After Dark

In a guest room in the Alphaville, Mari and Korogi sit disinterestedly watching the same Creatures of the Deep documentary as Shirakawa. They soon give up and turn off the television. Mari asks Korogi about herself. She and Komugi work as a team from 10pm to 10am. Korogi has been working at Alphaville for a year and a half.

Mari asks Korogi about her real name. Korogi says that it would have been dangerous to keep using her real name: She is hiding from certain people. Working at love hotels invites anonymity; it makes it easier to fly under the radar. She used to be an ordinary woman with an office job. She warns Mari that though the ground may feel solid, it can give way at any time.

Korogi does not know what will happen if the people she is running from catch her. She tells Mari that she has never told anyone else this. Mari believes her, which surprises Korogi, as they are strangers. Korogi shows her a burn scar—a brand—that her pursuers left on her back. For some reason, Korogi feels she can confide in Mari.

Mari wants to tell Korogi something she has not told anyone.