Track 10

(We went out to the street to try and regroup, but we still don't have a plan.)

(I need to think. How can we catch those dogs…)

O-oi! Kafka, over there!

There are police cars gathered around… Oh.

Kafka! Renga-kun!

Looks like you're both safe.

Chief-chan! Everyone's here too…!

I spoke to one of the police officers back at the venue, and we all hurried over. I thought maybe I could lend a hand.

And… I can't help but worry about everyone.

Woof! Woof!

…..

…Uhm, I'm sorry. You told me to stay with the police, and yet…

…No, it's okay.

Chief-chan, thank you. You're reliable as always. The two of us are alright.

…! Yeah!

Sakujiro-san and Yachiyo-kun are talking to the police right now. How are things over here…?

The investigation in Chinatown has been completed. The large dog that ran out earlier has also been apprehended. So as of right now, there are no more dogs that pose a threat.

…! That dog's already been caught?!

The dog was tranquilized, and is now asleep. Thankfully no one was harmed.

I-I'm so glad…

So we got the most annoying ones outta the way, yea?

That leaves the dog that ran away with the jewelry. How about him?

No, I'm afraid we haven't caught him yet.

We have also attempted to apprehend him with the help of the police dogs, but we've yet to succeed. Looks like he's too familiar with the terrain.

He slips away in the craziest spots. It's a pain in the ass.

The police have already deployed security drones in the warehouse and the surrounding area. Currently, there are no signs that the dog has fled.

So he must be around here somewhere.

That's right. The two of us couldn't catch him on our own, so let's all work together.

Yeah! Let's do that!

(Kafka and Renga-kun are talking like they used to. They must have made up… I'm so glad!)

My brothers… it looks like you've made up. I'll give you both a hug later.

EH…?

Cut it out, what's with the hug talk?

Whaaat, the fun's over. You guys done fighting?

…I suppose you've opened your eyes.

Yup. I guess we've worried everyone. But… it's all good now ♪

If chasing him just ends with him running away, I suppose we could all corner him as a group but…

The thing is, these streets go pretty far. It'll be hard to surround him. Besides, he's way too fast.

If speed is the problem, we could use vehicles like motorcycles or bikes…. but then both we and the dog could get hurt.

What do we do…

Woof!

Shumai? What's wrong?

Woof! Woof!

(Shumai is.… trying to do something? He went to Mile and the other dogs—)

Woofwoof.

Woof?

Woof!

Are they talking to each other?

Probs just talking 'bout food, right?

…..

They're all working so hard. I'll make sure to cook everyone's favorites tonight.

Of course, that goes for us as well. Please tell me what you'd like to eat.

…I'd like some shumai.

👍

What? Stop smiling like that.

Please excuse me. I was so happy to receive a request from you, so I couldn't help it… I'll make the most delicious shumai for you tonight.

Of course, I'll be sure to set the most relaxing atmosphere for my younger brothers to talk—

Ah. Looks like Shumai and the police dogs have finished their conversation. Okay, time to join them.

Wait, this is…!

Woof!

…They're in the crane wing formation?

They… must have done this on purpose. Looks like they joined forces…

Woof woof!

Shingen?

Woof…!

He's signaling for me to hold the leash. They must have a plan.

Must be it. Even Totomaru's joining… oop?

Woof!

Uh, Shumai-san. Why'd you get on my shoulder?

Maybe it's because… he knows that Ten's the fastest runner here?

Isn't that great, Ten! Shumai looks like he's pretty comfy up there too!

Uhhh…. shouldn't this be Prez or Renga-san's job instead?

I can't really tell what's going on, but I'm sure that they're trying to do something. Let's leave it to them for now.

R1ze, move out. Be sure to keep in touch. Follow your partner's instructions and act accordingly!

…..

Wooow, someone's motivated. Were you this fast the whole time?

…Well, I guess being bossed around kinda sucks.

Woofwoof!

…Grrrrr!

…Found you.

Murakumo here. We found the dog, so we're gonna chase it now.

Dead end, huh? It'd be great if you just let me catch you here.

Grrr…!

Guess not. Target's gone under the wall and escaped.

"That's alright, Ten."

We've got eyes on our target.

*bark!!*

…!!

He ran away again… After him, Mile!

