“M-Mori-san… you said that we had met before. Why would you think that?” Feeling curious about whether Mori might have actually known you before this, you attempt to delve into the topic with as much grace as you can muster.
“Hm? Oh, yes, I did say that, didn’t I?” He replies without turning to look at you, still hunched over the keyboard. “In my line of work I meet many people. Perhaps you just reminded me of someone I once saw. I pride myself on having a good eye for faces so I rarely mistake one person for another, but I would not claim to be infallible. I’m sorry for my mix-up, but that is all there is to it. In such a strange environment, it is understandable, no?”
“I see…” you mumble, spouting off a half-baked conjecture without thinking. “I-In an extreme situation… people want to cling to anything they find familiar?”
Mori chuckles grimly and agrees with you. “That’s right. People get lonely, I guess. If everything is strange. But you don’t seem to be the sort of sociable person who would have that problem. If you are lonely when you are alone, then you are in bad company, eh?”
***
A. Something about his words seems familiar to you… did he just quote Sartre?
B. You do not notice anything at all.
***
Straightening himself, he looks over his shoulder, turning slightly so that his eyes meet yours. “So… Why do you ask?”
“I… uh…”
“It’s a pretty strange question, don’t you think?” he continues. “You did say that you have no recollection of ever meeting me. Shinoseki, you should know best what you remember… or don’t remember. If you have never met me before, that should be the end of it. Besides, I asked you if we had met before. I did not say that we had met before.”
Gulping, you realize that he is right. You had made a mistake in your choice of words.
“S-sorry,” you bow. “I used the wrong words… that was not what I meant at all!”
“Relax. Everyone does it at times. Saying the wrong things, I mean.” Mori bares his teeth, but you are not sure whether his grin is affable or predatory. He is adjusting his coat – a smile crinkling his narrowed eyes – as he moves away from the computer. “So, why did you bring this up?”
“I…” Your blunder has disrupted your thoughts, and you find yourself tongue-tied. You are not really sure how to answer Mori at this moment. Why did you ask that question? If you are to tell him the truth, you would have to confess that you lied.
“Normally anyone would chalk it up to an error on my part and move on if they have never seen me before in their life. Ah, do you happen to suspect me of anything? Is that why you asked?”
“N-no, I…” You back away and almost trip over a swivel chair in your haste. Holding your hands up, you shake your head desperately, beads of sweat building on your brow. Do you suspect him of anything? You are not sure, but you are certain that you did not come in intending to make him an enemy. Mori looks like he could crush you easily with his bare hands.
“Calm down, Shinoseki,” he says firmly. “I was just saying it in jest… you are as twitchy as a rabbit! Sometimes I wonder if you are only faking your herbivorous nature. I’m just curious that you asked me this question all of a sudden. Is it important that I know you, Shinoseki Adachi-san?” Mori places a slight emphasis on your name, enunciating each syllable clearly. Suddenly, you are nervously aware that during the conversation, he has subtly moved closer, reducing the distance enough to reach out and touch you should he want to.
***
01:54
A. “To… to tell you the truth, I don’t remember anything about myself. That is why I was asking you in a roundabout way. I was hoping to find out more from you, Mori-san. You say you find me familiar… I hope that you can tell me the exact reason as to why.” You can’t take the pressure anymore. You confess - truthfully and politely - to Mori that you lied about your name and memories, and hope he can shed any light on who you used to be.
B. “N… No. You were curious… but so was I. I’m… I’m not used to having strange men come up and ask me if they have met me before, you see… so I was afraid you were stalking me before we came to the hospital or something, ha… haha. In such a strange environment… it… it is understandable, r-right?” You gather your thoughts and try to calm down before making up an excuse for your behaviour, turning Mori’s own words against him.
C. You break down and make a dash for the door. Anything but this interrogation.