"Although I know there is a need for someone of her profession, I've never had the need to employ her. What use would I have for them? That said, I will admit I've wondered about something.
"...My biological parents. Whether they're alive or dead, I wouldn't know. I've never made the effort to find out. No time, no interest. However, if they are dead, I suppose there's a chance their bodies passed through her line of work. And if they're alive... perhaps she knows someone who could uncover information on them.
"But in the end, I dismiss the thought entirely. The past is the past, and I've no intention of chasing ghosts. What matters is the future. Even if she did have answers, they would change nothing."
Kaoru Shinozaki
"This young woman... she has something of a reputation among the workers in our warehouses. Or rather, her coffee addiction does.
"You see, whenever a large shipment comes in, there's almost always an order addressed to a mansion in Edogawa, under her name. And nine times out of ten, the workers are pulling straws to decide who's stuck making that delivery. Whether it's the manor itself that unsettles them or the sheer amount of coffee they have to offload, I wouldn't know. But the fact that it happens every time means there's a pattern. And it usually points straight to her.
"Aside from that… there's something else. Back when LIMITLESS was starting up, my company ran into issues with an unknown hacker. Someone siphoning funds, stocks, pulling money from various accounts under LIMITLESS's name. If I hadn't prepared multiple savings beforehand, the company would've collapsed before it even began.
"I don't know if she's the one responsible, and I'm not going to throw accusations without proof. But if she is involved, then I'd like to have a conversation with her. Not to argue or demand answers. But to assess what vulnerabilities exist in my security and ensure it never happens again."
Kanra Akemi
"I've heard rumors about this young girl, claims of ridiculous strength and endurance that seem almost unnatural for someone her age. Stopping a speeding car with her bare hands? Swinging street signs like they're nothing? Frankly, it all sounds exaggerated. A young girl possessing superhuman strength? I find that very hard to believe."
Wicked Requiem
"Wicked Requiem is a fascinating team. It's no wonder they have such a fearsome reputation. And the thing is, I don't know whether its due to the team as a whole, or all of them individually. Extensive research and planning is going to need to take place before we face off against them. Approaching this without a plan is paramount to rushing straight to defeat. And I refuse to lose so early in this competition."
“I’m killing Kanra. This is the second time she’s done this shit. I will get her back for this mark my word. Sorry about about all this Lyall. I can't believe she entered us together. You probably have more important stuff than being forced to compete in another pageant.”
“It’s no problem Kaoru. I don't mind competing in another pageant again at least I get a chance to hang out with you. I gotta say you pull off goth really nicely. I just can't believe you actually dyed your hair for this Kaoru.”
“Well if I'm going to be goth. I'm going to go all in.”
“Ms. Kuromiya is… Interesting, to say the least. I’ve only had the pleasure of speaking with her a handful of times whenever Daiki wandered into the Edogawa area. I have a feeling she has an inkling of what I am up to. Yet for some peculiar reason, she hasn’t done anything about it. I suppose she has her reasons, but I am wondering how far I could push her. I cannot help it; I do enjoy the little mental dance that we’ve been keeping up. After all, much like myself, Ms. Kuromiya is hiding her own secrets. Nothing as serious as mine I believe, but I do enjoy digging into her nerves. It is difficult, to balance my interests with the young master’s security. He is such a handful, that it takes me away from any entertainment I could have…”
Kaoru Shinozaki
“Sigh… Ms. Shinozaki. She is gifted, I can give her that. I just wish she had any other interest and not the same slop the young master loves. It certainly does not help him grow… Well, actually? The first time she had created something for the young master, it actually scared him. A rare thing to see since he is usually a reckless moron. I suppose amid his delusions, he still holds firm that he does not wish to enact extreme violence on another. That sentiment cannot be shared with Ms. Shinozaki… Although, I suspect that she, like the young master is simply lost in the fantasy and forgetting that lasers can do real harm to people.”
Kanra Akemi
“...Akemi. Soon as I saw the young master interacting with this thing, I knew that it was another one of them. The pink hair was a dead giveaway, taking into account the Amemura doubles that are running about. So it was easy to determine Akemi was like them. I had originally thought about reporting Akemi. Only makes sense, with its inhuman abilities and its unnatural abilities, it fit the criteria. However, I have since taken back my decision. After all, no serious harm has been done thus far and in a surprising turn of events, Ms. Kuromiya has been handling it very well. So well, that Akemi is adapting into normal society. I’m sure some of my colleagues might disagree with my actions and consider my refusal to report Akemi as an act of treachery, but how can they expect me to wrangle all these little ones? I’m but a simple butler after all. Nothing more.”
Wicked Requiem
“Wicked Requiem of the Edogawa division… Funny how their district shares the same name as the little detective, Mr. Edogawa. Still, I cannot help but worry that some less-than-savory people are trying to pull something against them. It is painful to think about this lovely found family encountering trouble. I want them to prevail by the end of this. Truly, despite my duties, I wish nothing but the best for them.”
“And if they succeed, it would help me prove that the little ones still have a chance. If not for him, for the others…”
Happy Anniversary to Sakurai Clan! Congratulations to 3 long years! Seems like they got a few girls from their friends from other divisions!
To Aranai from Kaoru - A pair of silver high-tech sunglasses
“Happy Anniversary, Motor Girl! Made these just for you! They'll alert you wherever police cars are hiding!” - Kaoru
To Shisuta from Ayumu - A bouquet of flowers and a cherry blossom shawl
“Happy Anniversary, Shisuta. I hope you're spending it in good faith. Here's a little something from me as congratulations.” - Ayumu
To Kisouna from Yuriko - A suit brooch in the shape of a cherry blossom
“Happy Anniversary, Kisouna. Here's a small gift from me. May the courts always know you'll always represent Ueno.” - Yuriko
Of course, no anniversary is complete without any cake, so to Sakurai Clan, a personally made cake from Kanra!
“Happy Anniversary, Sakurai Clan! Here's to another great 3 years! So enjoy this cake on me!” - Kanra
"Haha~" Aranai laughed to no one in particular as the sunglasses Kaoru had gifted her were on her face and working perfectly, as she had complete knowledge of where all the cops in Ueno were at the present moment. She made a mental note to remember to thank Kaoru big time for this the next time she saw her.
"Oh yeah, these are definitely going to come in handy."
"What will?" Shisuta asked, as she placed the flowers Ayumu had sent in her in a vase, making a mental note to water them later.
"These sunglasses Kaoru gifted me," Aranai said, showing off her new pair of shades. "They'll come in handy for the sun when I'm up on my bike."
"It would have been better if she had sent you a helmet instead," Kisouna quipped, rolling her eyes. The brooch which her co-worker, Yuriko, had gifted her was buttoned on the outside of her jacket.
"I can't count the number of times I've witnessed you riding that bike of yours without any sort of protective gear."
"And you never will." Aranai retorted, smirking. "When you've ridden a bike as long as I have, all a helmet or anything else does is slow you down."
"I'll be sure to tell the masonries to write that on your tombstone." Kisouna said, frowning.
"Bleh, no way! Have them write, 'She died as she lived: 'fast and free'."
"Don't hold your breathe, child."
"Ladies, please." Shisuta said, intervening. "Can we save the arguments for after we've enjoyed this blessing that Kanra-chan has given us?" She said, motioning to the cake that was still on the kitchen table.
"Yeah, alright." Aranai said, placing her sunglasses in her coat pocket.
"Very well." Kisouna agreed, with a sigh. "But try not to eat all of the cake this time, Aranai. I'd like to save some for Yomi when I return home."
