act21side

Which is the real you, Salvadore?

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?

And when that day comes, what would you choose?

When that day comes... would you remain by my side?

A brilliant performance, signorina.

Without a doubt, you've surpassed my expectations yet again.

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.

Ben?

I'm not sure we have anyone by that name at Teatro di Milano.

Huh?

He was really knowledgeable about theater and gave me some extremely helpful pointers, so I figured he was an important person here.

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.

More importantly, I saw something on your resume that had me a bit curious. Would you mind clarifying something for me?

Sure, ask away.

You've been pursuing a pop idol career in Lungmen.

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.

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.

What this tells me, though, is that you have your sights set on a lot more than just Lungmen.

What drives you to work so hard?

Well... a lot of different reasons, I'd say.

But at the start, I didn't have anything complicated in mind. There was just someone I hoped to catch up to.

Oh?

Hehe, it's just like in the script.

Every time she gazed through the window, or out the door, or across the empty streets, her eyes...

Her eyes made me feel like, one day, she would leave both us and Lungmen behind.

'And when that day comes, what would you choose?'

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?

I'm busy right now.

What a coincidence, so am I.

Let me guess, your job is to protect this man?

What are you—

Eep...!

Some people really need to learn to read the room. Don't you agree, Texas?

Go protect the target. I'll deal with her.

U-Understood!

So, want some mille-feuille?

...I'll take a piece.

Haha, now that's more like it!

So, Texas. Whoops, now that we're in Siracusa, I should be calling you Cellinia, right?

I'd rather you didn't.

Fine by me. Honestly, I find it easier that way, too. Force of habit can sure be a scary thing, can't it?

Living a leisurely life in Lungmen, occasionally bumping into each other at Rhodes Island, maybe even going on some missions together...

Makes me feel like my swords are gonna go rusty.

This ever-familiar rain is what makes me feel alive.

Swords rust in the rain.

In Siracusa, the rain washes away the blood.

Only people like you - who walk around town with your swords out but no intention to use them - need to worry about rust.

Why are you here?

It's simple, really. Because you are.

Hey, Texas, how long has it been since you were last in Siracusa?

Probably about ten years now?

Seven years and five months.

For more than seven years, the prodigal daughter of Famiglia Texas has not set foot in Siracusa.

I still remember how your grandfather sent you back here to serve as a hostage. You stayed with Famiglia Saluzzo for a while...

Those days didn't last long, but we sure got along great, didn't we?

If that's your idea of 'getting along.'

Even though you're a Columbian, you managed to win the acknowledgment of all of Siracusa's famiglie.

Though, it was truly a shame what happened at the end.

If you ask me, you ought to stay a while this time, and take a good look around.

I'm going back as soon as I finish my work here.

Oh. Going back, you say?

Now that you mention it, there's something I've always been curious about, Texas.

You betrayed the Texases and decided to become a lone wolf.

You even abandoned everything the Texases left behind in Columbia. So why do you still go by the name Texas in Lungmen?

That's none of your business.

Lappland.

I don't plan on staying in Siracusa.

I will go back to Lungmen. There are people waiting for me there.

Okay then. I'll help you.

I don't need your help.

Surely you don't think this is a fight you can take all on your own?

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?

Siracusa is no place for tourists.

If Rhodes Island ever plans to set up a branch office here, I would urge them to reconsider.

But most of all, I can't trust <i>you</i>, specifically.

Ah yes, trust.

Texas, you know my family name, right?

Saluzzo.

That's right. And we Saluzzos don't place our bets lightly.

You don't need to trust me, but you do need our backing, isn't that right?

Or do you really intend to let the Bellones drag you around by the leash?

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.

A car bomb?!

Oh? Now that's a classic.

S-Signor Ministro!

The banquet venue is under attack! All nearby famiglia associates, hurry and back us up!

Damnit!

Simultaneous attacks on two fronts? Now that's interesting!

Who would have the guts to pull that off, Texas?

Show yourself.

...I knew it.

What should I do if I want to go back to Lungmen?

Ever since Texas took her first step back in this city, that question has always been on her mind.

Going by her agreement with Zaaro, the easiest way would be to obey Famiglia Bellone's every command.

But right now, Texas can already vaguely feel that—

The events unfolding in this city are not so simple.

Talk. Who sent you?

You don't need to know.

But she is not worried.

She understands Siracusa well, and knows that there is no end to these things.