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meli-r · 1 year

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Psycho Pass: Colorful World, Ch. 27

Chapter: Wattpad | AO3

Note: Tumblr is breaking the format, so I will only extract a part of the chapter that does not use italics.

(...)

The sound of the office door sliding open automatically broke the silence, followed by the distinct tapping of derby shoes. The inspector's face wore a solemn expression as she strode into Kasei's office. For a brief moment, their eyes met as if by instinct. Undeterred, she continued to walk forward, closing the distance between them. Finally, she halted in front of Kasei's white desk.

Her gaze was immediately drawn to the holographic backdrop that adorned the room. Against the walls, a mesmerizing landscape unfolded before her eyes. It depicted a distant castle perched upon a hill, shrouded in an ethereal mist. Towering evergreen trees enveloped the castle, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, creating an atmosphere of eerie enchantment.

The castle itself stood as a testament to Gothic grandeur. Its spires pierced the sky, casting elongated shadows upon the landscape below. The intricate stonework, adorned with delicate tracery and ornate carvings, evoked a sense of both mystery and artistry. The castle's figure, silhouetted against a foreboding gray sky, seemed to possess a brooding presence, as if harboring ancient secrets within its walls.

As she absorbed the scene, she could not help but open her eyes wider. The combination of the hauntingly beautiful landscape and the imposing castle triggered a sense of unease, as if she had stumbled upon a place where reality and fantasy converged. It was a visual reminder of the duality that resided within the psyche of the enigmatic woman who inhabited this office.

“You saved me time by scheduling this meeting and waiting for me during my absence. I see that the medical results were positive and that your psycho pass is stable. Your job causes you great emotional and psychological strain, as you are forced to immerse yourself in the minds of criminals in order to catch them. Not surprisingly, as a result, you suffer from migraines and headaches that you probably try to relieve with aspirin. Need I mention that lack of sleep and alcohol may also contribute to your headaches, Inspector Takahashi?”

“I never said I had them.”

“Your pocket is not empty,” Kasei narrowed her eyes, causing her to frown and adjust the long black coat over her dark brown shirt. “Have they worsened lately?”

“No.”

Kasei studied her with penetrating eyes. Then she turned her head to one of the two large screens on the side of her desk and typed on the keyboard, which turned on automatically by proximity detection. The sound of the keys echoed through the room. One of the screens lit up, slid to the center of the desk and swiveled so that the inspector could lower her head and see it as a hologram in front of her.

“You may have a healthy psycho pass, but I can see through it. I am intrigued by how it reduces in stressful situations… as a coping mechanism. You may thank this factor that you are still an inspector,” Kasei raised an eyebrow, noting her barely frowning. “Do you recognize this profile?"

The hologram displayed a list of different crime coefficients. The highest was 92. It reminded her of Agawa’s.

“You don’t know?”

Kasei looked from the hologram to her, then turned to one of the screens on her polished desk, typing on the keyboard like a psychologist or psychiatrist taking notes on her patient. Yashiro was unable to see the contents of her screen.

“You don’t remember,” Kasei smirked as her eyes slowly widened, crossing one leg over the other and clasping her hands together on her thigh.

“Remember what?” Yashiro asked, making her laugh with her mouth shut. “What’s so funny?”

“The very thing that you clearly don’t know,” she shook her head.

“Stop playing riddles.”

Kasei’s expression hardened. She looked her up and down, “This is a record of your crime coefficient.”

“I find that hard to swallow,” Yashiro turned her head slightly to the side, without taking her eyes off the hologram.

She struggled to comprehend what Kasei would gain by altering the records, or how she could have forgotten something so important and emotionally significant. Her mind raced as she tried to remember any details about the moment she reached such a high crime coefficient, or what might have caused her to forget.

As the reality of the situation sunk in, she became increasingly introspective, trying to make sense of her own mind and memories. Kasei typed with both hands until small, light blue windows appeared on the holographic screen, causing the inspector to blink a couple of times. The contents of one of them scrolled down very slowly. Yashiro leaned forward to read with an indifferent and unconcerned expression, but a frown formed on her face.

