Track 3

*sniffs* You're amazing, Arthur. …You’re hurting too, but you’re still putting everyone else first… *sniffs* …You’re such a good boy… Such a good boy…!

(The dog is completely hooked on dog videos... He’s been watching them nonstop since dinner.)

Wow… Police dogs really are something…! Hey, Kafka! Wanna watch this with me?

Check this out! A police dog found someone who was lost in the mountains for over 10 hours! That’s so amazing!

And this…! A road collapsed in the city, and a tiny dog like Mile saved the day and rescued everyone. Don’t you think that’s awesome!?

… Yeah. You're right.

(Hm? Prez seems off today. Usually, the second that dog says something to him, he starts doting on him.)

(How can I keep Renga away from the event without making a fuss…? What's the best way to handle this?)

(Am I going too far by excluding him? But… I really don't want him to be in danger.)

(I know I’m letting my emotions get the best of me, but—)

Kafka…?

*whimpers*

Huh, Shumai? What's wrong?

Maybe he’s jealous ‘cause you’re watching other dogs right in front of him? Poor thing, not getting any attention.

Rrrrff! Woof!

Haha. What if Prez starts praising other dogs, too? That’ll really set him off, won’t it?

Wh–...! S-Sorry, Shumai! That's not what I…!

Hrmph!

S-Shumai~!!

Ahaha… He was like this the other day, too, after we came back from meeting the police dogs. He must have picked up on their scent.

We’d better get this settled before they come to stay over.

Kafka, Liguang just returned.

… Did he? Thanks.

Looks like work wasn’t too demanding for him today. This big brother is glad he came home early.

Liguang isn’t your little brother, though.

I’ll brew some tea to help him unwind. Would you like a cup, too? Just say the word if you’d like some honey in yours.

No, I’m good…

Kafka, do you need something from Liguang?

I just have a few things to discuss with him, so I asked Yukikaze to tell me when he got back.

Oh, I-I see. Want me to go with you? He… is... k-k-kind, but… he can also be a bit mean sometimes, y’know...

Haha. That's only when it comes to you, Renga. Anyway, I’ll be back in a bit.

......

… I see. So you received the intel about the crime syndicate that uses dogs too.

That's right. We were notified the moment they set foot in HAMA.

They've been causing trouble in other locations over the past few years, but apparently HAMA was their base of operations around a decade ago.

Humans are free to commit whatever sins they please, but… using guiltless animals to serve their wickedness is inexcusable.

They need to be taught a lesson they’ll never forget. Something that ensures they’ll never dare try this again.

I feel the same way.

However, the Lurong family can't get involved openly.

May I ask why? At least, what you can tell me.

The timing is unfavorable.

They’re backed by one of our family’s enemies. Moreover, much of our current manpower is tied up in a dispute involving one of our western affiliates at the moment.

The dog handlers themselves aren’t the real problem here. They’re merely pawns. But if our group were to make a move, the people backing them could take this as an opportunity to step in themselves.

I see. So you guys can't really get officially involved.

Correct. On the other hand, if I intervene as a ward mayor, no one can question it.

Admittedly, it works to my advantage if that group causes an incident during the event. That way, I can settle things myself.

They make use of such underhanded tricks, but the organization itself poses no real threat. Between ourselves and the police, we can purge them completely this time.

......

… So. What exact purpose did you have in discussing this with me?

… I’m thinking of keeping Renga away from this job.

… Why?

I found out that he was caught up in one of that organization’s crimes a long time ago. He was badly hurt… and nearly died.

I don't want Renga to be hurt for the same reason ever again.

……

(As far as I’m concerned, those of you with no ties to the underworld are better off not getting involved at all...)

Are you suggesting that you and Kamina getting caught in the crossfire is acceptable, then?

I’m quick on my feet, and Yukikaze's an athlete with a strong physique, so he can take care of himself. And as for Ten… You know firsthand just how resilient he can be, don’t you?

Indeed. Which is precisely why what you’re saying doesn’t add up to me. That idiot’s physical capabilities are decent enough.

But Renga is too kind-hearted. I don’t want him to witness another crime involving dogs and end up getting hurt because of it.

What about you, Liguang? Do you want to see Renga get hurt?

......

He’s not as weak as you think he is.

I know that, but…!

Oguro. Since when did you become so overprotective of him? You’re taking this too far.

……

… Fine.

Don't dwell on this too much. Just conduct yourself as you normally would. I already told you, they're not much of a threat.

… Got it. So you’re staying out of anything concerning Renga. Well, I only wanted to know what the Lurong family’s plans were in the first place. I’ll handle this my own way.

Hey.

… We'll stay out of each other’s way. It’s all fine as long as our interests don’t conflict, right?

… Suit yourself. As long as I can punish them, it makes no difference to me.

Welcome back, Kafka!

Wooof~

 … I’m back, Renga. Have you and Shumai made up already?

Yeah! I explained everything and said I was sorry. He cheered right up!

(Renga and Shumai… They both look so happy. Seeing them like that always warms my heart.) 

(I really don't want Renga to get hurt. I… don't want Renga to ever come to hate dogs.)

Man, Shumai really does understand what we’re saying, doesn’t he?

Of course. Shumai’s a genius, after all.

I think I first realized that back when I was a kid.

When you were a kid?

Yeah. It’s a story from when we first took Shumai in. I was still at the hospital then—

Kaede-chan already went home.

Woof...

I want to go outside, too.

I'm sick of being stuck in the hospital. I want to go to school… and walk wherever I want by myself.

*whimpers*...

Hey, Shumai... Kaede-chan’s the most important person in the world to me.

That’ll never change. I’m happy as long as I'm with him.

But... that's different. Do you think I'll ever have friends too?

Woof! Woof woof, woof!!

I think Shumai… understood how I felt. He never left my side the entire time, almost like he was trying to cheer me up.

Even during those medical examinations that would take all day, he'd stay right there beside me.

Shumai… has always been there for me.

… So that’s how it was.

… There was a stray dog ​​that stayed by my side when I was little, too. When he left me, I felt so lonely…

If I hadn't met Kiba after that… I probably would’ve….

…….

Renga…

B-But you’re not alone anymore, Kafka! You’ve got the ward mayors, and the conductors… You’ve got so many people by your side now!

Yeah. I even have a walking buddy like you, Renga.

…! R-Right! I-I'm... um... really happy that I get to be your walking buddy too, Kafka...!

Hehe. You’re so cute, Renga.

Y-You’re calling me cute again…! W-Well… you're smart, and you’ve got a cute face too… y-you're amazing!

......

… I mean, you also had it rough when you were little, right?

… Yeah. When I was a kid, there was a time I thought I wasn’t going to make it.

Ever since then, I've been afraid of death. And because of that, I’ve come to want to live.

(I want to live… to keep living… to fulfill my promise. I want to leave something behind… and I want to travel.)

… When I got bitten by that dog... I just thought it’d be fine if I died. But you were able to find a reason to keep living.

It's because I met someone precious to me, I think.

 (... Because I met Kaede–chan.)

… I see.

I didn't have anyone important to me back then. Maybe that's why I thought it’d be okay if I died.

We went through similar things… but I was in a back alley, and you were in a hospital. The two of us were in different places, and thinking completely different things, too.

And yet you found someone important to you way before I ever did! That's why… I-I-I really admire you!

… Hehe. Thank you, Renga.

(The worlds we grew up in were completely different. There's nothing stopping me from hurting Renga without meaning to. That's exactly why...)

(... There are things I can only do right now.)