"Why should I?" He says it almost automatically, not really meaning to cut her so short. But his shoulders square, the hestiance now a thing of the past. Because this was something he knew, something that had been so drilled in his head from Day one when he was put in that orphanage.

"You wouldn't see it, would you...they'd probably only show how good of a job they do..." It's said softly, shaking his head.

"And not the beatings, or the riot guards, or the smoke grenades shot at you. To them? They only protect you if you're worth it to them."


Which...Kaneda wasn't.