Track 2

(Today's our first training session with the police dogs…! I can't even imagine what will happen in this event, so I’m looking forward to it…!)

……, ……, ……

(Renga-kun has been restless all morning. Hehe, he must be really looking forward to this. He was even watching some videos about police dogs yesterday.)

Tch. You fidget more than a dog. Stop squirming around in my peripheral vision.

W-Who are you calling fidgety? I'm standing perfectly still over here!

… Just as loud, too.

Nothing wrong with that. Dogs always get restless when they run into other dogs, don’t they?

H-Hey, now. It just shows how enthusiastic Renga-kun is about this job!

You must be excited to see what kind of dogs we’ll get to meet, Renga.

Y-Yeah..!

… I never thought I’d be joining in toooo…

You’re the morning team’s conductor, Yachiyo—of course you’re included.

Th-That’s so meaaan…! I can’t stand those damn mutts in the first place… My heart’s made of glass… Even Shumai scares meee…!

It's okay, Yachiyo-kun. Police dogs are well-trained. You don't have to be scared.

... Oh, someone’s coming.

Eek! Th-Th-The dogs are coming here…! Bossman! Please protect meeeee…!

… gh. Fuefuki, don't come near me.

Haha. In Liguang-san's eyes Yachiyo-san's scarier than any dog.

T-That old man… Is he the police dog trainer?

Wait, doesn't it look like that guy's getting dragged by those dogs? They’re coming this way like a dogsled at full-speed.

Oh… What incredible core strength. He isn’t losing balance at all, even as the dogs drag him along.

Maybe the doggies walking that person—I mean, the doggies that person is walking—are meant to be our partners?

I’m invisible. I’m just air. I’m oxygen…

Alright, stop, stoooop…! Whew… Hello there! I’m Kosaka, the dogs’ trainer.

My back’s been acting up since this morning, so getting ready took me a bit longer than expected… I’m truly sorry I kept you folks waiting!

Thank you so much for accepting our station’s request.

Why of course. In fact, it is our honor that you reached out to us.

G-Glad to be working with you today!

Yes, I look forward to working with you all.

(I was wondering what kind of person a police dog trainer would be, but Kosaka-san seems like a really calm and kind person!)

Well then, let’s start by introducing the little ones participating in this event, shall we? They’re all very good boys, so please get along with them.

… Get along…with…dogs…? That’s impossible… No way, no way, no way!!!

... Ruff!

Eeeeeeek!!! He’s wagging his tail and charging straight at me! He’s gonna eat meeeee! H-Heeelp!!!

Stay.

Fuweeh?

H-He stopped…?

Leo, come over here.

Ooh—he went back and sat down all nicely. How well-behaved.

(Guess dogs really do need proper training, huh...)

… Kosaka, is it? He seems to be a capable trainer.

Right?

My apologies, these little ones have been so excited to meet you all that they’ve been running circles since yesterday.

Well then, let's start. First—

This German shepherd here is Leo. He’s a bit mischievous and goes at his own pace most of the time, but he’s a real sweet boy. He will be partnering with you, Nishizono-san.

…! N-Nice to meet you, Leo!

Ruff!

… What a cool dog…! There was a German shepherd in WanPara¹, too. I've always admired  them. I-I'm so happy I get to be his partner…!

Next up is Totomaru, a Kai Ken. He’s the fastest and smartest of the bunch, but he’s quite the old soul. I don't think he'll cause any trouble.

Murakumo-san, please take care of him.

......

(Wait, what does a dog being an “old soul” even mean?  Well, as long as it’s not a hassle to deal with.)

And here is Shingen, a Siberian husky. He's a real sweetheart who loves people. I’m thinking of asking Kamina-san to take care of him.

Of course, leave him to me. …You’ve got such a nice coat of fur, Shingen. Your tongue’s nice and pink, too—the very picture of health.

*pant pant*

Then, we have our Doberman, Ace, for Lu-san. He’s a very hardworking boy, but he’s a little skittish and hates water, so please keep that in mind.

Understood.

*whimpers*

And finally, Mile the beagle. He's a brave and curious little fella. As for who’s in charge of him—

It’s me, right? Nice to meet you, Mile!

Arf!

Since they’re going to be staying at HAMA House for the next few days… Why don’t we save the training for after you’ve bonded with them?

Once you’ve gotten acquainted, I'll teach you a few tips and tricks. That way—

(Hm? Kosaka-san’s voice is gradually sinking lower and lower. And… why is his gaze… becoming much sharper…?)

—You'll be able to charge straight into an investigation, slam vicious criminals to the ground, and teach them a lesson with overwhelming power… yes?

Eeeek! This guy’s eyes are scary! Help meeeeee Mr. Policeman!, please heeelp!

Uh, Yachiyo… He’s the police.

Alright then, that’s all for today. For now, just spend plenty of time playing with them!

(He snapped back into a gentle old man in an instant…! I-is this what dog trainers are like...!?)

I can read your face like it's an open book, Chief-chan. I don’t think that’s the case, though. He’s probably just an extra weird guy.

Huff huff... huff......

There, there. You’re such a good boy, Shingen.

He's already rolling over and asking for pets…! That's Yuki-nii for you Shingen looks so happy you're petting him.

I used to pat your head like this quite a bit in the past. Whenever you finished an exam, or had two extra helpings of rice during meals.

