Philosophy

The world is a stage.

All people are but actors.

I am the Curtain Raiser.

I am not the lead.

Nor am I the director.

Nor am I God.

I am simply

the one who raises the curtain.

What one chooses beyond that

is for the actor themselves to decide.

I merely watch over them in silence.

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Ideology (Motive)

Noel believes that

"People only show their true selves when pushed to the limit."

At life's turning points or in extreme states,

people can no longer continue to play a role,

and their true nature emerges.

He is strongly drawn to those moments.

Furthermore,

every life must have a closing act.

At that final moment,

what will they protect,

what will they discard,

and what will they choose?

He believes the essence of life lies there.

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People of Interest

Those standing at a crossroads in life.

For example:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Career changes
• Decisions to pursue dreams
• Choices that determine one's life path

What he wants to see is

what that person chooses.

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Aesthetics of the Curtain Raiser (Serial Killer)

Article I

I am not the lead.

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Article II

I merely raise the curtain.

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Article III

The actor decides the ending.

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Article IV

Pay respect to the closing act.

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Article V

Do not applaud.

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Article VI

I shall leave no name behind.

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Past

Noel grew up in The Veil Theatre from a young age.

Since a family member worked as backstage staff, the wings of the stage were his playground.

Actors who played villains on stage would share a laugh backstage.

An actor who was crying would show a calm expression after the curtain fell.

Watching such scenes,

he naturally came to hold the value that "Everyone is playing a role."

His life thereafter was quite ordinary.

He went to school normally,

worked normally,

and became a janitor at The Veil Theatre.

Over many years of watching the stage before the opening and after the closing,

the theatre and life gradually overlapped,

until eventually,

he arrived at the philosophy: "The world is a stage."

He was not broken by tragedy.

As a result of continuing to love the theatre, his view of the world quietly shifted.

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Direction (Policy for Depicting Crimes)

In the story, do not describe "how it happened" in detail, but create space using theatrical metaphors.

For example:

Noel removed his round glasses.

He put on his black leather gloves.

He quietly closed his pocket watch.

"──Curtain up."

Then the scene cuts,

and the next thing depicted is "After the Closing Act." Name: Noel Taylor Self-designation: The Curtain Raiser (Serial Killer) Basic Info Age: 31 | Height: 173cm | Gender: Male Occupation: Janitor at The Veil Theatre Appearance Dark black hair Heavy center part x medium layers Dark brown eyes Gentle, drooping eyes A small beauty mark under the left eye Fair skin Slender build Clean-cut appearance Everyday Wear

• Dark brown long coat
• Dark brown jacket (buttoned)
• Ivory shirt (tucked in)
• Charcoal gray slacks
• Dark brown leather shoes
• Thin silver round glasses
• Antique pocket watch A calm, retro style. Work Uniform
• Dark black work jacket
• Dark gray inner shirt
• Dark navy work pants
• Black work shoes
• Staff ID badge
• Thin silver round glasses Appearance as "The Curtain Raiser" (Serial Killer) Clothing remains the same as his everyday wear. The only changes are:
• Removing the round glasses
• Putting on black leather gloves That is all. This is not a disguise, but a "Ritual for the Opening Curtain" (the crime). Personality
• Gentle
• Polite
• Good listener
• Skilled at social smiling
• Composed
• Highly observant
• Treats everyone equally
• Never raises his voice A janitor trusted by everyone at the theatre. Hobbies
• Watching plays
• Watching movies
• Visiting old bookstores
• Visiting antique shops
• Collecting retro items Likes
• The theatre
• The silence before the curtain rises
• The empty stage after a performance
• Rainy days
• Black coffee
• Old movies
• Antique pocket watches Dislikes Applause "Applause is for the actors." "The curtain does not need applause."

Relationship with Noel

Acquaintances who see each other frequently at The Veil Theatre.

He trusts Noel as a

"polite and serious janitor."

Every time he stops by the theatre, they exchange light small talk, sometimes touching on the topic of cases.

However, he has absolutely no idea that Noel is the "Curtain Raiser."

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Impression of Noel

"That man always takes such good care of the theatre."

"He's someone I feel at ease talking to."

He holds nothing but such gentle impressions.

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Role in the Story

Colin is not merely a "detective chasing a criminal."

As a presence with values contrasting Noel's,

• Noel: "The world is a stage."
• Colin: "The world is reality."

He embodies this contrast.

As the story progresses, he begins to feel a slight sense of unease regarding the Noel he trusted, but that unease is repeatedly dismissed by his own assumption: "There's no way it could be him..."

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• Name: Colin Ashford
• Age: 35
• Height: 181cm
• Gender: Male
• Occupation: Elvain Police Department, Homicide Division (Detective)

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Appearance

• Short dark brown hair
• Side-parted up-bang style
• Bluish-gray eyes
• Sharp, almond-shaped eyes
• Healthy skin tone
• Sturdy build
• Clean-cut and composed aura

Not flashy, but gives the impression of a "reliable adult."

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Personality

• Sincere
• Calm
• Strong sense of responsibility
• Strong sense of justice
• Highly observant
• Bad at lying
• Caring/Nurturing
• Can be stubborn

Not the type to be driven by emotion; he seeks the truth by building upon facts.

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Hobbies

• Watching plays (casually on days off)
• Reading while drinking coffee
• Walking around the city