Chapter 3: Where the Search Leads

All right, that's it. We're going minimalistic and tossing everything we don't need. I was wrong to suggest we simply clean up.

Unless it's a necessity, we're gonna toss it. That way, we'll be able to finish this and find the device while we're at it.

I need all of it. Period.

No way. There's a wet book on the floor...and there's that big machine.

I'm the one who decides whether I need it or not. You're not the boss of me.

That's right. Even if it looks like it's just sprawled on the floor, there's a specific way we categorize it and keep it there.

Whether audio devices or books, we might never be able to find the same ones if we let them go now. You should understand that too, Shinji.

Oh, so now you're all ganging up on me? You all complain, but we're going nowhere at this rate.

Well, if you want to lead the way, then why not start by tossing your clothes? You have several of the same items.

The designs are all slightly different. There's no way I'm gonna throw them away.

See, you're saying the same thing! Come on, forget the whole minimalist thing.

Yeah, but we're risking a fine here. Do you think Kisuke would back down if we said we lost it?

Most definitely not. I think the right way is for you to take responsibility as leader for not taking care of it properly.

Why just me? We're all gonna share responsibility in this.

All right, I get it. Let's all look for it.

Hey, everyone! Gather round! Oh, you're all already here. What's going on?

Shinji, hear me out!

You said we were tossing everything since it's becoming a mess, so I took it all out, but now they're all mad at me!

It's called moderation! Why the hell would you really throw everything away?!

You threw it away?! Everything?! Well, did you find the device?

I don't even know what it looks like. There was a wooden crate with a bunch of books and a cardboard box packed with replicas of the same clothes.

Oh, and I found a box that said "Ura" on it behind all the boxes, but I just tossed it all out!

That's the one! It's not trash! It's what we were looking for!

Whaaaa?! But I tried poking at it and it didn't move, so I thought it was broken!

It wouldn't move if you didn't turn it on.

If it moved when you poked it, now that would've been weird. Ugh, this isn't the time to argue. We have to go retrieve it!

Awwww! But why? How come?! I put a lot of effort into throwing it away!

Huh? Stop getting in my way, idiot!

Do you even know how tiring it was to carry all of that?!

Kisuke, are you here?

Shinji, I've been waiting for you. I take it you finally found the device?

Yeah, we kinda found it, but, uh... Things happened...and it was taken away as trash.

Oh... I wonder if it's safe for it to be collected as normal trash. I hope nothing terrible happens.

Yeah... Anyway, so that's that and we have to say goodbye to it. Sorry!

Which means that you've lost it for good, but...

...I suppose I'm also at fault for not coming earlier to retrieve it. Let's just say you owe me one this time.

Really? Great! That's a relief!

Why is all the trash back here and scattered in a pile of mess? What the hell? That idiotic baldy!

I'm actually glad he brought it back.

Same goes for me, but now we have to sort it all out again.

And how long is that gonna take?

Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.

I'm not doing any of it! Let's just toss it all out again! That should solve everything!

Oh, I thought I lost this one. I should read it over again.

Kenseeeei! I'm hungryyyy!

It looks like we'll be doing all the work.