"Eh, what do you mean?"
Velvet looked at me innocently, a slight crease on her forehead.
Did she really not know? That couldn't be. Has she never read a classic book, or has the very concept of punishment become foreign in this fully digital age?
I sighed inwardly.
Crimes and Punishment by Dostoevsky.
In Japan, that book was practically legendary—revived even in brutal battle royale memes. But in 2035? Forget classic literature—web novels about isekai and reincarnation easily dominated every neural interface more than old-school shounen manga.
"Here's the thing," I began, trying to simplify it.
"Crimes and Punishment is a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It's about a young man who feels he deserves punishment after committing a crime. It dives deep into questions about morality and personal justice."
Velvet stayed silent, her gaze blank. I don't think any of that landed on her mind.
"So, what does that have to do with the event earlier?" She asked.
