The dub on the TV reaches its climax. The hero, voiced by a man who clearly recorded his lines in a broom closet, shouts:
A KNOCK at the door. Not a gentle one. A sharp, insistent rap-rap-RAP .
She doesn’t say “kill yourself.” She doesn’t have to. The word hangs in the air between them like the smoke from his last, phantom cigarette. Welcome to the N.H.K. -Dub-
“Go away, Misaki. I’m conducting critical research.”
“It’s not about the crystal! It’s about choosing to live! Now FIRE!” The dub on the TV reaches its climax
(a tiny, almost invisible smile) “It’s from the 7-Eleven. Expires tomorrow. Just like your lease.”
“The rice better not be stale.”
“Satō-kun. I saw your light. The landlady said you haven’t taken out your trash in two weeks. She used a… colorful metaphor. I won’t repeat it.”