Salvadore Texas. What am I to think of you? Should I trust you?
Sora
You are a Siracusan. They all say that violence and ambition runs in your veins. That you and your famiglia will devour this place... No, all of Columbia.
Sora
Is the man I see before my eyes truly you? So refined, so upstanding?
Sora
But I've also seen the way you throw a punch, the blood dripping between your fingers until your opponent is not able to utter even a single curse.
Sora
Which is the real you, Salvadore?
Sora
Might there come a day when you realize that your two sides are as oil and water? Might there come a day when the trail of blood in your wake catches up to you?
Sora
And when that day comes, what would you choose?
Sora
When that day comes... would you remain by my side?
Bernardo
A brilliant performance, signorina.
Bernardo
Without a doubt, you've surpassed my expectations yet again.
Sora
Actually, it's all thanks to someone in the troupe called Mr. Ben. I would never have been able to adjust so quickly without his advice.
Bernardo
Ben?
Bernardo
I'm not sure we have anyone by that name at Teatro di Milano.
Sora
Huh?
Sora
He was really knowledgeable about theater and gave me some extremely helpful pointers, so I figured he was an important person here.
Bernardo
Sorry, no one comes to mind. That said, there are plenty of enthusiasts around town who are very well-versed in plays. Perhaps he was one of them.
Bernardo
More importantly, I saw something on your resume that had me a bit curious. Would you mind clarifying something for me?
Sora
Sure, ask away.
Bernardo
You've been pursuing a pop idol career in Lungmen.
Bernardo
We've been collaborating with that city more and more recently, but our acting industries have often been at odds with each other, due to their different backgrounds.
Bernardo
But even with that caveat in mind, the clips from your audition sent over by Monster Siren Records convinced me that you have some musical talent.
Bernardo
What this tells me, though, is that you have your sights set on a lot more than just Lungmen.
Bernardo
What drives you to work so hard?
Sora
Well... a lot of different reasons, I'd say.
Sora
But at the start, I didn't have anything complicated in mind. There was just someone I hoped to catch up to.
Bernardo
Oh?
Sora
Hehe, it's just like in the script.
Sora
Every time she gazed through the window, or out the door, or across the empty streets, her eyes...
Sora
Her eyes made me feel like, one day, she would leave both us and Lungmen behind.
What's the hurry? Don't you think it's a miracle for the two of us to run into each other in Siracusa again?
Texas
I'm busy right now.
Lappland
What a coincidence, so am I.
Lappland
Let me guess, your job is to protect this man?
Bellone Bodyguard
What are you—
Bellone Bodyguard
Eep...!
Lappland
Some people really need to learn to read the room. Don't you agree, Texas?
Texas
Go protect the target. I'll deal with her.
Bellone Bodyguard
U-Understood!
Lappland
So, want some mille-feuille?
Texas
...I'll take a piece.
Lappland
Haha, now that's more like it!
Lappland
So, Texas. Whoops, now that we're in Siracusa, I should be calling you Cellinia, right?
Texas
I'd rather you didn't.
Lappland
Fine by me. Honestly, I find it easier that way, too. Force of habit can sure be a scary thing, can't it?
Lappland
Living a leisurely life in Lungmen, occasionally bumping into each other at Rhodes Island, maybe even going on some missions together...
Lappland
Makes me feel like my swords are gonna go rusty.
Lappland
This ever-familiar rain is what makes me feel alive.
Texas
Swords rust in the rain.
Lappland
In Siracusa, the rain washes away the blood.
Lappland
Only people like you - who walk around town with your swords out but no intention to use them - need to worry about rust.
Texas
......
Texas
Why are you here?
Lappland
It's simple, really. Because you are.
Lappland
Hey, Texas, how long has it been since you were last in Siracusa?
Texas
Probably about ten years now?
Lappland
Seven years and five months.
Lappland
For more than seven years, the prodigal daughter of Famiglia Texas has not set foot in Siracusa.
Lappland
I still remember how your grandfather sent you back here to serve as a hostage. You stayed with Famiglia Saluzzo for a while...
Lappland
Those days didn't last long, but we sure got along great, didn't we?
Texas
If that's your idea of 'getting along.'
Lappland
Even though you're a Columbian, you managed to win the acknowledgment of all of Siracusa's famiglie.
Lappland
Though, it was truly a shame what happened at the end.
Lappland
If you ask me, you ought to stay a while this time, and take a good look around.
Texas
I'm going back as soon as I finish my work here.
Lappland
Oh. Going back, you say?
Lappland
Now that you mention it, there's something I've always been curious about, Texas.
Lappland
You betrayed the Texases and decided to become a lone wolf.
Lappland
You even abandoned everything the Texases left behind in Columbia. So why do you still go by the name Texas in Lungmen?
Texas
......
Texas
That's none of your business.
