Track 6

(It's past dinner time, so Kafka should be taking it easy by now… Ah, there he is!)

(Alright. I'll try talking to him about Renga-kun's worries.)

Kafka! Do you have a sec?

What's wrong, Chief-chan.

About Renga-kun…

…Stop. So now you're on me about this too? If it's about Renga's work again, then I've got nothing to say.

Huh? W-wait up, Kafka!

You've been acting so weird lately. Why won't you at least listen to what Renga-kun has to say? This isn't like you at all.

…Whether it's "like me" or not is besides the point. I'm not changing my mind on this, even for you.

Why does everyone keep bugging me about Renga's work in the first place? Renga's celebrity activities have nothing to do with me.

T-that's true, but—whenever those and his work as a ward mayor would overlap, you'd always give him advice on how to do both right?

Only when that was for the best. This time, the best choice is for him to—

Renga-kun said he wants to make memories with you, and for you to become better friends. Can you really not help him this time?

………..

(It's precisely because Renga thinks stuff like that, that I don't want him to get hurt…)

Oi, Kafka! What the hell is this…!

…What are you going on about now?

……! I found out from my manager! He said that YOU ordered them to schedule the event and the shoot to overlap…!!

What…?!

…..

Why can't we reschedule?! Isn't it protocol to have a back-up shoot day just in case?

If the back-up day's schedule clashes with something else, then I'll do something about it! I know I'll be fine. No matter how crazy the travelling or the schedule will be, I'll do whatever it takes! So please…!

*Sigh*… I'm telling you, we really can't, Renga-san. The Ward 0 Mayor made it so that— Ah?!

…*sigh.* So your manager let it slip, huh. Well, I guess it was bound to happen when he had someone bugging him over and over again.

If you know now, that's fine.

…What?! What do you…!

I was never going to let you participate in this event from the very beginning. So just behave yourself, Renga.

Kafka…?! W-why would you do that?

"F-from the very beginning"… Do you really think I'd just back down without even knowing why?!

And… you were so happy that I could join in….

…At that time, it was just a normal event. But the circumstances have changed.

…Circumstances?

The event is dangerous now.

A criminal organization is planning to attack during the event. If a famous celebrity like you got involved and the problem escalates, HAMA's reputation will suffer right?

That's why I don't want you to participate. It's my responsibility as the mayor for Ward 0.

Huh… what… the hell is up with that.

That.. doesn't make any sense. I'm not the only one who could get hurt. A-are you saying that it's fine if you get caught up in all that?!

…..

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense! I don't want you… or the Chief, or anyone else to be in danger!!

I…I'll join the event after all. If that group is really planning to do something bad at the event… then I want to stop them, too!

I'm worried about you guys, so I have to…!

I'm going to turn down the offer.

…Why are you being so selfish–

Who are you calling selfish!! Y-you… Kafka, you dumbass!!!¹

Dumbass...?! The real dumbass here is you, Renga…!!!

Kafka…! You can't be doing this. You're acting like a tyrant…!

…..! …from you.

…Kafka?

I don't want to hear that from you… Because I'm…! I'm doing everything I can to compromise, especially when it comes to you!

…Huh?

If that were true! Then I'd want to tie you down, too! Just so that you wouldn't be in any danger!!

…!

…Damn it. I didn't mean to say all that….

…If I did something like that, then I'm sure you'd hate me. That's why I don't…..

Let's end this here.

Kafka…..

(Kafka is being so stubborn… Why on earth is he doing this…?)

Oh my, we're so lucky to have great weather today. I'm sure the clear skies will have those puppies performing at full force too.

Once again, let's all do our best today, everyone.

Y-Yes. Likewise.

……..

(Oh boy. They're both sulking.)

(...Kafka hasn't even looked me in the eye since then.)

(Maybe he really does hate me? I went against his orders and came along. I-I even called him a dumbass…)

(But Kafka's being so mean! Deciding what's dangerous or not all by himself…)

(...But that job offer was so good, so maybe he wasn't trying to be mean? But still…!)

…Kafka. It's almost time for you to head out. The preliminary meeting is going to start soon…

Mm… I'll get going.

