Track 2

(Today is our on-site training with the police dogs…! I have no idea what a police dog event would look like, so I've been looking forward to this..!)

….….. ♪

(Renga-kun's been restless all morning. Hehe, he must be pretty excited. He was even watching videos on police dogs yesterday…)

Tch, you're more restless than the dogs. Stop moving like that.

W-WHO ARE YOU CALLING RESTLESS???!!! I'M STAYING STILL OVER HERE!!!!

…His voice is so loud too….

Let him be. Dogs naturally get excited when meeting other dogs, right?

N-now, now. This just proves how ready Renga-kun is to take on this job, doesn't it!

I wonder what kinds of puppies we'll meet, I'm looking forward to it. Right, Renga?

Y-yeah…!

……I didn't think I'd be joining too….

You're the conductor for the morning team, so of course that means you'd be coming too, Yachiyo.

So mean….! I'm not good with dogs…. My heart is so fragile that even Shumai scares me.

Yachiyo-kun, don't worry. The police dogs are all well-trained, so there's no need to be scared.

Oh, someone's here.

HIIIEE! T-T-THE DOGS ARE…!! BIG BOSS! PLEASE PROTECT MEEE!!

…Fuefuki, get away from me.

Haha. To Liguang-san, Yachiyo-san is probs scarier than any dog.

I-is that gramps… the police dog trainer?

More importantly, isn't he being dragged by some dogs? They kinda look like a dog sled coming at us.

Wow, what incredible core strength. Even as he's being dragged full force by dogs, his body doesn't waver at all.

That person… I mean, those dogs pulling him might be our partners today.

I am air, I am aaairrr, I am oxygen…..

Okay, stop, stooop….! Alright… hello, hello! I'm Kosaka, the dog trainer.

My lower back has been in pain since this morning, so I was having trouble getting ready…. My sincere apologies for keeping you all waiting.

Thank you very much for accepting our collaboration request.

There's no need to thank us. We're honored that you reached out.

Nice to meet you! L-let's do our best today!

Yes, likewise.

(I was wondering what kind of person a dog trainer like Kosaka-san would be, but he seems very gentle and kind!)

Alright, I'll start by introducing the puppies who will be participating in this event. They're all lovely, so please get along with them.

…Get along… with dogs… get along….? N-no way no way no way no way.

….Woof!

HIIIIEEE!! THIS ONE'S WAGGING ITS TAIL AND COMING CLOSER! IT'S GONNA EAT MEEE!! SOMEONE SAVE ME!!!!

— "Stay."

Fweh?

It stopped… moving?

"Leo", "come here".

Woah, and now it's sitting down in its original spot. So well-behaved.

(Training really is important for dogs, huh.)

….Kosaka, was it. You seem to be a very skilled trainer.

Indeed.

My apologies. Looks like these puppies are very excited to meet everyone. They've been looking forward to this since yesterday.

Okay, first off–

This is Leo, a German Shepherd. He goes at his own pace and tends to be a bit mischievous, but he's a gentle dog. He will be paired with Nishizono-san.

….! N-nice to meet you, Leo!

Woof!

…What a cool dog! There was a German Shepherd at AniPara too, I've always thought they were awesome. I'm so happy I get to be your partner…!

This is Totomaru, the Kai Ken. He's the fastest among all the dogs. He's smart, but can also be rather detached and aloof. I don't think he'll be much trouble.

Murakumo-san, please take care of him.

…..

(Uh, what's with the 'detached' part? Well, it's nice that he seems easy to look after.)

This is Shingen, a Siberian Husky. He's very affectionate and loves people. I'd like for Kamina-san to take care of him.

Yes, leave it to me. …What a lovely coat, Shingen. And such a pink tongue too, he must be in good health.

*pant pant pant*

Ace the Doberman will be with Lu-san. He's a very hardworking puppy. Please be aware though that he dislikes water and is a bit shy.

Understood.

*whine…*

Lastly, this is Mile the Beagle. He's a brave and curious one. This puppy is—

My partner, right? Nice to meet you, Mile!

Woof!

There's also going to be a homestay with them at HAMA House… But let's have everyone get to know each other before the training proper.

After you've interacted a bit, I'll be instructing you. So that once you're ready—

(Hm? Kosaka-san's voice is getting lower and lower…..like his tone is reaching the ground… and his gaze is getting sharper….?)

I would like for everyone to immediately head out to investigate and bring down some vicious criminals… and teach them a lesson with brute force…… okay?

HIIIIEEE!!!! THIS GUY'S EYES ARE SCARY!!!! HELP ME, OFFICER!!!!

Hold on, you know that he's the police officer right Yachiyo?

Alright, that is all for now. Please play with them for the time being!

(He went back to being a gentle old man in an instant…! I-is this the power of a dog trainer…?!)

Chief-chan. I can tell what you're thinking just from the look on your face. It's not like that. It's probably just his personality.

*huff huff, pant pant…*

There there. Good boy, Shingen.

He's already showing his belly and being sweet…! As expected of Yuki-nii. Shingen also looks so happy to be pet by you.

I used to pat your head like this a lot too. Like after tests, or after you've eaten two servings of rice.

