Track 7

So, uh, about that inspiration heart thing Liguang had in his draft for the entrance...

You mean installation art. Yeah, I think it’s fine to ask this company to do it.

Liguang suggested using the same company we partnered with for that tie-yaki project... they do inspiration hearts too, so it works out.

That’s tie-up, yeah. The last event strategy went well, so I’m sure they’ll be happy to do the art production!

(Renga-kun looks sleepy…I guess that makes sense. The draft Liguang-san sent me was pretty much finished, but Renga-kun’s the one who did all the actual work.)

So like, we’re making a string inspiration heart at the entrance of the venue, and as the visitors tie the strings, the heart will evolve… Liguang said this is a “connecting fates” consent!

We’re making a string installation art at the entrance of the venue, and as the visitors tie the strings, the art will evolve. The concept is “connecting fates”!

Interactive art is popular, and since it’s about forming bonds, it might even become a popular dating spot. I think it’s great!

Yeah, *yaaawn*... I think so too! Zzz...

…Renga-kun, are you okay? You haven’t been sleeping much, have you?

I'm fine! *Yawn*... Besides, if I nail this, even Liguang's gonna see me in a new light, right?

(Liguang-san… Right after we got back from Izumo, he sent a message saying “there was trouble with the business,” and he hasn’t been home since…I wonder if he’s okay?)

(It seems like Yuki-nii is taking care of his rabbits, and he sent me a perfect draft of the tour proposal too, but still...)

...I mean, I'm fine, but is that Liguang really all good?

At the airport, he... looked really pale, and he didn't even take the souvenirs for Linxing and Xingbing-san. That's not like him at all...

You’ve had contact with Liguang-san’s family before, right? You didn’t go give them the souvenirs yourself?

I tried contacting Xingbing-san... his older sister, but she turned me away. She said the timing's bad, and I should try again some other time.

(...I wonder if Liguang-san is pushing himself too hard.)

(He’s meticulous with his work, and has a decisiveness and precision that’s unbelievable for someone in their twenties… He’s perfect to the point of having no flaws, so while I’ve come to rely on him, he's never once relied on me.)

(But if he’s in trouble, I want to help. …I feel awful that I can’t do anything.)

(If only he’d show some flaws in his work, I’d be able to swoop in to help. …Wait, what the heck am I thinking!?)

Hmm... where the hell'd I put that thing?

That thing? Are you looking for something?

Yeah, the magatama I made in Izumo. I wanted to show you since I made a wish on it using Liguang's "connecting fates" idea... Maybe I left it at the dorm?

(Come to think of it, Ten-kun showed me a picture of the two of them making magatama together in Izumo, didn’t he?)

Sorry Chief, mind if I go grab it? I've been carrying it everywhere lately, so I feel kinda anxious without it.

It’s worrying when you lose a good luck charm, isn’t it? I’ll wait here, so go ahead and get it!

Thanks...! I'll be right back!

……

(...It’s time.)

Bring the car around.

Yessir!

Sister. The door is going to break.

Hey, what’s with this plane ticket? You expect me to run away too?

……

(Both of our parents and Linxing have already been sent to a “vacation house” overseas. The only one left is Xingbing…)

Judging by your actions, it seems you want to handle this matter yourself. Did you really think I'd be considerate enough to leave, even though I'm the head of this family?

……

(If she stays here, Kiba will definitely come to kill her. …He’s already targeted Linxing.)

(There’s no doubt that this was Kiba’s “signal.”)

(If the killing starts, Kiba will kill my family and the comrades I cherish first.)

(But there’s no way I can tell her that.)

In regards to identifying the tailgating vehicle, our legal advisor has asked their favored public prosecutor to assist. However, progress is moving abnormally slow. It is likely due to some kind of external pressure causing a stalemate.

While this is happening, the footage from the city’s surveillance cameras is being overwritten.

Right now… It would be a disaster if something happened to the family head. I, as second in command, should be the one to deal with this.

You think that's enough to convince me?

…Xingbing. Please back down here. As a favor to me.

Hah. …Don't you dare underestimate your older sister.

*Sigh*..., Yuheng. Could I ask you to guard my sister?

Understood. I'll keep her safe.

…I apologize for allowing Sojun to get injured.

……! No, I believe Brother Sojun fulfilled his greatest wish. After all, he was able to protect Linxing-sama.

…I see. You be careful as well.

Yes, thank you very much.

……

(As for what else Kiba might come after…)

(...As I thought, it seems everyone is out at this time.)

(I’ll finish everything while I have the chance.)

Haku. You were waiting for me…

Kyu.

