2026-04-10: The Time of Joka
- Cutscene: The Time of Joka
- Cast: Chizuru Ishigami
- Where: Sumaru TV
- OOC Date: April 10th, 2026
- IC Date: Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
- Summary: Want Long Chizuru makes a grave pronouncement as to who is truly responsible for the Joker Killings... and offers a warning about what comes after."
Everyone who's anyone in Sumaru City knows that when Wang Long Chizuru speaks, you need to sit up and listen. Her predictions are after all, always correct. That's why this morning's episode of 'Sumaru Today' is inevitably tuned into by almost everyone in the city.
But it's also because she has stated that today she will reveal the true identity of the 'Joker'.
A host in a suit smiles at her, "Ishigami-san. The police put out a statement that the suspect's body was unidentifiable, yet you told our producers that you have come today to unveil the true identity of the 'Joker'."
Across from him sits a raven haired woman with Magatama earrings, smartly dressed in a stylish black pantsuit, "That's correct. Though it seems that you are under a misapprehension of what the 'Joker' actually is."
The TV host, looking puzzled, asks her, "... So then... Who exactly is the Joker?" And she begins to patiently explain, like an expert imparting wisdom on her specialty, "In Wang Long, the Joker is in fact 'Joka'. A term that denotes a human possessed by Kegare, a negative energy that accumulates when one commits grave sins. It is also a dragon that is steeped in this negative energy. So to answer your question..."
She pauses, as if considering the phrasing.
"The 'Joker' is a great many people. These crimes cannot be attributed to any one person." The TV host appears even more flabbergasted at her revelation, "But... are you suggesting that the serial killings have been carried out by a great many people?"
"I am." She responds gravely, "This entire world was made to punish humans for their sinful pasts within the endless samsara. Those that called out to the 'Joka' inevitably draw its gaze, accumulating Kegare as they perpetuate the gravest of crimes. Kegare calls forth more Kegare- so as people commit crime, this dyes the souls of more people black with corruption. While the Guardian Dragons protect people by reabsorbing Kegare, they will tolerate the depravity of mankind for only so long, before they will become enraged - and their wrath will threaten to consume this entire sinful world."
She stands up now, and walks closer towards the camera.
"Good people of Sumaru! Do not be overpowered by jealousy and hatred, and above all do not call upon 'Joka' by using the Joker Curse! If you ignore my warning, you will be possessed by Joka, and thus become a Joker yourself...!"
Following this dire pronouncement, the host clears his throat, then states, "Well you heard it here first. The Joker is not any one person. One should listen to Ishigami-san if they wish to avoid this terrible outcome-"
In the back, there's a sudden shout- "Call the police! Fumihiro-san has gone crazy!" The host looks around as if aggravated by the interruption, and begins to stand up before the camera feed cuts into a test pattern at the sound of a piercing scream...
... and a final look at Wang Long Chizuru's face, with an ominous look of warning, cut by jagged lines of static.