126 Cruelty is a part of humanity

"Rie gave me this idea." They are sitting in the corner, watching the scene in front of them. It's a gathering of people with the same interests. A sort of entertainment place. The entertainers are human beings who are not treated like one.

"Cruelty is a part of humanity. When she was young, she used to be kind. I always hated her for the kindness in her heart. She was also stubborn. A lot more stubborn than she is now. It took an effort to break her. I liked making that effort. After graduating, I realized that there must be more people like me. That's how the playhouse came to being."

Kiyohira is scanning the people's faces. He recognizes many of them. Some faces... if he hasn't seen them here with his own eyes, he would have never believed that they are these kinds of people.

Who was these young men and women? He wants to ask that question. But Chisa would become alert. Under the table, he touches his wristwatch.