Track 4

Performance hurdles, hula hoops, all their usual supplies, and their favorite dog food…

Alright, that should be everything!

Oh dear, I'm sorry I had you do all the heavy lifting, just because my back’s been hurting.

It's no trouble at all. Your back is important. They say that a strained back is prone to reoccurring, so you shouldn't overdo it.

Daniel-san threw out his back that one time, too, right? Haha, that really gave him a rough time.

You’re too kind. Well, getting dragged around by the dogs is all part of the job, so I can handle that much, at least... but enough about me.

Leave them to us! We’ll take care of your precious companions.

Leo, Totomaru, Shingen, Ace, and Mile! It's great to see you guys again...! I'm glad you're all doing well!

(*Sigh*. Another job with dogs, huh?)

If I recall correctly, each of us will keep our assigned police dogs in our rooms, and we’ll use the backyard for training, correct?

Indeed. Some of my little brothers don’t do well with a lot of hustle and bustle. So unless they’re in our rooms or out in the garden, we ought to keep them on a leash.

What about the rabbits you and Liguang-san keep in your room, Yuki-nii? Is it really okay to have dogs there, too?

That shouldn't pose an issue. Sojun’s looking after them temporarily. I had him take them back to the family house.

That’s a relief…! I’ll have to thank Sojun-san properly.

… Looks like Shumai will be sharing a room with Leo, Totomaru, and Mile.

That’s gonna be quite the crowd. You sure you'll be okay, Shumai?

If you ask me, Shumai’s the heavy possessive type, y’know~

No need to worry. I already explained everything to Shumai.

Shumai, come here for a moment. I need to talk to you about something important.

Woof?

Starting today, some police dogs will be temporarily staying with us for an important job.

…! Woof…

I know for a fact that you can make friends with them, Shumai. How about it?

…….

—Woof! Wooof!

I see. That’s surprisingly straightforward coming from you.

Shumai’s a smart boy. As long as I explain things to him beforehand, he’ll understand.

M-Me too! I’m sure you’ll get along with Leo and the others, Shumai!

Let’s put in a lot of practice and make this event a success, Leo!

Ruff!

……

Well then. Since you’ll all be staying here for the time being, let me show you around HAMA House.

Grrr… President, you’re really letting these damned mutts stay here…!?

You know this has already been decided.

They’re gonna invade my turf…! Just because they’re kinda cute, they think they can get away with anything… Those lawless ruff-ians…

Alright, we get it. I’ll keep them away from the 4th floor, so you can keep your distance. Just don’t slack off on your work.

Yesss… I’ll do everything other than the dog stuff... ‘Cause I really want my paycheck…

Come on, follow me. There are some people who’ve been wanting to meet you all. I’ll introduce you!

Woof!

Uwoaahhh! They're here, they're hereee!!! Everybody, give it up for our honored police dogs~!!! 

A movie starring a dog as a lead… OH! I can see the vision already! This future intergalactic film director's overflowing with inspiration~~~!!!

W-What a bunch of cuties~! So fluffy and floofy! And those sparkly little eyes? Totes adorbs!!! 

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

Arf...

Even a little guy like you can be a police dog...! That’s amazing! Who’s a good boy, who’s a good boy~

Ooh! We got a Doberman here! And a German shepherd, too… and—

Totomaru's a Kai Ken.

A Kai Ken!? That's THE police dog right there! So~ coool!!! Nice to meet'cha, pupperz!

And huskies just have the sweetest smiles ever~! Thankies for letting me snap a pic, Shingen!

Haha. Looks like everyone’s getting along already…

Now, as a little introduction, how about we show you the tricks Kosaka-san taught us the other day?

… Alright then, Mile. This handkerchief belongs to someone here. Think you can find its owner?

… *sniff sniff*

… Arf!

Woah, awesome! You totally nailed it~! Yup, that’s Chii’s hanky ♪

He got it on the first try…! I wonder if Mile can tell that Chii-sama’s an invincible idol just from his scent?

Oh, everyone's already here! Looks like things are going well, Kafka.

Chief-chan. Shumai, too.

Woof... Woof~

(So Kafka really did have a talk with Shumai. Normally, he’d be barking by now, but he's quietly watching the other dogs instead.)

Alright, Leo! Jump the hurdle, then catch the frisbee, got it? —Here we go!

Anddd Leo has taken off! Look at that speed! He clears the hurdles with ease... and what a spectacular jump...

Wah!?

And there it goes! Renga-san's frisbee curves through the air, but then…

Ruff!

What a curry catch¹ ! Another flawless performance~~! Leo takes the gold!!! 

Nice job, Leo!

Hmph… See that, Liguang!? Leo and I make quite the team!

You’re only getting by thanks to Leo’s competence, though.

W-What did’ya say…!? I mean… Leo is amazing, but still!

