“This is a new trap. The N.H.K. has hired a cute girl. Low-level operative. Tactical pity. Very effective.”
A long pause. Then, the sound of the chain lock sliding. Satō opens the door a crack. His face is pale, stubbled, and looks like a landscape after a neutron bomb. Welcome to the N.H.K. -Dub-
He lets her in. The door closes. The CRT TV flickers one last time, then goes black. “This is a new trap
Satō looks at the onigiri. He looks at the contract. He looks at Misaki’s trembling, hopeful face. Low-level operative
“This. This is their psychological warfare. Bad dubbing. They know I can’t turn it off. It’s like a car crash. A car crash where everyone sounds like they learned English from a cereal box.”
“Satō-kun. I saw your light. The landlady said you haven’t taken out your trash in two weeks. She used a… colorful metaphor. I won’t repeat it.”
“That’s the scent of freedom, Misaki. Get used to it.”