Track 4

How much have you heard about the request this time?

Pretty much nothing. I was told to hear it from you directly.

…I see. Here’s my business card, we’ll start with that.

Thanks.

(...Director of a real estate brokerage, huh? This place is backed by a major property developer. The government also probably has a hand in it…)

(My guess is…land sharking¹?)

This chip has the data you need. You’ll understand after you read it, but we want to acquire the land in this area.

…That’s quite a large amount of land. What are you planning to do with it?

We’re going to build the largest commercial facility in the region. But that’s not all, underneath it, we’ll also have a “special” entertainment facility for the rich.

Oho, a “special” facility, you say.

Underworld casinos, host clubs, cabaret clubs…

Seems like you’d need a lot of manpower for that.

I told you, didn’t I? Just like moths gathering around light. There’s plenty of runaways with complicated backgrounds. It’s a treasure trove of talent. They’re all vulnerable after all.

Doesn’t sound like it’d be easy to manage a bunch of troubled kids. If they all ran away at the same time, the police would bust the whole thing in a flash.

That’s why we’ll use this.

So cute~, what is it? Can I have a lick?

Quit it. It looks like a normal piece of candy, but there’s addictive substances inside.

You’ll get hooked after even one lick.

That’s…

I seeee, that’s pretty smart. So you’ll be handing these out to runaway girls and boys on the verge of becoming delinquents.

They’ll do whatever we want for a piece of candy, right?

Kakki, isn’t that kinda awful? I feel bad for those kids.

Shut up. We’re giving jobs to people who have nothing but their youth. I see it as a kindness.

(And once they’re useless, they’re thrown out… Buy the youth with cheap wages and make the wealthy spend big money…)

…But Kakki, isn’t that bad news? I mean, you’d be spreading some dangerous stuff around.

Are you in any position to be patronizing me?

…M-Mister, you think it’s bad news too, don’t you?

Hmm. Realistically though, wouldn’t it be a paradise for people who have nowhere to go?

……

It’d probably be good to tell them the candy also has good effects for beauty, or that it gives you more energy. And mention that it gives them a crazy high while they’re working.

You’re insane…

Haha, you get it, don’t you? I like it. You good with sake?

Ah, are you sure~? Thank you very much. Just one cup, please.

By the way, are the candies approved?

No problem with that. Kuzu-san, a former bureaucrat, is backing us. We’ve even gotten the government to approve it under the pretext of promoting health.

Well, well.

And I assume it was Kuzu-san who introduced you to our house?

That’s right. He’s an executive at a major developer and has lots of ties to the political world.

(Ooh, got it. I was wondering how a small fry like Kakizaki could make a request to Ninokuruwa, but it looks like he’s got an A-class backer…)

How many targets are there?

Three. They own the land and buildings in this area. You have to get them to give up the land within four days.

Four days?

We’ve been working on this plan for several years. When the targets were stubborn and everything came to a standstill, the guy above us…the big shot said he’d pull out.

(...A politician wheeling and dealing in cash, huh? I’m sure we’ll be hearing juicy stories about him in a few years time.)

(In fact, this area’s doing fine with just the administration on the surface. There’s no point in making an underworld entertainment district… Which means the government is becoming a problem.)

If I can settle the land issue within four days from tomorrow, they’ll go through with it. That’s why I said the time limit was four days.

I see. Understood. I’ll try not to pass the deadline.

(He’s pretty stressed about it… I guess we’re both running out of time.)

Then I’ll start working on it tomorrow, but for now, let’s have a toast.

Yeah, starting tomorrow I’ll be having you do the dirty work.

Yep, feel free to use me for anything you’d like.

So this is the place the chief reserved for us, Theater 101. It has a really unique atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to it!

Uwaa~ This place has such an adult vibe to it, I’m getting excited…

Something’s coming!

[Welcome, I am a theater guide. Please, tell me, reservation number.]

It’s a unique robot designed like a clown cat. The way it talks is also cute and soothing.

…It's a pretty old model. But there’s some robot enthusiasts who think its cylindrical shape is cute and retro.