You’ve been working just as hard lately, so could I pat your head, just like the old days?

Huh? N-No... I haven't done anything that impressive today.

Just living and breathing is something to be proud of. Now, come here.

Hey, you over there! Back off, back off, back off, back off! Excessive physical interaction with Chief-chan is prohibited!

Ah... Kafka, did you want headpats, too? Sorry, I didn't realize. Rest assured, I have two hands.

“I have two hands”—that’s not the point here! Why does every conversation with you always turn out like this?

Arf!

See? Mile doesn't like it either.

Hehe, I bet you also want some pats, don’t you, Mile? There you go…

Even though you’re smaller than the others, you still give your all as a police dog. That’s amazing…!

Kosaka-san told me about it. That Mile mainly helps with search-and-rescue using his keen sense of smell.

And thanks to his small size, he can also squeeze into tight spaces during search operations. He’s been commended many times for his work.

If we’re talking about achievements, Shingen has apparently saved lives on multiple occasions, too.

You’re all such good dogs! Who’s a good boy? You are, Shingen! You are, Mile~!

Arf arf!

(Mile and Shingen have Chief-chan all to themselves… getting petted and fussed over nonstop…)

… No fair. I want headpats, too. 

Ah! My big-brother senses are tingling. I think you do need a head pat, Kafka.

Seriously, how did you even reach that conclusion? Absolutely not!

…*Sigh*. Dogs are scary, but I could watch this forever~!

Alright, one more time, Ace.

Over the hurdle, then back.

Ruff!

(Bossman is sooooo natural at commanding others…! Even that mutt can sense he’s the alpha of the paaaack!)

A gaze of unwavering obedience… Boss’ dignified presence…!

Excellent jump, Ace. Your daily training is paying off.

Come here, let me give you a gentle pat.

AAAAHHHH! I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMOREEE!!!

Bossman! If I jump over a hurdle, will you pet me with those big hands, toooo!?

Okay~ Leo. Go… fetch this ball!

Ruff! Ruff!

Wow, you brought it right back! Amazing~! You're such a smart boy~!

Ruff!

Ahaha, stop licking my face. That tickles!

(That dog I used to hang out with in the back alleys… I’m pretty sure he was a German shepherd, too. He’d always lick my face and snuggle up to me like this.)

(Man, that brings back memories… I wonder how he’s doing.)

Leo’s really taken a liking to you, Renga-san~. Maybe he’s sensing some kind of kinship? Y'know, like how dogs just naturally click with each other.

Kinship…? I don't really get it, but I’m really happy he's friendly with me!

(Hilarious. The sarcasm totally flew over his head.) 

By the way, where's Totomaru?

Over there.

......

Huh, all the way in the corner…? W-Wait, Ten… You’re not getting along with Totomaru?

No? Heeey, Totomaru~

......

(...! He actually came over! And look, he sat right beside Ten without even being told…)

Wow, so you guys really do—

......

... get along?

Ruff?

Yeah, he's a little deadpan, but he does what I tell him to. That works for us, right?

......

(This distance feels just right. Not heavy at all. Just how I like it.)

Well… Well, well, well, well...!

... Huh? Is the one approaching us… Sakujiro-san?

My, oh my! What a magnificent gathering of adorable doggies we have here!

A German shepherd, a Kai Ken, a Siberian husky, a Doberman, and a beagle—

Every single one of them is sharp, radiant with health, and blessed with such wonderfully fluffy coats! You can tell without a doubt how deeply loved they are!

You can tell how healthy they are at a single glance? I'd expect nothing less from Sakujiro-san.

Is something wrong, Sakujiro? I thought you were supposed to have a meeting at the office today…

That wrapped up without a hitch. Everything is proceeding swimmingly, and everyone is working as zealously as ever.

However, President… I have an urgent matter I must report to you. If possible… In private.

… I see. Shall we take this elsewhere?

Is that true, Sakujiro?

Yes. We have received information that a certain crime syndicate has been using dogs to carry out crimes across various locations.

This same group is planning to use R1ze’s police dog event as a cover to commit an unforgivable atrocity.

It appears their dogs have already injured several people—and had things taken a turn for the worse, there could easily have been fatalities.

...!

Upon further investigation, it appears this group was also involved in an incident right here in HAMA. It occurred about a decade ago.

We found records of a disturbance in the area around the brick warehouse.

…! Hold on, can you show me those documents?

(The sequence of events…)

(There’s no doubt about it—these are the same people who hurt Renga when he was a child.)

(Over the past decade, multiple people have been critically injured because of them. They only survived because they received immediate treatment. …Renga really was in a life-threatening situation.)

(If even one thing had gone differently, Renga's life…)

(... would’ve been lost.)

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

......

… Young master. Are you alright? You're quite pale.

… I’m fine. Please, continue.

Understood.

Given the situation, the event itself may no longer be safe to hold. What do you intend to do next, President?

… You’re right, Sakujiro.

But the police must already be aware of this threat. They’ll definitely have tight security in place. Besides, since we took this job, it would only be right for us to see it through.

Understood. In that case, allow this humble Saku to ensure everything proceeds smoothly.

(But… if Renga gets hurt by those dogs again… if he ever finds himself at death’s door once more— )

(I won’t allow that. I have to protect him this time.)

… Given the circumstances, it might be best to not have Renga participate at all.