Texas
Lappland.
Texas
I don't plan on staying in Siracusa.
Texas
I will go back to Lungmen. There are people waiting for me there.
Lappland
......
Lappland
Okay then. I'll help you.
Texas
I don't need your help.
Lappland
Surely you don't think this is a fight you can take all on your own?
Lappland
Didn't you find some buddies over in Lungmen? Didn't your time at Rhodes Island teach you that it's okay to rely on others?
Texas
Siracusa is no place for tourists.
Texas
If Rhodes Island ever plans to set up a branch office here, I would urge them to reconsider.
Texas
But most of all, I can't trust you, specifically.
Lappland
Ah yes, trust.
Lappland
Texas, you know my family name, right?
Texas
Saluzzo.
Lappland
That's right. And we Saluzzos don't place our bets lightly.
Lappland
You don't need to trust me, but you do need our backing, isn't that right?
Lappland
Or do you really intend to let the Bellones drag you around by the leash?
Texas
......
With a deafening boom, the sound of an explosion suddenly tore through the air from not too far away. The flash and flame effortlessly engulfed the government official by the name of Carracci.
Texas
A car bomb?!
Lappland
Oh? Now that's a classic.
Bellone Bodyguard
S-Signor Ministro!
Bellone Bodyguard
The banquet venue is under attack! All nearby famiglia associates, hurry and back us up!
Texas
Damnit!
Lappland
Simultaneous attacks on two fronts? Now that's interesting!
Oh, Danbrown, you're here. Looks like I'm in luck.
Carwash Worker
You washed your car just last week, didn't you?
Lavinia
Nothing I can do about it. After all, it's my job to be hated.
Carwash Worker
Don't worry, I'll get it nice and clean again for you.
Carwash Worker
Why don't you take a look around while you wait?
Lavinia
That's alright, I'll just wait here.
Carwash Worker
......
Lavinia
......
Carwash Worker
Your Honor, I heard that judges have it pretty good.
Carwash Worker
They drive fancy cars, show up on TV, and even the mayor has to be extra-polite around them.
Carwash Worker
After all, they represent Signora Sicilia's will.
Carwash Worker
I reckon I don't see any other judges like you, Signorina Lavinia, who get paint thrown on their car every other day.
Lavinia
You're probably right.
Lavinia
I don't know about the fancy cars or TV appearances, but I could sure use a membership card to your store right about now.
Carwash Worker
Sorry, our humble little shop doesn't offer VIP services.
Lavinia
You look like you're in a better mood than before though. Did that one famiglia stop giving you trouble?
Carwash Worker
All thanks to you, Your Honor.
Carwash Worker
I ran into them on the street yesterday, and they all steered clear of me.
Carwash Worker
Never thought there could be a judge as fair as you in Siracusa.
Lavinia
Fair, huh... They're just scared of the people behind me, that's all.
Carwash Worker
You say that, but even if you're backed by Famiglia Bellone, you still doled out punishment to a famiglia well-connected with the Bellones.
Carwash Worker
In Siracusa, Signora Sicilia is justice itself. I don't know how many of the judges representing the interests of her old famiglie actually bother upholding any real justice.
Carwash Worker
But deep down in my heart, I know you're the embodiment of justice.
Lavinia
That isn't actually a compliment.
Lavinia
Oh right, I almost forgot. You said earlier that you were having trouble sleeping. Did you go see a doctor?
Carwash Worker
I did. The doc said I didn't have anything wrong with me physically.
Carwash Worker
Just some mental stress.
Lavinia
Oh, is something troubling you?
Carwash Worker
Troubling me...? I wouldn't go that far.
Carwash Worker
Honestly, this job is basically just a way for me to kill time.
Carwash Worker
I'm not exactly rich, but I'm not desperate for cash either.
Carwash Worker
I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing, Your Honor. I just don't know.
Carwash Worker
How do you usually like to pass the time?
Lavinia
......
Lavinia
It's me.
Lavinia
What?! Carracci was...
Lavinia
I understand. I'll be right there.
Lavinia
Sorry, Danbrown. Let's chat some other time.
Lavinia
As for your question just now—
Lavinia
I'd recommend giving the theater a shot. I often head down to watch an opera if I have the time to spare.
Danbrown exits the store.
He watches as the judge he deeply respects drive off into the rain, quickly disappearing from sight.
'She's always so busy,' he thinks to himself, drying his rain-beaded gloves on his overalls.
But nothing she does will end up mattering, will it?
Or rather, the fact that she still holds onto hope is precisely the reason why she'll be disappointed again and again.
Things weren't this complicated in the good old days. He looks at the rain falling outside the store, and suddenly remembers an afternoon many years ago.
Carwash Worker
I hope it rains a little longer, so I won't have to sweep out the garbage in the morning.
