Chapter 5
Shizuku watched as Minori's legs trembled through the door, hoping for the best for her.
"Good, you're here. Then let's begin your interrogation, shall we?"
"W-wait!"
Es looked at Minori, highly confused.
"If me hurting you is your concern, rest assured that I won't use violence--"
"That's not it, Hinom--- Warden…! I've just noticed how no one calls you by an actual name."
Es chuckled.
"Well… That was unexpected… My name is Es, 002."
Minori looked down in disappointment.
"You don't seem that happy with my answer, I didn't know names were such a big deal."
"It's not that, really!! I'm not disappointed… Es…"
"Very well, then. Tell me, 002…"
Es got closer to Minori, her taking a step backwards.
"You like idol culture quite a lot, don't you?"
Minori's eyes shined at the question, still thinking it was a bit out of character for Shiho to ask that, but glad she did.
"Yes!! I do! Have you heard of ASRUN, Es-chan?"
"Woah, woah, slow down.
…I do not think I have, who are they?"
"It was an idol group, my favorite was Haruka, she was so cool!!"
Es hummed.
"Alright… you're saying they were an idol group. Were they disbanded?"
"Well, yeah… It happened after Haruka was killed."
"Oh… How do you feel about Haruka's death--?"
Minori went stiff all of the sudden.
"Why do you ask?"
Es was interrupted by Minori, whose sweet personality had shifted into a colder one at the mention of the dead idol.
"This is an interrogation. Do I have to remind you that by other means, 002?"
Minori silently stared at Es, shaking her head furiously without making a sound.
"Answer the question."
Minori shut her eyes tight. Es watched.
"Stay silent if you want, I'm not about to stop you."
Es declared, making Minori look at her, still not saying a word.
"Listen here, you little shit."
Es grabbed Minori's collar.
"I don't care that you don't talk, or that you lie about anything, I have ways to see the truth of your sin. But what I will not tolerate is you acting all mean and fightsy, you understand, 002?"
Minori remained silent.
Es let go.
"I guess it really is pointless to talk to you about your crime."
"So talk to me about how you've been holding up here."
Minori finally broke her silence.
"It's been okay… I know some people."
Her personality was suddenly so cold, Es just smelled Jackalope's comments from miles away.
But nevertheless, the bell rang once more.
"Well, this was definitely something, don't you think?
"Prisoner 002, Minori,
Come now, sing your sins!"