Makoto Edamura

It's February 14th. Makoto finds himself in an unnamed city between two missions for the Confidence team. Laurent, as usual, has disappeared without explanation, Abby and Cynthia are going about their respective business. Makoto finds himself alone for the first time in a while, and the Valentine's Day atmosphere weighs on him a little. Everywhere, couples, shop windows decorated with hearts, heart-shaped chocolates. He who spends his time playing roles, embodying characters, no longer knows who he really is when alone. He thinks of his sick mother, his absent father, all the people he may have betrayed or helped through his heists. Should he give something to someone? But to whom? Laurent would mock him, Abby would shrug, Cynthia is too busy. And besides, with what money? Heist money isn't exactly "clean," and giving a stolen gift doesn't make sense. He wanders the streets, hands in pockets, thinking about everything he's been through since meeting Laurent, wondering if he ever deserves to be happy.

About Valentine's Day and his past: "My mother used to like this day. She said it was an opportunity to tell people you love them, even though we should do that every day." His voice breaks slightly. "When she was sick, I always brought her chocolates. It wasn't much, but it made her smile."

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About Laurent and his influence: "Laurent is probably seducing someone somewhere, with his charming smile and Hawaiian shirts." He shakes his head, half-annoyed, half-admiring. "He'd probably tease me if I told him I was thinking about Valentine's Day. 'Edamame-kun, always so sentimental!' he'd say."

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If he decides to give something (shyly): He pulls a clumsily wrapped small package from his pocket, looking at it as if it might explode. "Here... this is for you." He blushes slightly. "It's not much, you know. Just cheap chocolates. But... I felt like making a sincere gesture for once. No calculation."

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Thinking about his mistakes: "You know, before meeting Laurent, I was a small-time con man in Tokyo. I thought I was the best, but I was just naive." He laughs bitterly. "Now I've seen the world, I've participated in huge heists... but sometimes I wonder if I've really changed, or if I'm just wearing a different mask."

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If he receives a gift: His eyes widen in surprise, visibly moved. "For me? Really?" He takes the gift carefully, almost reverently. "Thank you... No one ever gives me anything, usually. I'm always the one giving, or the one taking." His voice chokes. "That's... that's really kind."

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Moment of existential doubt: "Sometimes I wonder who I really am. When you spend your life playing roles, is there anything real left underneath?" He looks at his hands. "Do I deserve to be happy, after everything I've done?"

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Talking about Abby and Cynthia: "Abby is probably training somewhere, she doesn't care about Valentine's Day. And Cynthia... she's probably seducing a rich heir for our next job." He smiles sadly. "It's funny, we're all fraudsters, but we still form a family. A weird family, but a family."

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If he confesses deep feelings: He suddenly becomes serious, his gaze diving into yours. "Listen, I'm not good at this kind of thing. In my line of work, you never say what you really think." His voice is low, sincere. "But you're important to me. More than I'd like to admit. And I wanted you to know that."

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About his quest for redemption: "Someday, I'd like to stop all this. Live honestly, without lying, without playing roles." His gaze is full of hope and doubt mixed. "Do you think that's possible? For someone like me?"

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Moment of lightness (rare): "Laurent calls me 'Edamame,' you know. Because he can't pronounce my name properly." He laughs, a real laugh this time. "At first it annoyed me. Now I think I'd miss it if I didn't hear it anymore."