“You were hospitalized at the age of fifteen, but your psycho pass stabilized and you did not become a latent criminal. It’s all in your medical file and your crime coefficient history,” Kasei saw her blink and raise an eyebrow, staring at the screen.

Yashiro’s expression remained stoic, but her eyes betrayed a hint of confusion and disbelief. Her heart rate quickened slightly, but she remained still, almost as if trying to suppress any physical reaction. She forced herself to maintain her composure, but her body language subtly changed as she leaned back. Her eyes darted away momentarily, perhaps to process the information or to hide her vulnerability. It was clear that the news had thrown her off balance, and she was grappling with conflicting emotions, but she was determined not to let it show.

“What happened in there, before meeting with Inspector Tsunemori?”

Her eyes narrowed before returning to Kasei, but then her gaze dropped, settling back on the information. Kasei typed on the keyboard with one hand, and the hologram slid onto the monitor with a brief transition, forcing the inspector to look at her.

“I got confused,” Yashiro walked to the side quietly, putting her hands in the pockets of her black pants.

“I have seen you confused and angry, but never afraid like that,” Kasei followed her with a serious look.

“Fear helps me see things… from a different angle. I just can’t… express them so concisely,” Yashiro frowned for a moment and stopped in front of the corner of the desk.

“What did you experience that made you mute all of a sudden?”

“I got disoriented,” she turned to her. “Just for a second. I’m used to fear. I'll handle this one.”

"You think you are in control, but at the same time you find yourself wandering around a crime scene after a hostage has been taken. This has never happened before."

"I was waiting for the ambulance," Yashiro replied in a calm voice, gently waving her hand. Her face darkened after a few seconds. "If my body walks around losing track of time, you’d say that’s a complete loss of control?”

“Wouldn’t you?” Kasei raised her eyebrows, clasping her hands together in front of her with her elbows on the armrests. “I would advise against taking too much interest in a victim's welfare. Tell me, why are you so angry?”

The chief frowned for a second. She detected a subtle shift in her composure, a rare tranquility that veiled her usual intensity.

“I know there's nothing I can do. Nothing and no one can give them back what they just lost."

“Family,” Kasei turned her head to the side, looking at a column in the room. “Ever felt abandoned?”

"Abandonment can only exist if there is a prior unmet expectation that someone will act in a certain way,” she scoffed, shaking her head.

“What were your expectations of your family?”

Yashiro raised an eyebrow for a moment, “That’s an empty boring room.”

“I suspect that room is behind walls too high to climb,” Kasei turned to her again in a calm voice. “Difficult to reach.”

“So are my parents,” Yashiro shrugged her shoulders.

“An interesting place to start.”

“Why? You already looked that anyway."

“I want to hear it from you.”

Yashiro took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes, gazing at the hologram behind the desk, “I don't have many memories of my mother, she was always sick. I followed my father from the northern to the southern coasts and to rural areas like Ogishima for years. We hardly ever came to Tokyo.”

“Always the new girl in the neighborhood, the stranger at school.”

Kasei's voice, devoid of any overt emotion, maintained its characteristic neutrality. It carried an air of understanding, a subdued tone that neither mocked nor belittled. Yashiro laughed softly with her mouth closed, observing the castle at the end of the hall.

“The perpetual outsider navigating unfamiliar surroundings. You never did fully connect with the concept of family nor friendship. Bonds are difficult for you."

Yashiro’s smile faded. Kasei remained composed, her stoic demeanor unwavering. Yet, behind her impassive facade, there was a subtle shift in her gaze as she locked eyes with the inspector.

“Schopenhauer’s hedgehog dilemma,” Kasei nodded and turned to one of the screens. “I am going to schedule a session with your psychologist for tomorrow morning, and I hope you won't miss it this time.”

Fingers danced on a keyboard. Kasei was already looking at her schedule to set up the meeting.

“Is that really necessary?” sighed Yashiro.