Alright, let’s get this over with, too.

I’ll… just watch from over here…

(Yachiyo-kun, you’re really keeping your distance…)

Okay, Totomaru. Hoop.

......

Wow, he went through it in the blink of an eye...! Totomaru’s really talented too!

You pull off such difficult tasks so effortlessly, without even batting an eye… Ten, Totomaru, you two are more alike than I thought.

Looks like you two make a great pair. It’s nice to see.

… Pass~ I’d rather not be compared to a dog.

Wait... you're right! They're both pitch-black, you can never tell what they're thinking, and they always look so unmotivated! You guys are like two peas in a pod, Ten-kun!  

Haha… Now that's just rude.

They barely had any time to practice, and yet they’re already in sync... That’s so cool. I can't wait for the real thing, Kafka!

… Yeah.

Huh? What’s wrong?

… Is there something on your mind? You look troubled.

… It’s nothing. There’ll be a lot of people around. I just don’t want you to get lost.

Though I’m confident that I’d still be able to find you, even in a crowd.

Haha. You’re worrying too much, Kafka. But you're right. It'll definitely be crowded on the day of the event, so I’ll be careful not to get separated.

… Good. Promise me, alright?

…? Okay. I promise.

Alright then, let's get back to practice. Mile, you ready for the next trick?

[... I wasn't expecting you to call out of nowhere, and to ask me to double-book his schedule…]

… I’ve already secured the offer. The moment I give the signal, he’ll be on set.

[Who exactly is this offer from?]

From the long-established manufacturer—

[What!? A company that big!? A-And this is for a series of commercials, right? If everything goes well, this could turn into a multi-year contract…]

That's right. They said that if he accepts this offer, they’d love to keep working with Renga going forward.

[That sounds wonderful! We'd love to accept the offer, but…]

[Renga-san’s been looking forward to this police dog event so much. He talks about it nonstop, even in the middle of a shooting.]

… I know. Even so, I can’t let Renga take part in it. He could end up getting caught in something dangerous.

I'm sure as his manager, you wouldn't want to see Renga get hurt either… would you?

[Of course I don’t, but...]

I have to keep Renga away from HAMA on that day. So please... I’m asking this as a personal favor.

[... Understood. I’ll schedule the shoot for that day…and let Renga-san know.]

……

(… I’m sorry, Renga. But I’ve already made up my mind.)

Kafka! Ten! You’ve gotta hear this!!

What’s up, Renga?

My managir called me saying I landed a huge job! I got cast in a commercial series everyone knows about.

Wow, isn’t that great news? So, how much do these sorta jobs usually pay?

I-I can’t tell you how much it pays… But the shoot’s the same day as the police dog event… My managir said the schedule can’t be changed…

I racked my brain trying to figure this out, but I couldn't come up with anything…

Do you have any ideas, Kafka? You're smart, so I thought that maybe… you’d be able to convince my managir and come up with a way I could still participate in the event…

… But this is a huge opportunity for you, isn’t it?

Yeah, that's exactly why…!

I'll explain everything to the organizers. So—you can just go ahead and do the shoot, Renga.

… Huh? W-Why’s it gotta be like that!? I came to you for advice because I want to do both…

Up until now, you’d tell me to put my ward mayor duties first... You even talked to my managir yourself, remember?

That's true. But those jobs weren't nearly as important, and there was room to reschedule them. I think you should prioritize your celebrity career this time.

B-But… there aren’t any other talents participating, and the filming will be done indoors. Usually they’d be able to work around my schedule…

The police dog event is only a one-time thing, but that commercial’s a part of a series. It could lead to years of work. I really think that’s what’s best for you, Renga.

……, ……, ……

(Uh-oh… Prez's not his usual selfー) 

B-But… I-I love dogs. Y'know how much this event means to me, Kafka…

You’re not a kid anymore, Renga.

I’m the main host for the police dog event, and the rest of R1ze will be there, too. The event will still go on even if you aren’t there.

You need to start thinking about what's best for you and act on it.

I-I know it's important… but to me…!

Besides, you’ll still get to see Leo and the others at the dorms. Since your manager’s already accepted the offer, shouldn’t you follow through?

Wh-What’s gotten into you, Kafka!? Normally… you’d lend me a hand…

Nothing’s wrong with me. I’m just being honest with you.

Gh…!

I’m not giving up! I’m gonna be at the police dog event, no matter what!!

Ooh~... A fight? That’s unusual.

But Prez, that was pretty unreasonable, coming from you. Right, Shumai?

Woof!

......

(... Did Prez find out about that organization using dogs to commit crimes?)

(So that’s how it is—. He wants to protect the dog from the other dogs. That’s hilarious.)

 (... No matter what anyone says… what I did… wasn’t wrong.)