Even now, you're working very hard. It's been a while, so can I pat your head again?

Huh, uhm, I haven't done anything praise-worthy yet today…

Just staying alive is something to be proud of. Now, come here.

You there. Stop. Back off back off back off back off. Excessive physical contact with the chief is not allowed!

Ah… Do you also want a head pat, Kafka? I'm sorry that I didn't notice. Do not worry, I have two hands.

You have tw– that's not the point. Why does it always end up like this?

Woof!

See, Mile also thinks this isn't good.

Fufu, I'm sure Mile also wants some head pats. There there….

Mile is so small compared to the others, but he's still doing his best as a police dog. That's amazing…!

Earlier, Kosaka-san was telling me that Mile uses his sense of smell and mainly helps with finding people.

Plus, he can use his size to his advantage to squeeze through small spaces and conduct searches. Apparently he's received awards multiple times.

Speaking of, Shingen has also saved lives on numerous occasions.

Everyone is so dutiful…! Good job, Shingen, Mile~!

Woof woof.

(These dogs…. have Chief-chan all to themselves, as he's smiling and petting them the whole time.)

..Must be nice. I want a head pat too.

Ah, my brother sense just tingled. Kafka, I'll give you a head pat after all.

Like I said, why does it always end up like this? I absolutely refuse!

Aaaahh… Dogs are scary, but this view is just the best.

Alright, one more time. Ace. Jump over the hurdles and return at once.

Woof!

(The sight of Big Boss, who's so used to giving out commands! Even this dog senses that he's the bossss!)

(A gaze that demands absolute obedience..!! Big Boss' dignified presence….!)

That was a magnificent jump, Ace. This must be the results of your daily training.

Now, come here. I'll be gentle and pet you.

AAAAAAAAAHHH I CAN'T HOLD BACK ANYMOOREE!!!

BIG BOSS! If I jump like that, will you also pet me with your big hands?!?!

Oookay, Leo. Go…. fetch!

Woof woof!

Wow, you caught it! Good job~! You're so smart!

Woof!

Ahaha, don't lick my face so much! It tickles!

(The dog that was with me in that alleyway… I think he was also a German Shepherd. Whenever we played together, he would lick my face and be super sweet, just like this. I miss him…. I wonder if he's doing well.)

Leo really likes you, Renga-san~ Maybe he's got some sense of sympathy? Some dogs get along well with other dogs, after all.

Sympathy…? I don't really get it, but I'm really happy that we're becoming friends!

(Crazy how he didn't get the sarcasm.)

By the way, where's Totomaru?

Over there.

………..

Eh… in that corner? A-are you and Totomaru not getting on well?

Nope?

Oooiii, Totomaru~

……

(...! He came over! Not only that, he sat down next to Ten without a command….)

Oh, you are getting along–

………

…I think?

Woof?

Well, even though he's kinda poker-faced he properly listens to me. So this is fine. Yea?

……….

(He's keeping his distance and not letting things get heavy, so this is great.)

Oya…. OYAOYAOYAOYAOYAOYA!!!

….Huh? Is that person charging towards us, Sakujiro-san?

Oh me, oh my! What a charming collection of dogs this is! A German Shepherd, a Kai Ken, a Siberian Husky, a Doberman, and a Beagle—

Every single one of them appears to be rather intelligent and in perfect health, not to mention that their fur is incredibly fluffy! It is proof that they are being raised with heaps full of love!

He was able to tell their condition just by looking at them. As expected of Sakujiro-san.

What's wrong, Sakujiro? I thought you had a meeting at the office today…

That went along without a hitch. Everything is in tip-top shape, and everyone is working perfectly and efficiently.

However, I have come to discuss an urgent matter with you, Mr. President. And... if possible, please keep it confidential.

…I see. Shall we move to a different location then?

Is that true, Sakujiro?

Indeed. This particular criminal group utilizes dogs to wreck havoc in various places. We have received a tip that they are planning to use the R1ze police dog event as a smokescreen to commit a crime.

The criminal organization has reportedly injured several civilians, and there have been casualties with the risk of being fatal.

…*gasp*

I have done a bit of research myself. Apparently, about 10 years ago…. this group has also incited a crime in HAMA.

I have confirmed that there are records of an incident in the area of a certain brick warehouse.

…! Show me those records.

…This timeline…

(These guys are definitely the ones who injured Renga when he was younger.)

(...Several people have been seriously injured by them over the past 10 years. His life was saved since he quickly received treatment. Whatever they did must have been quite dangerous.)

(If even one thing went wrong, Renga would have….)

(Died.)

—I don't want to die. I don't want to die just yet.

……

…Young master, is everything alright? Your complexion does not look well.

….I'm fine. Continue.

Understood.

Given the current situation, the event itself may be in danger. What do you intend to do, Mr. President?

…You're right, Sakujiro.

However, the police are also involved in this event so I'm sure that there will be heightened security. Now that we've accepted the offer, I want to see it through to the end.

Understood. In that case, let us make sure everything goes perfectly.

(But… Renga might get hurt by a dog again, or worse, might have his life in danger…)

(I won't allow that. I've decided to protect him, after all.)

…It might be better for Renga to not participate in this event.