[ The Detective Prince is supposed to–

Not I'm supposed to–

Maruki will most certainly remember that. ]

Maybe so. That's an optimistic take on the situation. I should try to follow suit.

[ This isn't like him, he knows that. Or– it is like him, but in a way Akechi hasn't had reason to see yet. Even the few times he's been angry in Somnius, it hasn't been anything like this.

Most days, he feels so far from the man that he was when he left Tokyo that it's nearly unreachable. At times like this, he still has one foot in that reality. In his old professor's office, spitting Masayoshi Shido's name and laying the connections he'd drawn bare. So many things have changed since the day he appeared in Somnius. If nothing else, this is a good reminder that his rage has not.

Still. He shakes his head after a moment, offers Akechi a more genuine smile. ]

Sorry. I shouldn't allow myself to be so thrown by a cognitive manipulation – especially not a ridiculous video game-themed one. I'm sure there's no repercussions if we ignore that quest.

[ A thoughtful pause. ]

Or perhaps there will be. We could leave this cafe and enter into a boss battle.

[ That might be fun. ]