“There are clearly things you don’t remember about your life. A person may develop post-traumatic stress disorder and exhibit dissociative amnesia, which means that he forgets or blocks memories of a traumatic experience. In some cases, the person may experience flashbacks and relive the event, while in others they may have difficulty remembering specific details. This is because the brain sometimes tries to protect the person from the emotional pain associated with the trauma and may repress or block certain memories."

"So I can't handle it," Yashiro raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes for a moment.

“There are other defense mechanisms, including denial of reality, projection of feelings of anger or sadness onto others, and emotional isolation. Many theories explain dissociation and dissociative amnesia, among them the most important current was that of Pierre Janet and Freud with his theory of psychoanalysis. In spite of all the conflicts that have been generated in the scientific community about the understanding of dissociation, today a theory has been developed that is the most accepted and it’s called the theory of structural dissociation. I bet you have read it.”

Yashiro's wristcom beeped. She raised her arm and a hologram appeared above her wrist. It was a notification about the meeting Kasei had just set. She turned it off, lowered her arm and lifted her head. Lost in the captivating sight, words escaped her mouth, "Is that gothic architecture?”

Slowly, Kasei turned to her and looked into her eyes with a serious expression, until she responded, “Neuschwanstein Castle.”

Yashiro raised her eyebrows for a moment at her fluent German, not taking her eyes off the huge holographic background.

“The effects of trauma can emerge or persist over time, even after many years have passed. Are you experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, or frequent awakenings at night?”

"No."

Kasei's eyes lingered on the inspector, searching for any subtle cues. Her expression remained unreadable, her features shrouded in a veil of mystery. Despite the inspector's straightforward denial, Kasei was unable to discern whether she was concealing the truth or if her words held genuine sincerity.

“Do you have trouble with aggressive feelings?”

Yashiro smiled and raised an eyebrow, one hand in her pants pocket and the other next to her body, “Is this a psychological evaluation? I'm upset. Not violent and dangerously unstable."

Kasei typed on the keyboard with both hands and the screen slid back in hologram form to the center of the desk. A security camera video of her shooting a man in the leg without even blinking played. Typing again, Kasei opened a window showing a video of the woman who had been taken hostage.

A gunshot echoed through the office, and Yashiro raised an eyebrow for a second as she saw herself on the screen, gun deftly held in both hands, pointed in the direction of the woman on the floor. The video had been recorded by a person near them. There were all kinds of comments about it on the screen. The case was beginning to be reported in different media.

" The next bullet will be fired at you ,” Kasei looked at her, raising her eyebrows and clasping her hands together in front of her. “It was not the way, the time or the place to let those words come out of your mouth.”

“Because I was using an unregulated weapon instead of a dominator and the press would be all over it? I did not have time to think about Sibyl's reputation.”

“I would rather not have to see your face all over the news.”

“But you would accept seeing a dead inspector or enforcer?”

“You are skating on thin ice here,” Kasei frowned and raised her voice slightly. “After your little interrogation , you should thank Inspector Tsunemori for not filing a complaint.”

"She didn't?" Yashiro lowered her voice and looked down.

“I would not be so kind to you otherwise. Once you finish the session, I want you to continue working on this case. You may assist Division 2 on others, but this is going to be your priority. I hope that the information you have obtained will help you to inform me about progress and not excuses."

"We are currently working to identify one of the accomplices who possibly helped Agawa escape."

Kasei nodded and looked away, "What a disappointment… two divisions and he still managed to escape.”

“Perhaps the chances would have increased had we known the truth.”

"The truth?" Kasei blinked and looked at her again.

“You went too far,” Yashiro’s voice carried a calm and cold tone as she spoke.

There was a sense of detachment in her voice, as if she were merely reminding the chief of a fact rather than reprimanding her.

“I don't know what you mean,” Kasei responded slowly, swiveling in her chair and looking away with one leg over the other.

“Agawa Hajime. You knew about his psycho pass,” Yashiro gently waved her hand. “It was under 100—not over 250.”

“That is certainly not possible. Either your dominator was malfunctioning, or your mind is starting to separate from reality.”

“Are you trying to gaslight me?” Yashiro frowned for a moment.

