Kotarou rather ruined the whole impression Lelouch was trying to give of a calm, collected front. Irritated by waiting, nervous about being owned by some new guy, and excited to see what his weapon would do now he'd finished pouring all of his raks into it, the kid was shifting from foot to foot or just pacing around, looking this way and that for whoever it was his Player had challenged to a fight.

It was unnerving not to have Oichi's quiet singsong filling the silence, if he was honest with himself. He'd gotten used to it.

"They're taking ages. Doesn't that disqualify them?"