(All four of them are in perfect health. I’ll have to give Kamina my thanks…)

You all, we’re going to move. It will be a bit cramped, but bear with it.

……

(He’ll kill anything that makes me waver. He spares nothing, even animals and infants… He’s always been like that.)

(I was already on thin ice, but… this carefree life ends here. …I won’t let him take a single thing from me in this life.)

……, Who’s there.

Woah, scary. Don’t glare at me like that. I just came to see who was walking around trying to silence their steps~.

…Do you have any results?

Well about that, I have some bad news. The house put a lid on it.

…Ninokuruwa is interfering?

They said looking for Kiba isn’t worth the effort anymore. So, I can’t take the job.

……

(Is Kiba paying them off? Or is lending out their top earner not worth it. No, more than that…)

(I never thought I would be disappointed that I can’t borrow Murakumo’s strength… When did I become so weak—)

Well, I can help you carry the rabbit carriers for free at least.

…Alright.

—!

……

(...No. It’s not… Kiba.)

Liguang... and Ten? With the rabbits... where are you guys going!?

……

Hey... don't just ignore me!

Sorry Renga-san, I’m just helping out.

There are four carriers. Load them carefully.

Yes, Boss.

Hey……, Liguang!

Don’t touch me!

Ugh...!

(Oh boy…)

...Ow. What's your problem!?

That’s my line! What on earth are you!? Why…why were you born with the same face as Kiba…!

……Huh.

Do you really not know where Kiba is? Is it possible you do know something? Besides the brick in the alleyway—

……!?

How do you know about the brick in the alley!? That was... supposed to be just between us!

(Did Kiba tell him...? No way... It was supposed to be our secret. Then why...)

...Wait, is it because you found out? Is that why Kiba stopped going there...?

And if so, what of it? I have no obligation to play along with you two and your little games.

A game!? That was my one and only way to make sure whether Kiba was safe or not! And now...

You idiot! How long are you going to keep dreaming about him…!? Can’t you see!?

You’re being deceived and used by him! You wouldn’t have been abandoned for over a decade otherwise!

……Ngh.

No way, that's not true. Renga would never deceive me!

Listen, I’ll tell you the truth. Kiba is cunning! Cruel! Ruthless!

He’ll stop at nothing to further his own goals. He feels no remorse over killing even young children, and he won’t feel an ounce of regret over using you until you break!

H-How can you say something so awful!

Because I know! I’ve been robbed over and over and over again!

(That’s right, that’s why I have no choice but to find him as quickly as possible, using any means necessary, and kill him first—)

……, ……

(This isn’t the time to be arguing with this idiot.)

Let’s go. Find the source of all of this.

A-As you wish, Boss.

...Wait!

…Move. I can’t get in the car.

You're looking for Kiba, aren't you…? What are you planning? Are you gonna hurt him? Then I'm not letting you leave...!

Hurt him? Hurt him, you say? Hah… I’m telling you this now, he was the one who made the first move.

……...Just—take it back. Take back what you just said.

What?

Take it back! That part about Renga deceiving and using me!

……

Renga grew up loved by his dad and grandmother... He brought light into my life. He was my very first friend.

I'm not being deceived or used! And besides, even you...!

When we first met, you knew instantly I was just a fake. That's because you two were that close, right!?

You told me about it the other day, didn't you? About how Renga really was when he's around you... All those stories and memories about Xiaoya...!

That made it clear to me—you two were for sure best friends. Knowing both you and Renga, I can just see it!

…No, you don’t understand anything.

...Ghk.

(Ah… Liguang-san is stupid strong. If he overdoes it, Renga-san might end up dying… But if I step in now, I’ll just be adding fuel to the fire. What to do.)

You’re the idiot who doesn’t understand Kiba’s true nature. He’s been systematically pouring this manufactured “kindness” into you. So that you’ll become a convenient pawn for him.

……No!

You’re being treated like a toy. A convenient existence.

That can't be right!

Exactly what do you see? He’s taking advantage of your idiocy and exploiting your pure nature!

If Kiba truly cared about you, then why would he abandon you for so long? When you were suffering as “Renga Nishizono”, did he come and help you?

...Gh—

You were suffering after losing Reika-sama, weren’t you? Did Kiba come to offer any flowers? Did he come to comfort you? No, he didn’t, did he?!!

...! Th-That's, that's just...!

I'm sure, there must be... a reason for that...!

(Ahh~, jeez.)

(Although~, I think I’m with Liguang-san on this one.)

H-Hey, wait a minute…! What’s going on here!?

Ah, and here comes the chief.