EP

"This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to Shumai-sama..."

Woof.

"In recognition of his hard work and courage shown in investigating the case and eradicating the crime" … it says!

Amazing… it's the real deal. You were commended by the HAMA Police Station. Well done, Shumai!

Wooof ♪

How was the awards ceremony? Renga-kun attended with you, right?

Yup. He said "I'm definitely going!" and hurried over as soon as he was done with work.

Shumai was amazing.

Not only were the police officers there, but lots of media reporters too… Local magazines, online news outlets here in HAMA, and even animal magazine representatives—

Even in front of such a big crowd, Shumai stood with confidence ♪ He also agreed to pictures and interviews.

I-Interviews?

Mhm. Well, Renga and I interpreted for him though. Shumai was so passionate… It really moved me.

Woof.

I'm so glad I was there for his big moment. I was so proud of him.

…You were there for me back then, and you're still here for me now. I'm so glad I met you, Shumai.

Wooof ♪

Renga took lots of pics at the event, so you can ask him to show you later. He was so teary-eyed, but still made sure to capture everything.

Hooray! I can't wait to see them…!

...A lot of stuff happened, but I'm really glad that you and Renga-kun made up.

Whenever I see the two of you smiling together, it really puts me at ease.

…Chief-chan.

Um, you see. When I… fought with Renga, I said some pretty bad stuff to you too.

I'm sorry I said that I wanted to tie you down. My voice… got a bit rough too.

Nono, it's okay! It just shocked me.

At the time… you weren't being yourself. I had a feeling you were worried about something.

I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry I couldn't understand your feelings.

…

(What if I told you that I was afraid of Renga… no, that I was afraid of myself dying?)

(You'd probably look so sad. Saying those words alone might tie you down…)

Besides… I also want you to be safe. So I get how you feel.

I see. Thank you…

(But I really meant what I said. I still feel that way… I'm sure that my feelings for you run much deeper than yours do for me.)

(If I said that, I wonder how Chief-chan would react.)

(Will he be surprised? Or will he accept my feelings?)

Hm? What's wrong, Kafka?

( —Oh well.)

(I don't want you to change just because of my selfishness…)

It's nothing! Alright, time to go show off your certificate, Shumai!

Woof!

Woof ♪

Nuh-uh, you don't get to be so smug about it… You got that certificate while riding on my shoulders, right?

Ahaha. Shumai just wants everyone to praise him. Right?

Both Shumai, and Ten who carried Shumai on his shoulders were super cool!

Yea yea. So Prez, will you give me a raise?

I don't think you were impressive enough for that.

I worked pretty hard y'know? Well, whatever. I'm headin' out for a smoke.

Shumai looked so awesome during the awarding! Let's have a proper celebration sometime!

Woooof!!

You've got a shoot coming up, don't you. The one… that I double-booked for you.

Yeah. I turned it down at first, but it looks like they changed the schedule. I can take the job after all!

That's good to hear. Now we'll get to see a commercial with Renga in it every single day ♪

…Uhm, my manager wasn't the only one who negotiated for me. You also stepped in, right? I heard about how you both apologized to the client, and… Well, everything.

Of course I did, it was all my fault after all.

Turns out that they felt you were the perfect candidate for the role, and still wanted to cast you if possible. All we did was make the offer again, and they were happy to accept.

Despite all that, you were the one who landed that job for me. So…. Thank you, Kafka!

…No need. As long as you're happy, I'm happy too.

Woof…

Of course Shumai did a great job… but you were so cool when you caught the dog with the jewels, Renga.

Don't you think so too, Shumai?

Woof!

EH?! T-Thank you… Hearing you say that I'm cool… m-makes me happy.

I also… uhm, really a-admire you, Kafka!

The only reason why those puppies didn't get the worst fate was because you persuaded the police…

(I heard that dogs that hurt humans could get put down in an awful way. So… I'm really glad.)

The rehab program you came up with is helping those dogs change for the better! I heard everything about it from Kosaka-san. Really, thank you so much!

…All I did was what I should've done from the start.

Eh?

( —Believe in another's strength, and truly protect them.)

(...I should have believed in Renga from the beginning. That's all there was to it.)

(Shumai, Sakujiro, and Chief-chan all believe in me. If only I had believed in Renga too…)

I want to keep protecting you from now on, but, will you protect me too?

Yeah! Leave it to me!

Hehe. I will then.

…..

When were kids… I was in that hospital room, and you were in that alleyway. We were both fighting to survive.

And at the time, we were both given encouragement by our dogs.

You said that we were different back then, but don't you think we were pretty alike?

…..

Maybe, we were. Yeah, we were the same.

Even if we had met back then, I'm sure we would've ended up the way we are now.

Y-you think so? That'd make me really happy…

If we had met back then, like you said…

…..

I wouldn't have been Nishizono Renga.

…Maybe you would've been Oguro Ren instead.

Haha, does that mean I would've been your big brother?

Huh? Wouldn't I be the big brother?

I-I'm the older one here, so that'd be me!!

Ahaha, you're right ♪

(...I wonder what would've made me happier. Switching places with Kiba, or growing up with Kafka…)

(Well, there's no point thinking about it. 'Cuz I love Kiba so much. Everything I have, everything I do, is for Kiba.)

(Even the memories I make here… are just a lucky charm. Just things that will help me live on even if I leave.)

…..

Renga?

It's nothing. I'm glad that we met like this, Kafka.

…..

(He's probably thinking about the real "Nishizono Renga" right now.)

(The hand that reached out to him as a kid still lives on in his heart as an adult….)

(I can't believe we're similar in that way too.)

I'm glad that… we made some more memories together.

Hm?

Running throughout HAMA with Kafka, and everyone, working as a team. It's a precious memory to me.

Haha, I'm sure it'll be hard to let go once we make even more memories together… but, I still want to do it.

Just being here… makes me more and more greedy.

…Isn't that fine? Let's make more memories together.

We'll make so many memories that you can't hold all of them in your arms. Memories you won't ever forget, no matter what happens. Let's make more memories with everyone.

Oh, and by the way, I have no intentions of letting you go.

Yeah….

(Would Kiba forgive me… If I wanted both of us here? …Would Kiba even want that?)

…Nah, I'm an idiot, so it's not good for me to overthink stuff like this!

(...Renga. Ren. I'm sorry I couldn't save you back when we were kids. But…)

(From now on, I'll always be there for you. Just like how you helped me, I'll help you too.)

(I will never forgive anyone who causes you such pain—)

..I'm sure we would've become great friends, even if we met when we were little.

I'm sure there's a meaning as to why we met as "Nishizono Renga" and "Oguro Kafka".

…Hm? Did you say something, Kafka?

I heard that there's going to be another dog goods market soon. Wanna go with me?

…! Of course I do!

Now that we've got plans, I'll work extra hard. I'll finish everything and get a perfect day off!

Huuh~ Aren't you excited. Actually, you guys seem closer than before?

Hehe. It's pretty nice. You jealous, Ten?

WAH– K-Kafka…!

Renga gave me a big hug the other day, so I'm just returning the favor~

O-okay, you get in here too, Ten! It's time to show off the… uh, unity, power? of the Tiger Room!

Uh, to who?

I'm perfectly fine here, so I'll pass.

Y-You sure? Well, if you ever feel like joining in, do it whenever! We'll welcome you with open arms!

Yea yea. Whatever you say.

Let's stay friends and go on walks together for a long time, okay Renga?

…! Of course! We're walking buddies after all!

Woof!!