"I wasn't worried," says Akira. "You're my expert guide, remember? I trust you not to take me anywhere I shouldn't be."

He begins to strip as he talks, stashing his clothes and weapons into one of the lockers. Without a trace of self-consciousness, he tugs his shirt over his head, revealing a horrifying thicket of pink, raised scars--some old, some newly healed--etched across most of his bare back.

"I've never been to Inaba before. Once I'm presentable, perhaps you could show me around?"