Chapter Text
When I first met you, you hated me, and sometimes I wonder if that hate surpassed your hate for anything else. But you were justified in your hate. After all, I was a police officer, something you’d call a “filthy government dog,” and you were my fugitive. Or perhaps, dear God Hunter, it was the other way around…
We were meant to run away from each other.
But what did we do?
We ran towards each other.
You were driven by hate, and I was driven by the simple need for a friend. Your hate didn’t scare me away for even a moment, and I accepted it. Though I couldn’t wait for it to disappear, I willed you to take your time. A friendship is not something to be rushed. No matter how much I needed an email buddy, I had to be patient.
But there was so much mail I had to deliver, and I had to deliver it to you, dear stranger from the café.
***
Sasaki Isaburo
Hello. Is this the gentleman to whom I gave my email at the café this morning?
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
I’m not sure. You gave a lot of people your email at the café this morning.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Indeed. I’m always looking for more email buddies. You are the only one to reply to me so far.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Is that so?
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Sasaki Isaburo
Yes. Now, I don’t believe I got your name. What is it?
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Is it not saved in your contacts?
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Sasaki Isaburo
I am fairly certain your name is not “Tall Person With Straight Hair.”
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
But I AM a tall person with straight hair.
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Sasaki Isaburo
That’s an interesting claim. I remember you being quite short, rather like a child, and your hair being the most violent form of wavy.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
You remember wrong.
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Sasaki Isaburo
If you insist. What is your proper name?
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
I don’t know that I should tell you my name. You seem like a cop.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Nonsense. I would never arrest a friend.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
But you admit to being a cop?
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Sasaki Isaburo
If that would bring you peace of mind.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Then it would be in my best interest not to speak with you any further.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Don’t waste your time. I already know exactly who you are. I could see it in your eyes.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
In my eyes, huh?
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Sasaki Isaburo
You examine the world through an assassin’s lens.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Heh. You’re clever for a cop. I am indeed an assassin, but that is merely a side hustle.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Is that so? I wouldn’t have guessed.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Tell me, cop, what is my main occupation?
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Sasaki Isaburo
By the way you carried yourself, I would suspect you are a bounty hunter.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Ah. That would be correct.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Though I can’t imagine who you are after.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
It depends on the day.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Even knowing this much about you, I still don’t know your name.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
Let’s keep it that way.
I suppose you’re going to come after me now, so come on. Bring a car. A fast one. I can outrun most of your so-called “advanced” vehicles.
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Sasaki Isaburo
That’s an impressive claim.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
It’s not a claim. Come see for yourself.
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Sasaki Isaburo
I do not wish to. As I stated before, I wish to be email buddies with you. Why would I arrest a buddy?
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
I assure you we are far from buddies.
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Sasaki Isaburo
If you say so. It is getting late and I will speak to you again tomorrow.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
If you’re alive tomorrow.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Oh?
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
A threatening individual cannot cross paths with me and expect to live.
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Sasaki Isaburo
I assure you, my friend, I am no threat.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
And I assure you we are not friends.
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Sasaki Isaburo
Perhaps not yet.
But I must say, dear friend, that small bit of information you just provided me has led to a conclusion.
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Tall Person With Straight Hair
And what is that conclusion?
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Sasaki Isaburo
Your name.
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Katsura Kiba
I see.