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...Oh, Penguin Logistics.

That coat was a gift from my daughter.

In all these years, you are the first to even touch it.

How many young people like you are in Lungmen? What are you capable of, actually?

It's enough to just be yourself, isn't it? Or are you upset?

No, I just find myself with some... complex feelings...

But it's getting terribly late now, so it's time I——

Mmng?!

He- he's been shot?

It's that sniper from before. He's still here.

...Target down. Moving to confirm.

What have you done?!

Young Master, he was a threat.

You should never have gone so close to him. He has an affinity for Originium Arts. I could not guarantee your safety.

You must understand, the Young Master's safety is my number one priority.

...What you're saying is... I was bait?

My father knew this would happen, so he sent you to...

Young Master.

Young Master, some things are not as they seem. You will come to understand in time. And I promise, the Master of the House had no intention of exploiting you at any time.

And I believe Penguin Logistics will also be expecting an explanation. I must secure the Rat King's remains and confirm that he is deceased.

It's fine. The boss is gone. There's no one to hear you explain.

Thank you for your understanding. Now, Young Master, do take care.

Bison, now is not the time to dwell on this.

The Rat King promised us a 'gift', don't forget.

It might be a bomb. That Siracusan guy really liked bombs.

That wouldn't be very clever.

And there are still some enemies to worry about. It looks like they're waiting for us?

The Rat King is gone, and they don't seem to be reacting at all?

Right, no reaction whatsoever. Hm... I think I know what's happening...

Let's split up. Sora, Croissant, Exusiai, we'll take care of the remaining enemies.

Bison and Mostima, you deal with the 'gift.'

It's almost sunrise. We're running out of time.

Damn, where could it be...

You're all flustered. Try not to be so emotional.

I did just find out that I was being kept in the dark about my whole purpose here.

...Mostima, did we actually, maybe meet the Rat King before?

We did.

So you had it all figured out from the beginning?

Ahahaha...

Don't try to wriggle out of this one!

Hm. I couldn't have guessed what he was really up to.

But we really don't have much time. The LGD aren't going to sit on their hands.

As crazy as things have gotten around here, with them jumping in, there's no way we'd work it out.

...Victorian gumdrops, the candy box, maybe that was a clue.

But it's just common sense that using the same kind of trap over again would be really dumb.

Yeah, but, why?

If the Rat King really had everything planned out, then us running into him before couldn't be a coincidence.

He was communicating with us from the start.

It's his trap. Why would he want to give us clues? That doesn't make any sense.

I don't know either, maybe we've been too quick to consider him an enemy...? I just have a feeling.

It's not just a feeling. After we met the Rat King, he kept trying to hint at something... or something.

Mmm... Well, it's better than nothing.

Got it.

This is it..?

Looks like it's about 80cm by 40cm, but in an iron box... Yep, this definitely seems like a big gift box to me?

Could- could you explain?

Nope. I don't get it at all.

Then we better call up Texas, maybe she and the girls can——

There's not enough time. This looks like it's got a timer on it.

So it's a bomb?!

So it's a bomb. Pretty cliche. Both in shape and execution.

Right... Mostima, you get out of here.

And what are you going to do?

Take a chance.

This is a custom shield, and my body is pretty tough too. If I play this wrong, I might still survive.

Are you serious?

Yes.

Then I want to see how this plays out. And don't worry, I might be able to mitigate the damage from the explosion.

It's my job, after all.

I know. *Inhale*

*Exhale* Here I go!

You decided? That wire's the same color as my hair.

Erm! M- Mostima! Don't joke with me please! I'm almost——

Ah.

It hit zero! Get behind me!!

Okay, okay.

Nnnngg...

Why isn't it hot?

Wait, this is... candy?!

Pay attention to how you land. You don't want to break anything.

What's that sound?

Not sure, but... Woweee! There's people fallin' from the sky?!

Ow ow ow, why is this happening again... Agh! S- sorry!

S'all right. What're you two doin' up there? Playin' trapeze artist?

Yowch! Somethin' just hit me?

...Candy?

It's raining... candy?

Ugh, it's that sickly sweet smell in the air again.

I think it's about time we wrapped this up.

...Right.

Hm? Um? Texas, do you know something we don't know?

No. But I have a pretty solid idea.

Hey!! If you had a lead, you should've told us!

Sauin. It's long over.

...Wanna get dim sum?

So early? Let's go to the roof and watch the sunrise.

You mafia types are funny. Always with the sunrise on the roof...

Gah. This candy's smashed into my head so much I think I got brain damage. It's the signal to stop, and I stopped.

But boy, it's more like we just got beaten on. My whole body's so tender...

They... they all stopped. What's going on? This doesn't feel right.