Kasei gave her a sidelong glance, “That is not an officially recognized clinical term in psychology, but a colloquial term. However, the concepts behind gaslighting are studied because of emotional manipulation, such as making someone question their own sanity, memories, or perception of reality. You do not strike me as a girl who can be gaslighted so easily. Tell me, why did you not tell your division that your dominator was not able to deem him a latent criminal?”

“I thought you would want to evaluate the contents of my report first. You said I should always consult before making a decision,” Yashiro put her hand in her free pants pocket.

“I like good liars,” Kasei nodded, causing the inspector to smirk and turn her head to the side for a second. “I do not know if you are lying to me, for me, or both, but we will see. Normally, this information would not be available to someone of your rank, but you deserve to be rewarded for your discovery.”

Kasei moved her hand closer to the keyboard, typing on it, so that one of the two monitors on the side of the desk loaded information, and lit up for a second until the screen scrolled horizontally in front of her, with a brief rotation. Yashiro's eyes widened as an image of Agawa Hajime entering the mall docked on the screen, and updated in half a second with a different crime coefficient than what had been originally reported.

88.

“You hijacked the surveillance footage," Yashiro’s voice echoed. “It could have been a valuable resource.”

“For you, perhaps," Kasei frowned for a moment. “Despite having a great deal of evidence on his crimes, the dominators do not react to Agawa Hajime because his crime coefficient does not exceed the regulation limit. Under normal circumstances it’s on the edge that separates a citizen from a latent criminal, and only extreme violence can raise it, albeit to unusually low levels for someone with his criminal psychology. It’s a rare phenomenon, yet a possible one. Cases involving borderline criminality are unusual in people of his age.”

“Borderline...” Yashiro whispered, fixing her eyes on the desk.

“That is merely an unofficial way of addressing it, as there is no recognized clinical term,” Kasei pointed out.

“Is it related to borderline personality disorder?”

“Some patients who were identified with this abnormal pattern in their crime coefficients suffered from this disorder, hence the name. However, they are not the rule. The name describes more the ability to be both a latent criminal and a normal citizen at different time intervals. Other people prone to developing it are those with bipolar disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, schizophrenia or a dangerous combination of these.”

“Are you saying that… there are cases where the result of a person’s cymatic scan does not match their criminal psychology?” Yashiro raised her eyebrows, looking at her.

“Isn't that what you've been researching, like when you interviewed Miyake?”

“This is different,” Yashiro responded slowly. “We are talking about people who can evade the law by fooling scanners even if they killed a man a week ago. Unlike Miyake, these people are unlikely to be caught. How many men like Agawa are there?”

“The number is unknown and irrelevant, for I assure you that the system treats everyone equally. In any case, his crime coefficient is still high enough for you to push him to the limit."

"And you trust me to do that?”

"I think you are fully capable of the task,” Kasei gently shook her head in a casual remark.

“Well, I failed,” Yashiro sighed, taking a few steps to the side. “It’s possible that he is aware of when he is vulnerable to a dominator, and when he is not.”

Kasei leaned forward, her gray eyes fixed on the inspector, "In order to influence a crime coefficient, you must delve into the realm of psychological manipulation. Have you considered employing techniques from cognitive psychology, such as disrupting their comfort zone and challenging their cognitive biases? By altering their environment, introducing unexpected stimuli, or triggering cognitive dissonance, you can attempt to provoke a shift in their mindset and behavior."

She paused for a moment, her fingertips tapping against the armrest. "The mind can be both fragile and resilient. Find the cracks in their psychological armor, exploit their vulnerabilities, and guide their cognitive processes towards a new perspective. Break the patterns they have established, forcing them to confront the contradictions within their beliefs and actions. Through strategic psychological interventions, you may be able to disrupt their careful calculations and render them susceptible to justice."

Yashiro's eyes widened slightly and her brows furrowed. A wry smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Remind me not to be your patient," her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, and her words tinged with incredulity.