…The chief and my younger brothers all seem down today. I'm quite worried.

Could it be that… everyone's nervous about the event? Perhaps I should have slept next to everyone yesterday.

………

Haha, Kamina-san's the same as always huh. Hard to tell if he's dense or not. –Right? Liguang-san.

Why are you talking to me?

Ehh? Aren't those small fry gonna cause trouble today? It's got nothing to do with us, but what about you?

If it's got nothing to do with you, then don't go around and yap about it, brat. Haven't you heard that curiosity kills the cat?

Don'tcha think me poking my nose around tends to be helpful tho? Like in Fukuoka, right?

…sigh.

(...Sakujiro-san told me earlier that a group of criminals that uses dogs might get involved with the event, but… looks like Kafka knew the whole time.)

(Kafka told me to "stay close to the police", that must be why.)

…Even so, being this stubborn isn't like Kafka at all…

…Chief. You seem to be spacing out, is everything okay? Did you also need me to sleep next to you last night? If you'd like, I can come to your room later and do so…

Yuki-nii. It's not that, I was just wondering why Kafka seems so worried.

…"So worried"?

Normally, Kafka doesn't say anything even if I'm a little reckless here and there…

(But if I were in his position, I wouldn't want Kafka to be in danger either… So I get how he feels.)

(I just hope that Renga-kun and Kafka can be friends again…)

…….

…….

Kafka. Is your meeting over?

…Well, yeah. What do you want? You also have work to do.

Yeah. However, I wanted to talk to you first.

Lately, things between you and Renga-kun haven't been going well, right? I was wondering if I could do anything to help.

You don't need to butt in.

You're right, I'm in no position to interfere. I just wanted to ask you something.

You would never hate Renga. Isn't thatright?

……..

…Then all is well.

I didn't even say anything.

No, I heard it. Your voice.

Hah?

The two of you are like… hm, yes. You are like two dogs playing together.

What. What are you trying to say? That us fighting is also communication?

Both you and Renga are good, honest boys. Even if things are a little complicated right now, time heals all wounds. So cheer up. I'm sure Renga loves you too.

…What's up with that? That's not… I'm not feeling down or anything.

And seriously, don't treat me like a dog. Actually, just stop pushing your assumptions onto me.

Everything's going to be okay. I'm always here for you. Your big brother knows that you're not avoiding Renga due to ill will.

…sigh. That's enough.

(...But he didn't blindly tell us to make up. Typical Yukikaze.)

Alright, let's get back to work. The main event is going to start soon.

Okaay~ Welcome everyone! We're now kicking off the HAMA Safety Week Event!

First off, HAMA Police Station's very own Deputy Chief Kinosaki-sama, will be presenting the certificate of appointment to this year's One Day Police Chief—HAMA Ward 0's mayor, Oguro Kafka-sama!

–HAMA Ward 0 mayor, Oguro Kafka-sama. I hereby appoint you as the One Day Police Chief of HAMA Police Station.

And now, we'll have the opening address from Chief Oguro!

My name is Oguro Kafka, and today I'll be acting as the One Day Police Chief.

As someone born and raised in HAMA, as well as the mayor for Ward 0, the safety of both the citizens and visitors in HAMA is my top priority.

I, alongside everyone working here today, and my fellow R1ze members, will do our best to make today's event a great success. So please support us until the very end!

Aaaaaaahhhh… young master! Your dignified demeanor is truly unmatched! As expected!!!!

The president in a dashing suit… and everyone else too… you're all so dazzling~...!

…Kafka is pretty cool, right Shumai?

Woof!

…..

(The chief is right. Kafka really is cool.)

I really didn't want to bring these kinds of feelings to the event, though…)

…What a gloomy expression. It's annoying.

W-what the heck, so rude…!

You went through the trouble of showing up here, so you ought to switch gears now. –What is your fundamental vow?²

Fundamental… vow…?

…It means your true wish.

What are you thinking of as you stand here? What did you think of when deciding to stand here? You even turned down that job just to come here, didn't you?

What am I thinking…?

(My wish… What I'm thinking is…)

(...the same as before.)