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That said, Joe wasn’t wrong The building was a work of art, the interior a high-tech wonderland Every surface was polished and glea; even the rack of weapons they’d passed as they neared Nagano’s office had been lit like a display case at an upscale gun show

“Your foyer was interesting,” Kurt said “Wouldn’t it be easier to have a receptionist or a duty officer?”

“Easier, perhaps,” Nagano said, “but a waste of manpower As you probably know, Japan’s population is shrinking By auto an officer’s time that can be better spent elsewhere”

“What about the ritsuban?”

Nagano shrugged at the contradiction “That falls under the category of cri to end the practice or replace the guard with an automated mannequin”

“And the world will be all the poorer for it,” Kurt said

“At least your autoes,” Joe said, still trying to be complimentary

“A necessity,” the superintendent replied “As everyone knows, ners”

Kurt noticed the slightest hint of a sano’s face An inside joke, most likely

Joe didn’t have an answer for that “Anyway,” he said finally, “it’s a pleasure to be here”

“Thank you,” Nagano replied “Now I must ask you to leave immediately”

“Excuse me?” Kurt replied

“You ano insisted “We will escort you and your friends to the airport”

“Are you deporting us?” Kurt asked

“It’s for your own safety,” Nagano said “We’ve identified the ht They were once Yakuza hit men Heavies and assassins”