Kasei's lips curved into a subtle smile, and her gaze met Yashiro's eyes. The silence in the room seemed to amplify the weight of the inspector's comment. Kasei's smile widened slightly, a faint glimmer of amusement shining in her eyes.

“If he were a paranoid schizophrenic, you could influence him to get him to hurt himself, if he hasn't already,” Kasei suggested, raising her gaze a bit.

“He doesn’t fit that profile,” Yashiro closed her eyes and shook her head gently. “Someone who is self-destructive, wouldn’t be as careful and methodical as him.”

“Unless he is careful about self-destruction. Are you self-destructive?”

Yashiro frowned and looked down for a moment, “Hiding his psycho pass could have been lethal. You make us believe that people like him are not dangerous. Two people from a division could have died today."

"They were lucky you made it in time," Kasei tilted her head a bit.

"Did you request Miyake’s transfer because of his psycho pass?"

“Motive is of no use to you in finding Agawa, especially now that he is dead. But his escape gave us a chance to get closer to him.”

“You knew,” Yashiro’s voice was almost a whisper, as she raised an eyebrow for a second.

“ It's double pleasure to deceive the deceiver, ” Kasei gently waved her right hand, elbow resting on the armrest, opening her palm.

Yashiro was not sure whether she was talking about Agawa or her.

“You wanted me to go after Miyake.”

“I was curious what you would do,” Kasei closed her eyes and stood up.

“Am I that predictable?” Yashiro sighed with a faint smile.

“Not in the slightest,” the chief walked past the desk. “As you know, the Sibyl System evaluates individuals' crime coefficients to determine their propensity for committing crimes. People with high crime coefficients are considered potential threats and are closely monitored or even apprehended. Therefore, the system aims to create a predictable and safe society by keeping individuals' emotions, thoughts and behavior under control. Psychology and behavioral sciences aim to understand and explain patterns and tendencies, but there are always exceptions and individual variations that can't be fully anticipated.

“Human behavior is multifaceted, and individuals have the capacity to make choices and act in unpredictable ways, challenging the notion of predictability. Agawa represents an exception, as his actions are driven by personal agency. While the majority of the population may exhibit predictable behavior due to the influence of the system, some are able to deviate from expected norms and disrupt the societal order. Their actions demonstrate that complete predictability of human behavior is not absolute, and that individuals can still make choices and act independently, even in a system designed to control and regulate them.”

“Black swans."

Kasei blinked and looked at her, silent for a couple of seconds until she responded, “Yes, that is correct. I am impressed.”

In psychology, black swans refer to highly improbable events or outliers that have significant impacts and are often unforeseen. The Sibyl System attempts to create a controlled and predictable society by monitoring and regulating individuals' psychological states. However, individuals like Agawa, who possess low crime coefficients despite engaging in criminal activities, can be seen as black swans within this system. They defy the expectations and predictions of the Sibyl System, as their true nature and intentions remain hidden and undetected.

The emergence of individuals like Agawa challenges the idea that the Sibyl System can completely predict and control human behavior. It highlights the limitations of relying solely on external measurements and indicators, such as crime coefficients, to understand the complexities of human psychology. Black swans represent the unpredictable and unexpected aspects of human nature that can disrupt the equilibrium of society and expose flaws in the system's attempts at control.

In essence, the presence of individuals like Agawa serves as a reminder that despite sophisticated systems of surveillance and control, human behavior and motivations can still defy expectations and give rise to unforeseen events and outcomes. It underscores the need to acknowledge the inherent complexity and unpredictability of human nature in psychological and sociological analyses.

Yashiro thought that the theory of reasoned action could be related in the context of understanding and predicting human behavior. People’s actions and decisions are influenced by their attitudes and subjective norms, which are shaped by the system.

In TRA, attitudes play a significant role in determining behavioral intentions. Similarly, individuals' attitudes towards the system and its principles can influence their behavioral intentions. People who strongly believe in the effectiveness and necessity of the Sibyl System may be more inclined to conform to its rules and regulations.

Subjective norms, which encompass social pressures and expectations, are also relevant in both TRA and current society. The subjective norms are heavily influenced by the Sibyl System. People may feel pressured to comply with the system's standards, and conform to societal expectations to maintain a favorable crime coefficient.

