Editor-in-chief Hammond's expression shifted several times the instant he saw Ririko.
He tried to preserve his last shred of authority in front of his staff. "What are you talking about, woman?"
Clark turned sideways and stretched out an arm to stop her. "Ririko, it's dangerous here. You should leave."
Ririko ignored him.
She walked straight up to Editor-in-chief Hammond, then turned around and swept her gaze over every face watching her in the office.
She met each newspaper employee's eyes in turn, then said, enunciating every word:
"Can any of you honestly say... you've ever helped Clark?"
Clark had been kept from becoming a permanent employee, forced to live in a cheap apartment, and robbed of an award without anyone caring...
Everyone here bore some responsibility for those things through their indifference.
No one spoke.
Several people lowered their eyes. Some stared at their computer screens; others looked down at their knees.
Her sharp gaze swept around once more. "And now you want him to save you? Isn't that funny?"
Clark felt even more awkward about the situation.
It wasn't that he hadn't known about these things, but having Ririko stand up for him left him strangely touched.
Editor-in-chief Hammond cleared his throat, trying to salvage the situation.
"Clark... I was wrong before. I'll give you a raise and a promotion. Please... save me."
Clark was still considering how to respond when Jerome began speaking on the screen again.
"The final one-minute countdown. If you don't admit who you are, all the Laughing Gas Bombs will go off at once."
Clark raised his hand. "Please, wait-"
"Clark," Ririko said, turning to him, "let's go. None of them are good people anyway."
Editor-in-chief Hammond's voice shot up as he rushed in front of them. "Don't leave!"
Ririko looked him up and