And indeed, he finds himself looking away from the screen, watching Ren's profile instead, through the sobs and screams on the tape; watching the tension and the recognition on his face. He knows Futaba has a darkness in her; it would have been hard to go through the Palace with her and not see it. It would be hard for her to be what she is, to work for Shido, and not come out changed.

But how changed? Is this, at any level, what his own Futaba would like to do to Ren? Well, of course it is—and yet....

He reaches for Ren's hand, catching his breath as silently as he can. "Wow."