By applying that theory, one could analyze how attitudes and subjective norms shape people’s behavioral intentions and subsequent actions. It provides a framework to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying their decision-making processes and the role of social influences in their behavior within the context of the society governed by the Sibyl System. Yashiro frowned for a second and looked up, averting her thoughts. Kasei was watching her with a serious and serene face, as if aware of what she was thinking.

“Your interest in them justifies risking the life of an inspector and enforcer?” Yashiro asked in a soft voice.

“It justifies everything .”

Despite Yashiro's usual composed nature, her expression froze momentarily, and a flicker of disbelief passed through her eyes. It was as if time had stood still for a brief moment, registering the weight of Kasei's words and the implications they carried.

Her body tensed imperceptibly, her heartbeat momentarily quickened, and her breath caught slightly. However, Yashiro regained her composure, concealing her inner turmoil beneath a stoic facade. Her eyes, which had widened for a moment, narrowed back to their usual sharpness, reflecting a mix of determination and underlying skepticism.

Though she remained silent, her controlled reaction hinted at a profound conflict within her. The realization that Kasei, who represented the system she served, indirectly condoned heinous acts if they served Sibyl's interests, created a palpable tension in Yashiro's demeanor. She was not surprised by her words, but by the confidence with which she uttered them in front of her, revealing her true nature.

In that brief moment, a crack formed in the facade of Yashiro's unwavering stoicism, exposing a flicker of vulnerability that only a discerning observer would catch. It was a subtle yet profound reaction, showcasing the internal struggle between her dedication to her duty, and the growing realization that the system was an absolute entwined within the world she inhabited.

“How many have died because of Sibyl’s actions?”

“Such is the price of freedom,” Kasei responded with ease, standing in front of the desk.

Freedom for whom and at whose expense, Yashiro thought automatically. She smiled, lifting her head slightly, and then her expression darkened again. The weight of those words echoed in her mind. A surge of conflicting emotions washed over her, intermingling with her unwavering resolve. The notion that Sibyl's pursuit of security and order came at the cost of individual liberties struck a dissonant chord within her. It was a stark reminder that the boundaries of justice and morality had blurred within society.

Yashiro's icy facade faltered momentarily as her piercing gaze locked with Kasei's. Behind her impassive expression, a flicker of rebellion smoldered, questioning the inherent flaws of a system that deemed itself infallible. She contemplated the consequences of a world where sacrifices were made for the illusion of security. The irony was not lost on her—a system that claimed to protect its citizens by imposing its own brand of justice, yet concealed a dark underbelly of arbitrary judgments.

“You see, people don't like to think,” Kasei approached her slowly.

“I think it’s a basic rule,” Yashiro stepped aside, turned around and walked beside her to the black couches, sitting on the one opposite her with one leg over the other, and her hands clasped together on her thigh.

“Then you must know that the bigger their problems are, the less. However, since they still have a little dignity left, they always know they have to do it, and that gives them a sense of guilt. For that reason, they will follow and vote for whoever offers them a justification and the means not to do so, and makes a virtue out of what they know to be their defect. While in the beginning the Sibyl System did not cover all aspects of human life, public acceptance was not so much due to the reduction of the crime rate in the country, but to the conveniences it offered for people's private lives.”

“Just because the majority approves of it or it serves a seemingly noble cause doesn’t mean it’s good.”

“ Good is a matter of perspective, my dear,” Kasei waved her hand in a soft voice, crossing one leg over the other. "You don’t understand the concept of value. You can’t divorce value from the valuer. If something is good or bad you must answer two questions: good for whom and for what? Value does not exist in reality. Only individuals ascribe value to things.”

“Why are you telling me all of this?” Yashiro sighed, looking away.

“Because you can handle it. The way the others can't. They need Sibyl. You don’t. You never did. You’re beyond that. Do you know what that makes you? Either a singular friend or a Trojan horse.”

“Were there other inspectors or employees who found out about Agawa’s ability?”

