Track 9

It’s wise not to gamble when you have low odds of winning.

Haa… Ow… You’re right. Didn’t you notice? I let myself be taken here without a fight.

(This is the bar next to the theater… I see, Mikawa must have lent him his key…)

You’ll be staying here just like that tonight. Lucky for you, there’s plenty of alcohol. Perhaps if you behave yourself, I’ll let you have a drink.

Putting that aside, I already surrendered, so can you take this zip tie off? Ahh, my ribs hurt like hell… I could die.

……

I won’t be able to pull anything on you or Sojun in this condition anyway.

Sojun, release him.

Should I break his legs first?

No need. He has work to do on the surface tomorrow.

Haha… You respect that much.

I don’t make promises I can't keep. Have you forgotten that I’m also a cast member?

Haa… This seriously hurts… What’re you gonna do if it’s broken?

Even if it were broken, you’d be able to move again with a night’s rest.

…You’re trying to hit the time limit by keeping me here, aren’t you?

That goes without saying. It’s the least painful way of solving this matter.

Then I’m guessing Mikawa’s already on a plane right now? Or about to depart?

……

I see now, I thought it felt too easy getting the pledges from the other two considering you were backing them.

I’d be at a disadvantage looking after all 3 with you as an opponent.

Aha, I’ll take that as a compliment.

……

……

Do you want a drink? It won’t help your injuries, but it will relieve the pain.

…That’s so kind of you.

……

…Hey, do you think I’m a “good guy”?

Not at all.

Ahaha, …ngh, ow. I can really feel it when I laugh…

…Renga-san said something crazy, y'know? He said I was a good guy.

That idiot says things like that only because you put up an act in front of him.

Well, that’s how it is. I just go along with whatever the other person wants.

That’s the kind of work this is. I wouldn’t be able to do it otherwise.

……

I can tell you are one of Ninokuruwa’s elite.

……

A drink, please. Anything other than wine.

Thanks…

Ahh, this is some good whiskey. Lucky me.

*Sigh* I’m starting to feel a little better.

…Is there not a single thing you’ve ever wanted for yourself?

…What do you mean?

Your current appearance and position are likely temporary, created to make your job easier. However, you should have some measure of freedom.

Within that, was there really nothing you wanted to do?

…I don’t know. I just follow my whims.

If I feel like doing it, then I do it. It’s probably different for you though, right?

…I don’t act based on my mood.

Wow. How prudent of you.

…You may call it following your whims, but others may see it as kindness.

Huuh? You’re not praising me now, are you?

On a whim, you’re kind to the idiot. On a whim, you get serious for your teammates. On a whim, you decide to take on juggling…

Ahh, please stop. It gives me goosebumps when you say those are good things. Makes me want to do something to you.

I’m not saying you’re a good person. The acts of kindness you do for others on a whim are, in the end, all things you do for yourself. They’re not done with good intentions.

……I’m glad you’re not treating me like a good person.

It simply means you have enough feelings towards those people that you’re inclined to act upon them.

(...Feelings, huh?)

So that means this alcohol is a symbol of your feelings. Thank you very much.

Murakumo. Don’t give up on fighting against injustice.

…Is there a connection between acting on your feelings and fighting against injustice?

Even if your feelings are only slightly inclined, if you connect the pieces and find a reason for them, they will eventually become your beliefs.

Once you have those, they will determine your way of life.

…Sounds like it’d be hard to do while restrained.

…Liguang-san, is it because of your beliefs that you’re sitting here like this, preaching like an old man?

……

…That’s right.

I cannot tolerate a life being toyed with and swept away by injustice. No matter whose it is.

(It is my duty as a survivor to instill meaning into lives that were taken without reason.)

(It’s already enough. That kind of fate is—)

I see… So that’s your backbone.

What did you say?

Nothing. Just that this whiskey is really good.

There’s nothing more absurd than having power unjustly held over your life.

Would you please just stop preaching already?

Not everyone has the willpower to live like you, Liguang-san. It’s easy enough to say though.

…That’s just what it looks like.

……Who cares.

I’m gonna take a nap. Wake me up when you’re satisfied.

……

Boss, it seems the owner’s plane has departed safely… But are you really planning to release Murakumo tomorrow? Perhaps it's best we keep him detained like this.

There’s still one day left… I’m sure he’ll come up with something.

Then…

I have a job on the surface to attend to. I have an obligation to fulfill. And…

...…?

Let’s just see what happens first.

…Oh, it’s dawn.

Good work. You can do as you please now, brat.

Haah, …Up we go.

You’re already able to move around quite well after only a night’s rest.

Can’t you see I’m pushing myself though? Ahhh, ouch.

……

Wait a sec. You’re already leaving? But we just spent such a lovely night together.

(Although, who cares about the guy who screwed me over.)

…Murakumo.

Yeah?

I’ve never thought of you as a “good guy.” But last night…when you got serious for a moment.

……

That anger was good. It was justified.

……

If you ever want to leave your foolish roots, let me know.

Haha, what are you on about? You wanna be my master or something…?

.....

Everyone knows, right? Deserters¹ are destined to die.

(My life is trash too…)

*Sigh*... Kafka and Yuki-nii wouldn’t leave my room last night, and it took a lot of work calming them down.

Yeees? Come in,

Good morning, Chief…

Renga-kun? Is something wrong? You’re here early.

Ah, yeah. Um… I have something I want to discuss with you.

(...Why does this seem kind of serious?)