[He remains silent for a moment, listening, waiting. He knows he can't forgive him for what he's done - and for what he could have done in his own timeline.]

...I really don't know.

[His thoughts aren't clear enough for him to discern what he wants to ask in specifics.]

I imagine you've read books before. Some that you've read for the first time. Some that you've read to the end.

If your bookmark is at the end of the story, mine's... not there yet. Is the easiest way I can put it. It's somewhere in the middle.

For me, your orders to make your own son kill me-- they weren't followed through on thanks to a sudden disappearance, so your lackeys took his place.

Through that alone, a lot has changed.

[There.. is a genuine desire to make Shido understand. He's not sure what he's looking for, but Shido fathoming the differences is important to him.]

Thanks to just that one difference, I'm lucky to even be cognizant enough to talk to you. Your underlings decided that extended torture before execution was more than a necessary.

[His gaze is cold, and yet it burns with unbridled rage. The trespasses to his person are unforgivable.]

From what I understand, the Joker from your time probably hasn't suffered possibly permanent brain damage as a result of what your orders put him through. I'm sure that would be easily noticed if he had, hm?

[Even if Shido was unaware of the goings-on in his own palace, certainly he'd seen "Joker" in person.]

All I'm glad about is that you finally feel guilt for what you've done.

But it doesn't change the fact that I still hate your guts for what you did to Goro.

[But, for what he did to him? In the beginning? A blessing in disguise that he'll never thank him for.]