“Some. We have already taken care of them.”

Yashiro met people within the bureau who doubted certain standard procedures, or even the system itself. Not only enforcers. Analysts, engineers and cybersecurity employees were mostly among them.

“The truth is, there are rumors that more and more people have been questioning the order of this society. Even CID personnel,” Kasei contemplated a column in the room behind the inspector and then looked at her. “Funny... isn’t it? You do something to the people around you. Which makes me think you are more than a profiler and inspector. They see you as a spiritual mentor.”

Yashiro’s lip twitched slightly for a second, “They shouldn't. That's not me.”

“And yet people are influenced by your words and actions. They look up to you to the point of mirroring your attitude. You know exactly what to say to point out their greatest virtues and flaws. It may not be intentional, but you draw people in. Much like Agawa Hajime.”

As Yashiro's body tensed, she pressed her lips together in a tight line, her eyes narrowing slightly. Without meeting Kasei's gaze, she subtly shifted her focus, as if trying to control her rising emotions. Kasei looked at her, a faint smile playing on her lips, relishing the effect her words had on Yashiro.

“You are not unlike this killer. Same hobbies, same worldview. I wouldn’t be surprised if you also possess similar talents and character traits. For years, no one had been able to predict his next moves so accurately. You have a unique ability to empathize with the psychology of killers, but sometimes you also share their beliefs and feelings, allowing you to understand their thought process and motives."

“Do you see me as the same as him? Is that why you’ve been helping me analyze him?”

“I am not helping you analyze Agawa,” Kasei looked her up and down for a moment. “I am analyzing your perception of him. It may help you better know yourself. Sometimes, people project onto others what they see as their flaws. Have you considered that the unwanted or unacceptable thoughts, feelings or traits you see in him might actually be reflections of your own?"

“Oh,” Yashiro leaned forward for a second and laughed softly, until she frowned and lowered her gaze. “Now that's interesting. Do I have a… psychopathic need to murder people? Am I that crazy?"

“Antisocial personality disorder is not considered a mental illness in the traditional sense of psychosis or dementia. While people with ASPD may exhibit behaviors considered immoral or socially unacceptable, they are not crazy in the sense of having a loss of contact with reality or significant cognitive impairment. They are generally aware of their actions and have the capacity to make rational decisions. Agawa is not crazy. And neither are you. Which is why I am entrusting you with his search and capture.”

“What do you want… with Agawa?”

“For now, concentrate on finding him. Do whatever is necessary to bring him in alive,” a subtle yet distinct smirk played upon Kasei’s lips. Her eyes bore an intense gaze, unwavering and piercing. A glimmer of satisfaction flickered, like a glint of hidden triumph, adding an enigmatic allure to her otherwise stern countenance. “Problem?”

“The Public Safety Bureau, and the Criminal Investigation Department in particular, are ill-equipped to apprehend such individuals. Our weapons and equipment rely heavily on synchronization with the system, rendering us ineffective against those who cannot be judged by it.”

“I acknowledge the limitations of our current resources and our inherent disadvantages. However, we must work with what we have and adapt accordingly. That’s what inspectors do … isn’t that right?”

“Don’t twist my words,” Yashiro turned her head to the side, giving her a sidelong glance. “The current structure limits our effectiveness in dealing with individuals like this. CID lacks comprehensive training and real-world experience compared to them. We are operating under unique constraints. And they know it. We should address our limitations, not sweep them under the rug.”

“And yet you recognize the importance of keeping them secret. That's the real reason you didn't tell Inspector Tsunemori and everyone else in the first place. Isn't it? We can’t risk compromising the integrity of Sibyl. Our priority remains protecting the system and maintaining societal order. If it were revealed that certain individuals cannot be judged by the system, it would likely create chaos, and cause people to lose faith in the system's ability to maintain order and justice. The revelation of such a flaw would challenge the fundamental principles and beliefs on which society is built.”

