Track 5

Woof woof.

Woofwoof.

Woof woof!

Uuuu…

Woof?

(The police dog event and that big job are overlapping… What should I do?)

(I've got nothing. No matter what I say to my manager, he won't listen either. I guess it's because I'm an idiot.)

(At times like this, Kafka would always help me. But even he's against me doing both…)

…Should I ask Liguang instead?

(That guy's always saying something decisive and settling matters like this… but he might say "what a foolish thing to ask" and make fun of me…)

Woof…?

Woof! Woof!

Woof!

…Must be nice, you're all getting along.

Riiight. They hit it off faster than I thought.

Hey, Ten. How can I participate in the event too? You're pretty smart, right? Do you have any ideas?

…Nah, you landed quite the gig, right? Shouldn't you go for that instead? You can play with the dogs here at the dorm 'nyways.

N-not you too…!

Uuu… as a celebrity, I should do that, but…

(I asked Yukikaze for advice earlier too—)

……

………..

……………

…I'll brew some tea first. Perhaps taking a break will spark some good ideas.

(But I'd feel bad taking up anymore of Yukikaze's time… Yesterday the chief seemed busy, so I haven't been able to ask him yet either…)

*whine…?*

*whine….*

(The dogs are worried about another dog, fuckin' hilarious.)

Leo, Mile. It's time for practice!

…Hah?! I-I'll go too!

No need, Renga. You should take it easy. I'll handle the performance with Leo.

It… it's not set in stone yet. I've asked them to put the job on hold for now!

…Really. You're throwing away such a big opportunity. I guess that's how far your pride as an entertainer goes.

Uu…!

W-whatever, let's go, Leo! You too Mile… let's do our best at practice!

*whine…*

(I'll participate in the police dog event, no matter what.)

(Because… I…)

Woof!

You want to try the frisbee trick too, Mile? …Did watching the other dogs do it inspire you?

K-Kafka. I uhm, you see I…

Alright then, let's give it a try. Let's go, Mile!

(He ignored me?!)

(No matter what, I will–)

Going on walks is a lot of fun~ Isn't it, Shumai, Mile! The weather's pretty nice today too. Where should we go…

Y-yo! What a coincidence, are you three going for a walk? Leo and I are also—

Wanna go to the park? How about we go for a little run there!

Woof! / Woof woof!

WHA?!

(—I will participate in the police dog event. Because, there's something I want—!)

…That concludes our meeting with the police department. Good work, everyone!

Good work today. Alright, time for a break.

U-uhm…. Kafka. About the job that's overlapping with the police dog event—

No matter how many times you ask me, I have nothing else to say. Your celebrity activities are your responsibility, not mine.

Uu…

…I'm going to get some fresh air.

Ah, Renga-kun…..

(Things have been weird between Kafka and Renga-kun lately… They've been so awkward with each other. Or well, it's more like Kafka's deliberately not listening to what Renga-kun has to say…)

I'm also going to take my break outside. I'll be back later!

…Kafka. Should I steam some shumai tonight?

What? That came out of nowhere.

I was thinking that we should all eat something warm together. We haven't had the time to have dinner as a group recently.

And how about you have a proper talk with Renga too? I'm sure my two younger brothers have a lot to talk about. I'll watch over you both as well.

…*sigh*. I don't need that sorta thing right now.

…I see. So you're the one who gave that job to that idiot.

The benefits far outweigh the downsides, but… aren't you going too far?

…No comment.

Hm? What do you mean? I thought Kafka was just sulking?

You don't need to know, Yukikaze.

Renga-san's no match for Prez, don't you feel kinda bad for him?

(It's pretty entertaining to watch though.)

I wasn't involved with that in the first place. You guys should go and take your break while you can too. Things are only going to get busier from here.

(I…)

(I believe that this is for Renga's sake above all.)

Renga-kun! There you are.

Chief…

…I think Kafka hates me now.

Huh…?!

He won't listen to me at all. I wonder if I'm being too selfish…

(I guess it's true that Kafka's been ignoring Renga-kun lately, so of course he's going to be worried… but, I don't think that Kafka hates him.)

I… want to participate in the event, no matter what! Because… because I—!

It's okay Renga-kun, calm down. Can you.. share your thoughts with me?

…Yeah.

Kafka… always invites me to join him for Shumai's walks.

We've even gone shopping for Shumai's stuff together….

It's… not only 'cuz of Shumai. Since we're both dog lovers, we've always gotten along.

…Yeah.

Kafka is a really smart and amazing guy, right? The truth is that, an idiot like me shouldn't even be near him—

But he let me continue my work as a ward mayor… and has always been so supportive of me. I can't thank him enough.

I'm the leader of the morning team, but the reason why R1ze continues to succeed, even with someone like me, is all because of Kafka.

That's why I want to help Kafka too, even if it's only a little bit. I want to become even better friends with him!

I thought that… as fellow dog lovers, Kafka and I could get to know each other better, and maybe even get closer at this event…

…There's something I really want.

Something you want?

…I want to make the same memories as Kafka…

(...same memories?)

…You see, there are times where I wonder if everything I've ever believed in were lies.

Huh…

Even though I've lived my whole life believing in those things… if they all turned out to be lies, then maybe the way I've been living my life was wrong.

("The way I've been living my life"... Is he… talking about everything with Kiba-san?)

But, if you've got memories… then you can look back on those, and start believing again.

Even if I'll have to leave this place someday, if I make lots of memories, then I…

(Can live on.)

(There are times where I really don't want to leave everyone, but…)

(I'm sure that's no good… which is why I at least want to have lots of memories…)

('Leave this place'… he's got to be talking about Kiba-san.)

…Uhm, Renga-kun. Please don't worry so much.

This whole thing… it's Kafka we're talking about, so I'm sure there's a reason why he's doing this. I'll try to talk to him too.

But, let me tell you this…. There's no way Kafka hates you.

You… think so?

Yeah! After all, Kafka always looks like he's having so much fun when he's with you.

When he sees you and Shumai getting along, Kafka… has such a happy look in his eyes.

…Really?

I know Kafka the best, so I'm sure of it! He may not look like it, but Kafka's pretty easy to read.

It'll be okay. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you!

…Chief.

...Thank you, Chief. I'll try… to have a proper conversation with Kafka again.

I'll tell him how I feel… head-on!