I’ve heard of it. The AI is inferior to that of pet robots, but supposedly that is what makes it so cute.

[Number, thank you. I will guide. This way, please.]

(Wow~, there’s a cast member standing still right next to the table! I wonder what it’ll be like when they start moving?)

T-Ten! Their face is wrapped up in red cloth like a mummy…! They’re not moving at all, do you think it’s a doll?

I think that’s a performer. They’ll probably start moving when the show starts.

Don’t make a fuss about every little thing.

[Show, food, please enjoy. Afterwards, enjoy free cocktail at counter. This, your cocktail ticket, please take.]

Ehehe…there’s free cocktails. Yay~, what a bargain~~

Before that, let’s enjoy dinner and the show. This is my first time at an immersive theater, so I’m really looking forward to it!

Thank you, Chief.

Hehe, I’m happy that you’re happy.

Chief, sit next to me!

Then I’ll also sit next to you.

Why!?

Wahh, it’s starting! It’s a light illesion, wow!

It’s illusion, you idiot…

Wow, there are ladies spinning around on the ceiling! They’re hanging by their hair…doesn’t that hurt!?

Fuefuki, don’t you dare get up from your seat. Use your coat to tie yourself to your chair.

It’s a very dreamlike show. I’d love to incorporate it into my skating…

This is some good cooking.

It’s a Western-style arrangement of sesame mackerel. It’s impressive how they’ve also included local specialties.

The food is first rate, and the show is so awesome it feels like watching a circus right in front of us. It was definitely worth it. I’m glad we came!

Well then, now that the dinner and show are over, I’m gonna go pick up my cocktail from the bar next door.

Right, let’s all go together!

There’s nothing tastier than free alcohol~!

I’m excited to see what kind of cocktail it’ll be!

Renga, don’t drink too much alright?

Wait, Yuki-nii, Liguang-san, you're not coming with us?

I’m waiting for a call from work, so I will refrain from drinking.

I’m also planning on doing some light training when I get back to the hotel, so I’ll join Liguang in enjoying some non-alcoholic drinks.

Got it. We’ll be going, then!

Be careful not to trip and fall. If anything happens, I’ll come running.

The place is literally right next door, so there’s no way that would happen, and I’ll be there too, anyway. Let’s go, Chief!

Wait, Kafka, you don’t have to drag me.

Woah, the interior’s mega stylish. And with the river flowing in front of us, it looks so pretty…

Free cocktails, free cocktails! I got Yukikaze-san and Liguang-san’s tickets for their share too.

Isn’t this place romantic, Chief? Hey, how about we sit next to each other, just the two of us?

Sure! I’ll go grab some cocktails for the both of us!

Man, this alcohol sure hits the spot.

(There aren’t any other customers here, so it looks like we have the place to ourselves… Wait, it looks like there’s someone in the back…?)

H-Hey, Shunin. You see that old man in the back? He’s mumbling something to himself… Doesn’t it seem kinda weird?

You’re right, it looks like he’s worried about something… Umm, excu…

Wait a moment, Chief. Make sure to check if the person is dangerous or not before you call out to them. It’s something you always forget to do.

Ah, r-right. Sorry…

…Oh, the guide robot is talking to the old man.

[Manager, work, work, wor–.]

Ahh, don’t rush me, Nyanpie-chan. I’m not sure what I should do either…

He seems like he’s in trouble. It’s alright if I talk to him, right?

Jeez… I guess I can’t talk you out of it, can I? Sure, go ahead.

Excuse me! Is there something bothering you?

I-I’ll go help the chief too!

Having someone important to you be such a massive goody-two-shoes must be tough.

Are you talking to me, Ten? It’s really not that tough at all.

Oh, really?

The situations that good people get involved in can sometimes end up turning into good fortune. Aren’t you just being cynical because you don’t have the guts to handle it?

…Wow, that’s pretty harsh.

The chief looks worried. Come with me. Let’s go help.

Yeah, yeah. I'm just tagging along, okay?