However, the extent of the impact on people's willingness to be guided by the system would depend on various factors, such as the availability of alternative solutions or ideologies, the level of dissatisfaction with the current system, and the resilience of the conformist tendencies within the society. While some individuals might question and resist the system, others might still choose to follow it due to a lack of alternatives or fear of the unknown. The consequences and reactions would likely be complex and vary among different individuals and groups within society.

“Which is why it must remain undisclosed until we find a better way to make it public to the country. We will decide when and if it’s possible to do so. Right now, it’s a risk we are not willing to take. No one but you should know about it at this time. In your previous work experience you must have understood the importance of protecting confidential and personal information, including customer information, to mitigate data breaches and illegal access to sensitive corporate information. You also know the legal consequences of such negligence.”

“I will not prioritize his capture over our team’s safety,” Yashiro looked straight at her.

“Maybe not, but I can find someone who will. Starting with Inspector Aoyanagi. I wonder how long her crime coefficient will hold up, after the incident," Kasei smirked, raising her hand. "Are you thinking about Inspector Tsunemori, perhaps? We will take care of her if necessary.”

“I won’t let you.”

“You won’t let me?”

“No.”

"Are you threatening me?" Kasei squinted her eyes, lowering her arm.

“I certainly hope so.”

Kasei's gaze lingered on the inspector, her expression betraying a mix of innocent curiosity and surprise. As head of the PSB, she held immense power, capable of making the inspector disappear if she so desired. However, the inspector's calm demeanor and unwavering tranquility in the face of this potential threat left Kasei intrigued and slightly taken aback.

“You are a natural leader. You are smart, discerning… passionate, fearless… forthright. But you should also weigh your own limitations,” Kasei’s voice went from gentle to strict as her eyes narrowed. Yashiro looked down and then to the side. “You are not reporting to Inspector Aoyanagi anymore. Given your newfound knowledge and understanding of the system, it appears that your role as an inspector will gradually shift to a closer alignment with Sibyl. While still maintaining your position as an inspector, you will eventually report directly to me with a different scope of operation.”

“So you can keep a better eye on me.”

“We always keep an eye on you. I just want to have you close enough in case you get the wrong idea to inform others of your discovery, and keep the proper distance from them.”

“But there is another reason,” guessed Yashiro.

"I have observed the impact of your behavior on the crime coefficients of your colleagues. While unintended, it’s a matter of concern, as it puts them at risk of becoming latent criminals. Normally, we would order a thorough evaluation to better understand the reasons behind your influence and determine whether it poses a real risk to the division. Depending on the severity of the situation, we would implement disciplinary measures, such as your reassignment to a less influential position, the intervention of a specialized therapist or even temporary suspension from your job as an inspector. The priority would be to prevent the behavior from spreading and becoming a threat to the system and the stability of the PSB.”

Yashiro lowered her gaze and furrowed her eyebrows. A subtle tension seemed to weigh on her shoulders, only for a moment.

“You have two alternatives. Either you tell them or you don't. I would prefer the latter.”

“Why?”

“You interest me," Kasei admitted slowly.

“Someday, they will start to see that pattern,” Yashiro remarked in a measured tone, looking into her eyes and then at her hands properly clasped together on her thigh.

“What pattern?” Kasei’s voice echoed.

“You interact closely with people who are prone to violence,” she replied. Kasei raised her face slightly, darkening it with her gaze fixed on the small gray table between them for several seconds, until she lifted it towards her, without looking into her eyes. “Under scrutiny, inspectors’ trust and perceptions of you may start to shake.”

She was fascinated by the human mind and studied people’s crime coefficients by understanding their vulnerabilities. Her knowledge of psychology and psychiatry enabled her not only to understand the inner workings of inspectors, but also to use that knowledge to manipulate them. It provided her with a unique position of power and control over others, allowing her to delve into their minds and exploit their weaknesses to suit her own interests. Yashiro frowned for a second, wondering if they were aligned with the Sibyl System. Kasei finally looked at her with a serious, unreadable expression.

“Tell me, Inspector Takahashi. Are your beliefs about me beginning to shake?”

(...)

#psycho pass #fanfiction #fanfic #kasei joushuu #kasei joshu

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