Track 5

What’s wrong, Chief?

Well… It turns out this person is the manager of “Theater 101,” but…

He says a cast member he invited to an event in three days can’t make it!

I-It’s embarrassing to admit, but in three days we will be holding a special anniversary event… And we’ve invited quite a number of world-famous performers…

But one of the featured acts, a married couple of juggling performers, can’t make it that night…

…A married couple of juggling performers. It’s probably the world-famous Nor and Rich.

Yes, that’s right! The customers are also looking forward to the performance… But at this rate, the owner might fire me…

So this place has a different owner.

Yes. The owner is quite well-known in Nakasu, but he cares very deeply for this theater and is willing to sacrifice anything for it…

I definitely felt a lot of that passion in the food and performance.

I get it… I’d also be willing to give up everything for what’s most important to me…

The anniversary program is structured so that all the performances are connected, so if the juggling act doesn’t happen, the other cast members will also be affected…

[Terrible, terrible, trouble, trouble]

Why did the couple say they couldn’t come in the first place?

…That couple treats the small items they juggle like family, so they apparently went into mourning when one of their clubs broke…

(I-I’m not sure whether it's okay to laugh at that reason or not…)

Hmm… Ten can probably juggle, right?

Huh?

That’s true! Now that I think about it, the other day when I dropped a glass while we were out drinking, he caught it for me before it broke!

Hey, you’re talking to a complete amateur here.

But Chihiro’s good at juggling, and you’re part of a dance club, right? I’m sure you can do it.

What does being able to dance have to do with juggling?

What’re ya guys talking about~? Ten-kun’s gonna juggle?

(Hm? It looks like he’s already had a few drinks. He seems pretty drunk.)

Yachiyo, do you think Ten can juggle?

Huh? BWAHAHA, no chance!

Huh, why? I think Ten could do it.

Tsk tsk tsk, you’re all very stupid, yes~? Ten-kun’s like me~! Just a normal guy!

That’s right, I’m just a normal guy~.

A CEO, a celebrity, a Chinese mafia member, and a figure skater… You guys are INSANE!!

Hey, Yachiyo-kun, you seem a little drunk, so let’s leave it at that…

Ten-kun is my oasis! A normal guy who has absoluu~uutely nothing~!

I-I don’t think that’s true though. Ten-kun is really dexterous…

(He’d be even more amazing if he got serious…probably.)

I’m surprised you don’t have a better eye for these things, Chief~. Look at his face. Does he look like a guy that can juggle even two beanbags?

Oh, then how about I give it a try?

(If they see me try and fail, they’ll have to give up, right?)

Ten-kun, Ten-kun, no need to get so triggered~. I won’t blame you even if you don’t try. You’re just a poor, pitiful, job-hunting student, after all~.

—Now that your guard’s down, EAT THIS!!

(!? He threw an empty glass…!)

Oop.

Woah! Ten caught it!

Hey, don’t throw the store’s property.

It’s alright. It may look fragile, but it’s made out of a special glass, so even if it falls it won’t break. More importantly though, those reflexes just now…

Don’t get all smug just from catching one or two things! Take this, and that!

Woah there.

Wow! Amazing, 5 at the same time? 6, 7!?

I knew he could do it.

Whaaat? How are you doing this? This is so unfair~!

Woooah~!

(Uhhh, how much can a normal person do again? Maybe it’s about time—)

I won’t accept it! Ten-kun is just a normal human~! TAKE, THIS!!

(Ah! Yachiyo-kun threw a vase this time!? And it’s a wild pitch…!)

Won’t it break…!?

……

*Swoop*

Ooh, he reflexively twisted his body to catch it.

Haha, I think that’s good enough for now. I’m done.

That was amazing, Ten-kun!

(Tsss…That masochistic four-eyes…)

……?

W-Wonderful…! I’ve seen a lot of juggling, so I can tell… You’re a bundle of talent…!!!

I’m begging you! Unknown traveler! Please help me and perform in the show in three days!

[Begging, begging, begging, you.]

I mean~, that was mostly a fluke…

You should do it, Ten. It’ll be a good experience. You can write about volunteering to help people on your applications too.

(That smile tells me he’s definitely not gonna let me refuse… This sucks.)

I’d be grateful if you even just kept the show going! I’ll pay you for the work too…!

I think I’ll have Liguang be your assistant. He’s the sub-host for this tour, so it’ll help you guys get to know each other better ♪

Oh, did you get to know Yukikaze-san better in the first feature, Boss?

I don’t care about getting to know him.

Achoo.

Liguang, did you catch a cold? Do you have a fever?

No…I’m fine. Don’t worry, Kamina.

Maybe someone’s spreading rumors about you… They must know how much of a hard worker you are.

……

*Sigh*

(I ended up making more work for myself. Even though I have other things I need to be doing.)

Kakizaki-san? It’s Tanaka Daka. How is everything going tonight?

[Come to the location I’m sending you now. I’ve finally gathered all three targets. I’ll negotiate, you’ll be the gopher.]

Understood.

[Don’t let your guard down. I heard that one of the targets has gotten a powerful backer.]

A backer? Are they from the Fukuoka underworld?

[You’ll understand once you’re here, hurry up.]

Gotcha.

(It’s convenient that the targets are all together. I’ll clean this up quick and report back.)

……

(A backer, huh? Whatever, I’ll just focus on getting the job done as usual.)

(This lounge is pretty impressive. Wonder if the private room in the back’s where the negotiations are gonna happen?)

The targets should be over there waiting. Don’t mess up, crow.

As you wish.

(......Ah.)

……

(The backer is—)

…The eldest son of the Lurong family…!?

It seems everyone is here. Take your seats. We will begin our first and final negotiations.

I don’t know who you are, but I’ll be the one in charge of organizing the meeting. Kakizaki-san, if you would please.

…………

No matter what you say, I have no intention of handing it over.

This land has been under my family’s protection for generations. I won’t just hand it over to a newcomer.

I’ve seen through what you people plan on doing once you have this land here. You plan on remaking the town!

It’s in your best interest to withdraw… Those are the owners’ words.

(How scary. All the pressure’s making old man Kakizaki’s knees rattle.)

N-No offense, but aren’t you the eldest son of HAMA’s Lurong family? I’d rather you not interfere in Fukuoka’s affairs.

We have affiliates across the entire country. It’s only natural that we come when requested.

Tch… Why does this asshole have to be the one holding the buck…

If you sell it to me now, I can pay you double the market price. I may be changing the town, but it’ll be for the better, and I’ll make sure to listen to the opinions of the locals.

Tanaka Daka, show them what I’ll be paying!

Roooger.

…Wha, ten, no, tens of millions?

Did seeing it with your eyes snap you out of it? You’ll have even more than this deposit in your pocket overnight.

…*Sigh* How flashy. What a vulgar way of doing things.

……Tch.

T-That’s right! We can’t sell our land to vulgar people like you!

Negotiations are over, I’m going home!

Sojun, escort the owners safely.

Yes, Boss.

This meeting is over. I’ll give you a warning in advance. I won’t tolerate the use of illegal things in my territory.

(Oops, that probably means the candy’s out of the bag too.)

Shit…! Damn it! You’re just a fucking brat!

(Ah, the glass is falling—)

Won’t it break…!?

……

Damn it! Shit!

(Small fries always end up throwing tantrums so easily. Thanks for fitting the template to a T—)

I didn’t hear anything about the Lurong family sticking their nose into this…! We don’t have time!

……

(Well then, this just became really annoying.)