Speaker
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Dialogue
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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... I see. So you have already conducted an interview with the members of Section 5.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Yeah... Their Director was... well, she certainly was a character.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Cinq South Section 5 Director... Don Quixote, was it? I have heard many tales about her, yes.
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As the child slowly strolled through an alleyway, a woman with a small notepad followed closely behind her.
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 ??? Interviewer
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She also brought me on a 30-minute-long stroll through the alleyways, actually. Like we're doing now.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Oh, my apologies. Perhaps this interview would have been better conducted at a proper reception room...
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 ??? Interviewer
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No, no... I got pretty much everything I wanted to know about the Cinq Association from you.
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The interview smiled, flipping through her notepad.
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Unlike in her previous interview, her notepad was filled to the brim with information.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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I thank you for your understanding.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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I am certain that you have already been informed... but this is a part of our work process. Please do understand.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Yes, of course.
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In the corner margins of her notepad, the interviewer scribbled the following: 'Interviewee is somewhat unfriendly'.
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Of course, the child didn't see that.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Well... If I were to speak my mind, I don't believe that either directors of Sections 4 and 5 are individuals fit for their respective positions.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Gasp...
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Wouldn't you agree...? Such flippant behavior ill befits the position of a leader.
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The child sighed, then looked at the interviewer. It was as though she was expecting an answer.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Ha ha ha... I... wouldn't know a thing about that.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Hm, is that so.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Well, whichever it may be... I have no complaints about their martial prowess.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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When the Director of our Section 4 wields his blade, for example... It inspires a certain chilling awe in people.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Ohh... Yeah, I've heard the stories. He moves as though in a trance, guided by the blade itself right into the opponent's weakness...
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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That is no exaggeration, indeed. The 'stories' are true.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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His technique is... well, it's not an easily replicated technique. If it could even be replicated, that is.
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The Interviewer nodded along, jotting things down on her notepad as the child lectured.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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However... I, Outis, can confidently say that my very own skills do not fall behind the Director's.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Once this is over, I plan to return to the training hall for a spar. Unless you have prior engagements...
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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... would you like to watch me duel?
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 ??? Interviewer
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Oh! Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world.
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The child laughed gently and fixed her hat. She liked that answer.
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 Cinq Section 4 Outis
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Very well. Then let us hurry.
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The child began walking a little faster as though the thought raised her spirits.
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 ??? Interviewer
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(... She seems very proud of her own skills. ... Maybe too proud.)
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Of course, the child didn't see the interview write that down either.
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Not that the child needed to see it, that is. And the interviewer would soon see why.
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 ??? Interviewer
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Right... she said the most important thing in a duel is to properly manage the distance between oneself and the opponent...
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The interviewer whispered to herself, observing the child...
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When the opponent finally had the chance to press the offensive, the child was already out of their reach.
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And when the opponent's defense cracked, even for a split second, the child quickly bridged the gap to exploit the opening. Then, she rapidly retreated to the exact position as before.
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The child's distancing was precise, exact. It was almost as though she was measuring her every step with a ruler.
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 ??? Interviewer
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She's doing all that... with a hat on, too...
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The interviewer gulped, and looked down at her notepad.
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And...
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... she quickly crossed out her earlier comment about the child's pride.
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She had to, of course.
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It was no mere boast. She was certainly skilled enough to back up her own claims.
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