Ringo Hidari's Questionnaire

I live in the city of Yokohama with my (half) sister Cosette.

We both live in a shrine that my father used to live and work at back at somewhere in the 90's. Back then, I used to live on an island called Naoshima with my uncle before he had to do some work outside of Japan.

And that was when I heard that my father had passed... He left me a letter and told me to open it when I was alone, and when I did I found out about the shrine and Cosette's existence. Honestly, the fact that I didn't know about having a sister surprised me, but that's a story for another day.

So yeah, I'm kinda working as a caretaker for the shrine alongside the shrine maidens that work there and all the while paying for Cosette's medical bill.

The thought of leaving the shrine and living somewhere else did cross my mind once, but I thought about it some more and I realized that it's not that bad living here in the shrine. Besides, I don't even think Cosette will even like that idea.

I get cash in a LOT of ways, my part time jobs, shrine work, and the jobs my boss sends me and a few others to do. They aren't that bad, usually it's just "Grab this thing for me." or "I need you to test this for me." or even... 'Something violent'... And I do not want to elaborate on that one.

However, when I do get paid, I just spend it on basic necessities like food, water, electricity, and clothes. But of course I can't forget about Cosette's medical bills. So most of the money I get are going directly to the medical bills.

My ambition? Yeah, sorry to say but I don't have any. It might sound like I'm lying or just being cliché but really, I don't have any sort of ambitions aside from helping others.

...Unless that counts as an ambition, then I guess I've gotten far with it. Pretty far, but not far enough, every time I stick my nose into problems and I just screw it all up. And every screw up I just escalate the problem or worse, I get someone into trouble and killed for it. Despite all of that though, I hope that with these powers that I've gained while doing these contracts... Maybe I can help others the way I help Cosette deal with that illness of hers.

Though, I may get hurt from time to time while helping others, and I don't mind it. If it means that others may be happy then I'll be 'Their Shield'.

..Could you turn the lie detector off for this one? No? Tch... Alright then, I'll tell ya..

I remember that day vividly... The day I killed 'him'.

It happened a year ago, during my way back home after forgetting about Cosette's birthday present. I was so busy with work at the time I forgot what day it was! So, immediately after my shift was over I grabbed my bag and ran out as quickly as I could to Shibuya's 109. That's when I realized I grabbed the wrong bag...

What was inside it? Well ya know just some ordinary stuff like uh... Books and stuff-

[An audible beep from the lie detector is heard going off]

Okay, okay there was a handgun in there! Jeez... Hm? What did I buy for her? None of your business. Anyways, continuing on.. After I bought her present I noticed a man tailing me, so I went in circles and got myself into an alley at Kabukicho. It was early in the morning so there weren't a lot of people out and about at that time. The man called out to me and started beating me up. He got me real good actually, gave me a bruise or two.

I tried fighting back to no avail, he was a bit more experienced in fighting than me... That was until the gun fell out of the bag. The two of us went for it, but I got to it first. I can still feel the 'rush' even to this day when I grabbed the gun, turning the safety off, and... shooting him twice.

What happened next? I dunno, maybe... I was screaming when I killed him? Probably, but he had it coming. Did it feel good?

[Ringo is silent for a while as he stared at the interviewer, dead in the eyes as he slowly leans closer to the mic]

It did.

[..The lie detector did not go off...]

Easy, Joe Biden-

[The lie detector immediately goes off]

Pfft... Hahahaha! What? I can't joke around once in a while? Ugh, fine.

Well, there's my uncle, Suzaku. Listen, he's so damn cool! He taught me how to defend myself when I lived in Naoshima. People call him 'Mr. Fixit' since he helps everyone around the island with their problems. He's probably the reason why I have a habit of helping others.

Then there's my sister, Cosette Rosenberg. Blame my father for the difference in our last names. She's a bit of a troublemaker, pulling pranks on the shrine maidens from time to time. Hell, she'll even pull some on me as well just because! But she does help out with taking care of the shrine... Even when she's sick... Heh, that kid has a heart of gold...

Anyways, that's everyone, so can I go now? Huh? One more? What do you- Ah, right. Three people.

Yeah I've got no one-

[The lie detector goes off]

Alright alright, I'll talk!

...Her name was Sumika Juutilainen. I met her back when I was assigned to my first mission after joining the Hotsuin Family. Back then the group didn't trust me too much, so what did they do? Assigned someone to watch over me. And that someone happens to be Sumika. We argued a bunch of times back then, but despite all of that she's the only one I could consider a friend... Maybe more... Hm? What happened to her?

[Ringo goes silent when asked that question.. he appears to be visibly shaken.]

Next question, please...

Oh my childhood was nice, nothing wrong at all.

[The interviewer gives Ringo a rather concerned look]

Okay... maybe it wasn't nice. My mother, Shoko Hidari, passed away when I was about uh... Seven years old I think? After her funeral my father, Adam Rosenberg, proposed that I come with him to England since thats where the rest of the Rosenberg Family were located at, or stay with my uncle at Naoshima. You can guess which option I chose, but you'd already know that if you've been paying attention. But we aren't going to talk about the Rosenbergs... Well, I hope we don't have to.

As I was saying... I had a rough time growing up, most of the things I remembered from my childhood were either sulking in my room watching video recordings of Ultraman Cosmos or just wandering around the island. Hell, I even made uncle Suzaku worried because I got lost in the forest once. Thankfully, someone found me crying under a tree and escorted me out of there. And I bet you're wondering who found me, am I correct? Well, it was the girl working at the local candy shop. Her name? It was something along the lines of uh... Well, I don't know her first name but her last name was Sorakado. That's all I know about her, honest.

Now, I did attend school. It's just that... I had a uh.. reputation for breaking the vending machine. Some people liked me for it, some didn't... Like that one girl at the top of the radio tower for example. Aside from that, I did great in classes. Oh! Also there's also this weird guy at school who's like really into ping-pong!

[The following conversation between Ringo and the interviewer has been cut due to the camera running out of storage]:

And that's how my childhood was. I admit, there were some ups and downs, but even then, I have some people around me who would help me out a couple of times.

Do I ever want to go back there? Well, maybe I'll pay the island a couple of visits. Oh! And I'll bring Cosette along to meet up with some of my old classmates!

[Ringo spits his drink out on the floor, he was caught off-guard by this question]

Woah there buddy, that's a really personal question you're asking! Well, I have been in love its just that.. well...

[Ringo blushes slightly, looking away from the interviewer as they chuckle]

Hm? My Handler? You mean Sumika? What about her?

...Do I have a crush on her? W-What kind of question is that?! N-N-No! I don't!

[The lie detector goes off and the interviewer begins to laugh]

Gah! This stupid thing! Okay! I do like Sumika! There, are you satisfied with your answer?! Ugh...

Have I confessed to her yet?

[Ringo looks away from the interviewer]

I.. I haven't... It's because... Well... I dunno man, maybe I'm just scared to tell her my feelings? Plus, she got promoted to be the boss's left hand and stuff... But ya know, maybe one day I'll tell her how I feel if one of us hasn't kicked the bucket yet.