Katsuya winces in sympathy. Even fluent in English, his pronunciation isn't always the best. It took him months to be able to say Hermione's name properly. And she's not the only one.

"A lot of trial and error and patient people repeating themselves until I got it right. I can usually make myself understood through context but it is fustrating."

What is this? What is happening right now? Is he actually shooting the shit with Majima? He doesn't get the chance to think too hard on it before the subject turns again.

"The smell is horrific. You can't ever get it out of your clothes. To say nothing about the dangers. Those are obvious, though." He takes another drag from his cigarette and watches Majima look him over. His observation makes the officer crack a smile finally.

"To put it mildly. But everyone has their own struggles. I'm not the one bearing such heavy scars like you are, Majima-san."