[ch. 7] post-investigation, w/ sanji

[asswipe]

[HELLO, SANJI... Wherever he may be today, considering two corpses showed up in the kitchen. God.

In any case, Veronica looks relieved to see him after the body announcements.]

... I'm glad that you're still alive.

[Since... well. Gestures at everything.]

Comments

[concasse]

[...]

Souji is coming with me.

[His voice is soft]

Ion and Magnus are kids, and Stephanie-chan has suffered enough. I know Souji will agree with me.

Either he kills me, or the other way around. Then you guys gotta vote off whoever survives.

[asswipe]

[Ah.

There it is. It looks like she's going to cry because holy shit, fuck off with that. But. She doesn't.]

... Sanji. You're the second Editor, aren't you? If you killed someone this week under orders, there's no other way around.

[concasse]

[... Y'know what? He.... smiles.

In apology.]

I'm sorry, Veronica-chan, that wasn't fair of me.

... I guess I didn't want to admit to you I gotta lose.

[asswipe]

... It's not your fault that things played out this way.

[God, she hates this so much.]

We'll make it quick, I promise. It'll be like a one day vacation and then you'll be back. Both of you will.

[concasse]

... I wouldn't blame anyone for not making it quick at this point.

[He's... killed a lot of people by this point. Did she always know? Sanji isn't sure, he doesn't want to ask.

A tired smile is aimed at the floor]

But it's Souji, so... I'm sure he's gonna make it as quick as he can.

[asswipe]

Anyone who wouldn't can fuck off.

[Regardless of when she knew, she knows he can't be blamed for what he's done. So. Well.

It's fine, probably.]

... For what it's worth, I'm sorry it came down to you guys. I wish— I wish there was another way. This isn't fair.

[concasse]

[Damn, that startles a laugh outta him. Has he mentioned he's glad she's going to survive?

Because he really, truly is.]

It isn't -- but trust me when I say he and I can take it.

... We're tired, Veroni-chan.

A little break is good for us both.

[...]

No matter what happens, keep everyone else in line, would ya? I trust you to do that.

[asswipe]

[... Haha. That sure is uncomfortably close to "stick around here and make things better," but. She manages to give him a thin smile, anyway. This sucks.]

... I'll make sure the others don't trash the kitchen while you're gone. You can rest easy, I promise.

[concasse]

[Take a frying pan to everyone's head ala Rapunzel if they start shit, Veronica. That counts as keeping them in line, right?]

Heh, thanks.

[...]

Would you have a drink with me? I always enjoyed getting to spend time with you.

[One last hurrah]

[asswipe]

[Oh, what the fuck. Don't make her cry, Sanji.]

... Of course I would. One last drink before we rescue all our friends, right?

[Alternatively: One last drink before she has to watch one of her friends murder the other, and then vote for her remaining friend.

Ha ha.]