…Looks like Shumai and the police dogs really were exchanging information earlier.

"Exchanging information"?

Mhm. I think they pieced together what they've learned so far… and realized there was a pattern to this dog's escape routes.

Which means, something's about to happen—

Woooof!

Grrr!?!

(I knew it! An ambush followed by a surprise attack…!)

…They must be using "furinkazan".

"Fu… furin… tarzan?"

Furinkazan. I believe it was a strategy used by Shingen Takeda, a warlord of the Sengoku period.

"Swift as the wind, silent as the forest"... surely you have heard the phrase before.

"Oh, now that you mention it, I heard that on a quiz show one time…!" 

"Guess Totomaru's the wind then, yea?"

"Wind" – Totomaru, the fastest dog, approaches swiftly and causes a disruption.

"The forest" – Mile, Shingen, and Ace hid in the shadows, surrounding the target in a circle.

"Fire" — they ambushed the target at full force…

I heard from Kosaka-san that Shingen's owner is a big fan of Shingen Takeda.

So perhaps Shingen taught Shumai this strategy.

"HUUUH, that dog's way too smart?!?!"

"That dog meeting's crazy."

Grrrrr… *bark!*

Surrender already. You're suffering in vain.

…*bark!!*

He escaped through a gap again…!

(He must know that it's hopeless now, and that it's only falling into deeper agony. I suppose it is simply the nature of a dog to keep going, no matter what, for the sake of its master.)

Let's go after him! I'm sure that we can do it—

*pant… pant…*

…You were hounded over and over 'til you had no choice but to run out in the open. Your stamina's gotta be gone by now. How 'bout you give up?

*bark…!*

Guess he won't listen to me anyway. But…

…!

"Mountain" – the saying goes 'as unmoving and steady as a mountain', right? We done yet?

*pant, pant…*

(His legs are shaking… he's got no life in his eyes... Poor thing. Even when things turned out like this, he's still trying to do his job...)

(...I'm sure he believes that no matter how evil his owner is… that's still his rightful owner.)

…..

…It's tough, right? It hurts, right? Being used by a human like that… You must've been through so much scary stuff huh?

But we won't let that happen anymore. We… will definitely protect you.

So… so….!

I'm sorry….! I'm gonna capture you now, please forgive me!!

*Bark! Bark bark!!*

…Grr…!

It's okay. No need to be scared anymore. We won't hurt you anymore… So, please don't run away again… I'm begging you.

…..

…A-are you okay...!

… gh….

…He's breathing.

…There, there. You worked so hard up 'til now. Good boy.

—Renga?

It's okay. I think… he got so tired that he fell asleep.

I see... I didn't notice while we were chasing him, but his ribs are showing. Despite having such a weak body, he was fighting so hard.

…Yeah.

…The jewels are here too. Successfully retrieved.

Hey Kafka… Uhm…

Hm?

Is there any way we can protect these dogs, instead of putting them down…? I can't do it alone, but if we work together…

…Renga.

I'm sorry I'm always relying on you. But, I want to help these puppies… and protect them.

…You're giving me a chance to redeem myself, huh.

Eh?

Of course. I won't let any of them be put down. I've already thought of a rehabilitation program for these dogs, and I'll use my authority as the Ward 0 mayor to make it happen.

…! Kafka…!

I don't know your name yet, but it's going to be okay. I'll… definitely protect you.

(And this time, I'll do it the right way.)

Ace and the other police dogs have located the remaining members of the organization that were waiting nearby. They were apprehended and surrendered to the police.

Thanks. Everything's settled then.

No, I should be thanking you. You handled the issue very well.

…..

Theeere, there, there, theretheretherethere! Shumai, Leo, what good boys you are!! You did amazing!!

Woof~woof.

Woofwoof! Woooof!!

…You were right, Liguang.

Renga wasn't as weak as I thought he was… My immaturity was what dragged him down.

That took quite a while to notice. Especially for you.

Haha, right…

Even so, I never thought you'd get so attached to him.

Aren't you getting there too, Liguang?

...No.

…..

…At first, we were just a group of coworkers without any attachments whatsoever.

Haha. How times change…

…..

(What a coincidence, this is also where R1ze had our first live performance.)

(We've changed a lot since then, huh—)