Track 4

We've got the hurdles and hula hoops for the performance, everyday necessities, and their favorite dog food…

Alright, that's all the luggage!

Oh my, I'm so sorry that you had to carry everything because of my back problems..

It's no problem. You should take care of your back. Lower back pain in particular can become a recurring problem, so please don't push yourself.

Daniel-san also had a back injury, seems like quite the nuisance yea?

Please excuse me. Being pulled along by the dogs is still fine since I've trained for it, but well... let's leave it at that.

Alright then, I have to get going now. I'll be leaving these puppies with you, so please take care of them.

It's our pleasure. We'll be sure to take good care of our important colleagues.

Leo, Totomaru, Shingen, Ace, Mile! It's good to see you all again…! I'm glad that everyone's doing well!

(Ugh. Dealing with dogs again.)

…I believe that the plan was to keep each of our police dogs in our respective rooms. And that we'll be conducting our training for the performance in the backyard. Am I correct?

Yes. Some of our younger brothers don't do well with such commotion. So the dogs will not be allowed to roam freely outside of the R1ze members' rooms and the backyard.

There are rabbits in Liguang-san and Yuki-nii's room though, is it okay for the dogs to be in there too?

It's no problem. I've asked Sojun to take care of them for the time being, so they're at my family home.

That's good to hear…! I've gotta thank Sojun-san for helping out later.

…Looks like Shumai will be staying in the same room as Leo, Totomaru, and Mile.

It's gonna get pretty crowded. Will Shumai be okay?

He's the jealous type, isn't he?¹

It'll be fine. I already talked to him about it.

Shumai, come here for a bit. I have something important to tell you.

Woof?

You see, we have a big job coming up. Some puppies who work with the police will be staying here as our house guests.

…Woof.

I believe that you should be able to get along with these puppies. What do you say?

…..

—Woof! woof!

…Is that so. That's a rather direct approach for you.

Shumai's a smart one, so everything worked out once I talked to him.

M-Me too! I'm sure that if it's Shumai, he'll be able to get along with Leo and the others just fine!

Let's practice a bunch, and make sure the event goes on without a hitch! Leo!

Woof!

……….

Now, then. Let me give everyone a tour of HAMA House, where you'll all be staying for the next few days.

Guuu… Mr. President, are you really going to leave these damn dogs here…?

It's already been decided.

They're messing up my turf…. Just cuz they're kinda cute, those evil gang dogs….

Okay okay. We'll make sure that they don't go to the 4th floor, where you live. Plus, it might be better for everyone if you kept your distance from each other. Just make sure you do your chores.

Yyyess… I'll do my best to do everything except care for the dogs…. I still want my salary, so… this is fine…

Alright, follow me. There are some people who want to meet you, so let me introduce you to them!

Police Dogs

Woof!

WOAAHH! THEY'RE HERE THEY'RE HERE THEY'RE HEEREE! THE POLICE DOGS JOIN THE PARTYYYY!!!

This reminds me of that movie with the dog as the main character!! As the intergalactic film director, I'm getting hit with a beam of inspirationnn~~!!

S-sho adorbs~~!! So fwuffy and soft! Their eyes are so sparkly and totes cute!!!

Fwaaahh! Just watching them walk around brings a smile to my face!

*sniff*

Even a small dog like you can be a police dog…! You're doing amazing things. Good boy, good boy.

So we have a Doberman, a German Shepherd, and…

Totomaru's a Kai Ken.

Kai Ken!! That really gives off that police dog vibe, right~ Wooow, so coool! Nice to meetcha, doggies!

Siberian Huskies FR have the most heart warming smiles, don't they? Big thanksies for taking a selfie with me, Shingen!

Ahaha, looks like everyone's made friends really quickly…

Since they're introducing themselves, how about we show off what Kosaka-san taught us during our training session?

…Alright, Mile. This handkerchief belongs to someone here. Can you sniff it and guess who the owner is?

*sniff sniff…* Woof!

Woah, amaziiing, you got it right~!! Mhm, this hanky belongs to none other than Chii ♪

He got it on the first try…! I wonder if Mile also knows that Chii-sama is an invincible idol just from his scent?

Ah…! Everyone's here. Looks like things are going well, Kafka.

Chief-chan. Shumai's here too.

Woof… woof.

(Looks like Kafka really did talk to Shumai about this… Normally, he'd be barking at these strangers, but now he's just watching them quietly.)

Now, Leo! After you've jumped over the hurdles, you've gotta catch the frisbee. Got it? —Let's go!

He's started running, it's challenger Leo! He's fast! Too fast! He leaps over the hurdles without even breaking a sweat, and does a dynamic jump…

AH?!

Oh no! Renga-san's frisbee has taken a sharp turn, but…

Woof!

He catches it!! It's another clear victory~~!! Challenger Leo wins the gold medal!!!

Great job, Leo!

Hmph… How about that, Liguang! Me and Leo's teamwork!

