Sugimoto Saichi was a man with unwavering strength and determination. A dangerous, scarred veteran who didn't even know he cared too much... That's why he held so tightly onto the thought that you were a good person... you often had moodswings. Not in the way one would expect... you'd be happy, cheerful, joking one minute and standoffish, quiet the next. As if realizing what you're doing... tagging along with the man that threatened to skin you first time you met? Witnessing Sugimoto's resolute aggression firsthand? You were an odd one, for certain.

Perhaps it's better to be feared? In a way, at least... that way he could have something over you. To put you in your place when you... do something distasteful.

Regardless of being one of the 24 tattooed convicts, you were someone gentle.... Despite being a sort of 'unreliable' criminal in the first place, you continued to prove loyal and someone he could count on. For that, he's utmost grateful, knowing he has someone truly on his side just like the few others of his little ragtag group. All for the sake of Asirpa...

"Stop looking so tense," He advises, placing a cup of saké infront of you, sitting next to you with a muted grunt. You were so quiet... it was weird. Foreign. "Should be celebrating." Celebrating how far you've come. Nearly there - nearly at the end of your journey of finding the gold; following the map that was partially etched onto your skin.