
Crow: Tch!
(Crow quickly rolls to the right, He then shoots him on his body.)
Yakuza member H: GUH!-...
Crow: Persona!
(Robin Hood shoots his arrow to the enemy.)
Yakuza member H: GAAAAH!
(Member H gets blasted away.)
Crow: *phew*
(Crow dashes through.)
Crow: *huff*...*huff*...!!
(A grenade is thrown at him.)
Crow: SHIT
(Crow kicks it away, The grenade detonates in the air.)
Yakuza member A: ENOUGH!
(A chainsaw is heard.)
Crow: !......SHIT!
(Member A is carrying a chainsaw, he then tries to slash Crow with it.)
Crow: !!
(Crow dodges to the side.)
Crow: Hmph!
(Robin Hood dashes through and punches the enemy.)
Yakuza member A: GHH!.....Fuck...
(Crow pulls out his pistol and shoots Member A's ankle.)
Yakuza member A: GAAAAH!
(He drops the chainsaw, Robin Hood kicks it away and smashes it.)
Crow: *huff*....*huff*
(Crow slowly walks to the downed member, he switches back to his normal form as Robin Hood disappears back to stationary.)
Akechi: .....*gulp*...*huff*
[12:25 AM]
(Akechi crouches down near to him.)
Akechi: Now tell me......where is Ishida?
Yakuza member A: Like.....I'll fucking....tell you...
Akechi: ....
(Akechi punches his face.)
Yakuza member A: GUH!
(Robin Hood punches him onto his stomach.)
Yakuza member A: GAHAA!-
(Akechi glares at him.)
Yakuza member A: *huff* *huff* That....won't....do shit!
Akechi: HMM!
(Akechi grabs his neck, he pierces his nails into him. A little bit of blood flows out.)
Yakuza member A: AAACK!!-
Akechi: Last chance.
Yakuza member A: ....You're.....taking a life....of someone who....doesn't even have....the answers you're looking for!
Akechi: What do you mean by that!?
Yakuza member A: Ishida.....he....he's always out doing anything.....hell....I don't even know if he's touching base back in HQ....or fucking someone's daughter....
Akechi: HQ......
(Akechi switches again.)
(Crow then pulls out his photon sword at him.)
Yakuza member A: !!!
Crow: You tell me where it is.
Yakuza member A: I....figured you would ask!.....But....Fuck you!
Crow: .....
(Crow slowly puts the photon sword into his body, smoke is emitting and hissing noises are heard as he adds pressure on his sword into him.)
Yakuza member A: GAAAAAAAAAH
(Crow retracts his sword.)
Crow: Last chance.
Yakuza member A: N-N-Nangodori!.....S-.....Shiroishi Ward!...
(Crow switches back.)
Akechi: Thank you.
(Akechi stands up and exits the warehouse.)
Akechi: *phew*.....
(Akechi pulls out his phone and calls Watanabe.)
....
....
....
Watanabe: "Talk to me."
Akechi: I've got down their location.
Watanabe: "Where."
Akechi: Shiroishi Ward
Watanabe: "I see, Let's discuss this tomorrow."
Akechi: Yeah....
(Akechi ends the call.)
Akechi: .....
(He walks to his car.)
Akechi: *sigh*
(He leans to the front bumper of his car on his back, Then he pulls out his box of cigarettes and a lighter. He smokes.)
[Hours later.]
[4:20 PM]
[The Gas Station.]
Akechi: Thank you very much, Please come again!
(Akechi bows as the customer's car drives away.)
(His phone vibrated.)
Akechi: Hm?
(He checks it, It's a message from Watanabe.)
Watanabe: "Meet me by the parking lot near the convenience store."
Akechi: Convenience store?......that could be at Odori Avenue. That's not too far from here.
(Akechi keeps back his phone.)
[11:37]
(Everyone has left the Gas Station.)
(Akechi closes down the convenience store and puts on his jacket.)
Akechi: Alright, better not keep him waiting.
(Akechi walks away.)
[11:50]
[Parking Lot, Odori Avenue]
(Akechi passes through a crossing street and sees a convenience store.)
Akechi: ...
(He looks at his left, which is a small parking lot.)
Akechi: (Watanabe should be there....)
(He walks to the parking lot, and sees Watanabe leaning to a wall and smoking.)