You're lucky that Leo is so talented.

W-what did you just say?! Well, it's true that Leo's talented but!

Well, guess we'll get this done too.

Hmph, I'll watch from right here.

(Yachiyo-kun, you're so far away…)

'Kay, Totomaru. Hula hoop.

…..

Waah, he went through the hula hoop in no time…! Totomaru is really talented too!

The way he does it so effortlessly, with a straight face… Ten, you and Totomaru are quite alike.

You two are a good match. It warms my heart to see.

…Uh, comparing me to a dog is kinda…

Ah! You're right… They've both got black hair, expressions that won't tell what they're thinking at all, and really unmotivated demeanors! You two are spitting images of each other, Ten-kun!

Aha. So you're just naturally rude.

You haven't had that much time to practice yet, but you're already in perfect sync with each other… That's amazing. I can't wait for the actual performance, Kafka!

…Yeah.

Chief-chan. On the day of the event, stay close to the police as much as you can. Please don't move around too much.

Eh, why though?

…Is something wrong? Your face is all gloomy.

…No. Lots of people will be there, so I don't want our chief to get lost is all.

Well, no matter how many people are there, I'm sure that I can find you right away.

Ahaha, what are you even talking about Kafka? But it is true that it'll probably get crowded that day, so I'll make sure not to get separated from everyone.

...Yeah. Promise me, okay?

…? Okay. I promise.

Alright then, let's get back to practice! Mile, how about we do the next trick?

"...You called me out of the blue, so I was wondering what was going on. To think that you'd ask me to double-book a job for him…"

…The offer's already been secured. Once I give the go-signal, it'll fly.

"About this offer, where exactly did it come from…"

The long-established manufacturer of—

"What?! From that major company?! And the offer is a series of commercials, right?! If this goes well, it could go on to be a multi-year contract…"

Right. If you accept the offer, they said that they'd be glad to continue working with Renga in the future.

"I truly appreciate it! I would take the offer in a heartbeat, but…"

"Renga-san has really been looking forward to this police dog event. Even during his breaktimes on set, he talks about it non-stop…"

…I am aware of that. However. Renga might be in danger, so I absolutely want to stop him from participating in this event.

I'm sure that as his manager, you wouldn't want him to get hurt either. Right?

"...Of course I don't, but…"

On that day, I want to get Renga out of HAMA no matter what. So… please. Hear me out.

"...I understand. Okay, I'll schedule it in… and contact Renga-san about it.

……

(...Sorry, Renga. But I've already made up my mind.)

Kafka! Ten! Listen to this!!

What's up, Renga?

I just got a call from my manager! Apparently I've got a big job lined up! I landed a commercial for that product line everyone knows.

Wow, good for you. How much do you usually get paid for that kinda thing?

M-my salary is a secret. But, the day of the shoot… it overlaps with the police dog event. My manager said that we couldn't reschedule…

I tried really hard to think of what to do, but I couldn't come up with anything…

Don't you think there's a way around this, Kafka? You're really smart, so I thought maybe you could think of something and convince my manager to let me do both…

…but isn't this a big opportunity for you?

Yeah, it is. That's why…!

I'll explain the situation to the event organizers. So you should go and do your work, Renga.

…Huh? W-why are you saying that! I came to you for help because I want to do both…

Up 'til now, you always said that if my ward mayor work was the prior commitment, then that's what takes priority. You've even spoken to my manager directly about stuff like this, right?

That's true, but that's because those projects weren't as big as this. There was still room to move around your schedule. This time, I think you should prioritize your showbiz activities.

…B-but, there are no talents besides me appearing, and it's going to be filmed indoors. Normally this type of shoot should allow for some adjustments.

This police dog event is a one-time thing. The commercial job is for a product-line series, so you might be offered a multi-year contract right? You should do it properly, for your own sake.

……….

(My my… this isn't like Prez at all.)

B-but, I… I-I love dogs, so I really want to join this event. Kafka, you of all people must get that right?

Renga, you're an adult now too, aren't you?

The main focus of the police dog event is me. The other R1ze members are also participating. It'll be fine even if you can't join this time.

You need to think about what's best for you and act accordingly.

I-I mean, of course making money is important, but I…!

Besides, you can still see Leo and the others here in the dorm. Since your manager has taken this on for you, shouldn't you take responsibility and work on that job?

Wha… w-what's gotten into you, Kafka! You'd always help me out with stuff like this…

Nothing's gotten into me. I'm just telling you my honest opinion.

Kh....!

I-I'm definitely not giving up! I'm going to participate in the police dog event! No matter what!!

Oh my~ …Did you two just have a fight? That's unusual.

Actually, what happened just now. Prez was being kinda unreasonable. Right, Shumai?

Woof!!

…..

(...Is this 'cuz of that? Did Prez find out 'bout that org using dogs?)

(I see now. He wants to protect the dog from other dogs. Hillarious.)

(...No matter what anyone else says. What I'm doing… isn't wrong.)