“I gotta be decisive on what I do next… So why’m I so filled with doubt?”

…

“… I have t’ see this through the end. No matter what, tha’s what I vowed t’ do. I came int’ this Game with that in mind… so… I s'ppose we’ll stick to that, huh?”

Takuto pats the pole.

“Well. Guess it’s time to go, huh?”

Takuto stood in front of the pole. How funny, that a day – a mistake, a single person – could change your mindset. He stands, and he stares, and he feels like his insides churning.

“Is somethin’ wrong with me?” He asks the air.

He gets no answer.

“I… I’m still fightin’ for the right thing, am I? F'r gettin’ out of here ‘n goin’ back to my life? For makin’ sure tha’ my partner makes it home safe ‘n sound? For… bein’ a good person, t’ everyone?”

He gets no answer.

“This Game brings out change 'n all sortsa people. Even people set in their ways. So… what happened? Why’m I feelin’ 'n thinkin’ this way?”

He gets no answer.

“…” Takuto’s gaze falls to the gathering of items at the base of the pole. He tries to feel something. He doesn’t. He gets no answer, and he has a feeling that he won’t anytime soon.

He would just have to find his own.

“… I told th’ boss a’ one point,” he says, “tha’ I think my psyche’s based off’ve things existin’ in twos. Everything’s got two sides t’ them; black 'n white, Reapers 'n Players, life 'n death, an’ right 'n wrong. There’re dualities that’re definitive an’ extend way beyond our understanding an’ control.”

…

“I wanna get t’ know those things, 'n I’ll do what it takes t’ cut through the stuff in between. I will find my answer, whether you or anyone helps me 'r not. An’ I’ll do the same f'r the moment I face Tobio-tantei.

“We’ll see exactly where he lies with his justice soon enough.”

Takuto turns to leave, but then pauses.

”… Hey. Y’ like this sort’ve stuff, right?“ He says as he fishes out a 100 Yen coin and tosses it at the donation box nearby. "Not tha’ it matters, bu’ consider it repayment for the gross amount’ve debt I have on ya.”

And yet, Takuto felt at peace.

He came to the memorial and had to pause. The memorial was in immaculate shape, as it always was; not a single ware was out of place, and no Noise seemed to be around the area. Takuto marveled at this strange and small miracle before shaking his head. He approached the pole and stared up at it.

“I asked for strength ‘n you gave it to me. Between the good days I’ve had an’ the power I’ve come t’ hone, I’m startin’ t’ feel like I should be in debt to you.” He tilts his head slowly.

“I’m thankful for what y’ve done f'r me so far… but I’m the last person who’d bow down t’ someone like you.

"If y’re the same person that put people like Tobio-tantei on this earth, then I’ll be th’ last person t’ follow your lead. If I go t’ hell for standin’ up against fucked up stuff like that, then I’ll gladly go there. So here’s t’ blazin’ forward like a fallen star, so I can get back t’ what I was doin’ before I got caught up in this shit. Yeah?”