(Watanabe notices Akechi.)
Watanabe: Oi...
(Akechi walks close to him.)
(Watanabe hands him a box of cigarettes.)
Watanabe: Want some?
Akechi: Sure.
(Watanabe gives him a cigarette and lights it for him.)
(Akechi let's out the smoke.)
Watanabe: Let's go over what we're gonna do next.
Akechi: Okay...
Watanabe: I've gathered enough info, perhaps Ishida is the final stepping stone to our answer about Sumire.
Akechi: Hm?
Watanabe: Ishida is the only Egashira family member who's associated with the Kaneshiro mafia, specifically one guy who's in it.
And I can't believe it myself but....that "one guy" is someone I know.
Akechi: You have the name of Ishida's man?
Watanabe: Yes....His name is
"Takumi Matsushige".
We're gonna confront Ishida in Nangodori, Ask him where the hell is he.
Akechi: Wait....you're saying you're coming with me?
Watanabe: Yeah, this is my responsibility after all. I can't be dumping all of this shit to you.
Akechi: ....thanks...
...
...
Takumi.....Him being in the Kaneshiro.....They're mostly based in Tokyo, right?
Watanabe: Yes, But the Kaneshiro have been relocating around frequently so it's gonna be hard tracking him down. Only Ishida knows the majority of their info since they're like oath brothers or something.
Akechi: I see....
Watanabe: I gotta give it to you, This man is known to cause one hell of a ruckus. An angry man I should say. I didn't expect him to be linked with Kaneshiro, but I've been hunting him down for months.
Akechi: Hmph...An angry man is usually always the weak one.
Watanabe: Not him, He's one hell of a fighter. I had a run-in with him one time.....I've underestimated him.
Akechi: Hm?
Watanabe: I don't know what type of shit he's got. But for some reason, none of my attacks can get past through him. And his strength, it's something...
Akechi: He's that strong? If we're ever to find him. How in the hell do we approach?
Watanabe: We're gonna try talking him down. If all fails, At least I have you by my side. He's gonna have one hell of a fight.
Akechi: I see then......Wait!- this implies that I'm-
Watanabe: Yes.....you're coming to Tokyo with me.
Akechi: But- I- ....fuck.
Watanabe: Don't worry, I'll make sure no one's gonna bat an eye on you. This is just going to be one time and you're heading back to here. Got it?
Akechi: ......yeah, understood.
....
....
But.....why me?
Watanabe: Hm?
Akechi: Why did you need me in this case? Why didn't you ask anyone else?
Watanabe: Heh...Because....I know damn well with you being here, we'll get this job done quick.
Akechi: Huh?
Watanabe: I could ask anyone, sure. But everyone else isn't as the same level as me. You being dubbed as the "Detective Prince"? You've sold many cases before and I find this case a tough one to crack ever since Takumi came around.
Akechi: ...
(I'm not even a professional, I'm just a rookie who made lies by killing people in the other world.)
Watanabe: And also, I've heard you've known Sumire years back, right?
Akechi: !.........yeah..
Watanabe: I figured for something that involves with her, you'd take the case.
Akechi: ...
Watanabe: Anyway.....get yourself ready for tomorrow, I'll be seeing you there.
Akechi: ....yeah
(Watanabe pats Akechi's shoulders as he leaves.)
Akechi: .........
(Akechi drops his cigarette and steps on it.)
Akechi: *sigh*
(He walks away from the parking lot.)
[June 19 2020, Friday]
[7:42 AM]
[Akechi's Apartment]
(Akechi is sleeping....)
....
....
....
(Akechi instantly wakes up.)
Akechi: SHIT!
(He quickly dresses up into his gas uniform and leaves the house, he then gets into his car and speeds away.)
[On the way to the Gas Station.]
[7:50 AM]
Akechi: (Oh man....how am I gonna explain to Nakamura about this!?)
...
...
(Akechi notices a black smoke on the air.)
Akechi: Huh?.....
(The presences of it is starting to be bigger as he nears to the gas station.)
....
....
....
(Akechi arrives to the Gas Station.)
Akechi: Holy shit....
(The Gas Station is on fire.)
(Akechi exits his car, he is left with a shocked expression.)
[END OF CHAPTER, TO BE CONTINUED.]