Main Story - 70 ( Secret )

 

J-proofer : Royalquintet

E-proofer :Honeyspace

HiMERU: (—Hmm. Seems as if the surveillance camera has malfunctioned. The audio and video have both been interrupted.) 

(As expected, it is difficult to monitor anyone within ES. Naturally, there is no reason for them to not have countermeasures against espionage.)

(Even with the power of the Information Bureau— a privilege from the Vice President, who has the right to install surveillance cameras at his convenience…)

(Well, there must be a limit to it. Then so be it.)

(It was to be expected, too. The other members of Crazy:B, especially that Amagi, didn’t seem to be particularly interested in ALKALOID—) 

(It is quite strange, considering that Amagi's brother is also in that unit.)

(But  I¹ wasn’t doing this for anyone, it was just for my own personal research.) 

(It’s not as if this session was pointless for me— Well, let’s just wrap it up for today.)

(It's such a shame, though. After all, it appears like things just started to get heated up there.)

(The person who visited ALKALOID, shown in the last few seconds of that surveillance video—)

(From a quick observation, he seems to be the dangerous type, the kind of person who would end up destroying everything.)

(Please kindly go rampage and leave wounds all over ALKALOID.)

(Especially that Kazehaya Tatsumi.)

(Aaaargh— Kazehaya Tatsumi, Kazehaya Tatsumi, Kazehaya Tatsumi… The name that HiMERU never wanted to hear in his life ever again. It is disgusting to see his face or even hear his voice.)

(—You're the one who hurt people.)

(Don’t you dare nonchalantly enjoy your life, you damn saint bastard.)

Niki: Ohh~~ Is that HiMERU-kun over there? Yaho yaho~, what a coincidence~♪

HiMERU: —Shiina. 

Niki: Yes, Here is Shiina Niki-kun!

Eeh, hm. Are you really HiMERU-kun? My bad, I’m holdin’ a bunch of stuff, so I can’t really see in front of me, so I'm not really sure~!

HiMERU: —Hm. Why are you carrying that much, Shiina? 

We already have enough eyes on us to worry about, thus HiMERU beseeches you to refrain from showing eccentric behaviour.

Niki: Eh, what the heck does beseech mean? Sounds like a complicated word— big words like that are so confusing!

HiMERU-kun really gives off smart guy vibes~, I really respect you, since I’m just an idiot with no education!

HiMERU: (—Technically, I skipped several grades and have already managed to graduate from university. Well…I won't say that myself, by any means.)

(Your academic background has nothing to do with idol activities— it is not something to show off.)

Niki: Hm~... Huh, are you really HiMERU-kun? Somehow you “smell” kinda different from usual?

HiMERU: —You think so? It’s the same perfume as usual, though. This is quite strange. 

Niki: Hmm? Ahh no, maybe it's just me? Looking closely, you really are HiMERU-kun! Whew, thank goodness!

I almost looked like some kind of weirdo who suddenly talks to strangers~, ahaha~♪

HiMERU: —Shiina, HiMERU thinks it would be best to avoid being noisy in the lobby. 

HiMERU has already said this multiple times, but we are the ones picking a fight with the entirety of ES… We are prone to being estranged.

HiMERU is not telling you to lay low, but HiMERU thinks it wouldn’t be very favorable to unnecessarily sow the seeds of trouble yourself.

In Japanese society, people who stick out too much get punished, so it’s best to not stick out to avoid garnering negative attention.

Niki: That is so true~. People in ES seem so tense recently— they even glare at me with super scary expressions!

Well, it’s not a bother for me, so I’m alright!

Scary looks won't kill anyone~. Eating 3 meals a day is more important!

Fufun. I'm actually thinking of making dishes from these ingredients that I got myself and devouring it all until I'm satisfied, but...

If you have time, how about joining me, HiMERU-kun? Food eaten with someone else is more delicious than food eaten alone!

HiMERU: —HiMERU was wondering what you had so much of. So these are all food ingredients?

It’s not like we’re involved in some kind of siege warfare. You don’t have to bulk-buy months worth of ingredients.

Niki: Actually, this is just a few days worth at most, you see?

Lately, because I have to go along with Rinne-kun and keep being forced to do a lot of concerts, if I don't occasionally buy this much then the stock will run out fast, y'know?

Rinne-kun is a troublesome one, right? Even though it’s such a pain, everyone’s eyes end up on us— I don’t even have the motivation to be an idol.

HiMERU: —Hm. HiMERU heard information about that too; so it was true. HiMERU thought you were just acting the part of an unmotivated character.

From HiMERU’s perspective, your skills as an idol were good enough to be seen as top-notch.

So it is quite hard to believe that someone who has no will to do things is actually capable of shining that much.

Niki: Eeh~. Even HiMERU-kun would say that...?

I'm just a simple cook. It's seriously annoying getting all caught up in this. Can we get this all wrapped up already~?

Since the agency went and said they would fire me, I'd love to just let them do it.

The only thing I would regret is losing the L$ i've earned, because that can be used for food expenses.

HiMERU: —Hm. HiMERU has never thought about ending his idol career. 

Niki: Hee~. I don't really get what's so fun about it… While it's true that being with ES makes it easier to earn money, in this world there are so many other types of job opportunities too.

HiMERU: —Hm. Shiina truly only views idol work as a job, huh.

Niki: Weeell, actually, to put it bluntly, any work is fine as long as it can give me the resources to get food.

To be honest, I don't really get what makes people in ES so tense all the time.

Looking at the people around me, I can see them crying, laughing, running here and there and everywhere— 

It makes me feel like I'm in a different world entirely. Whatever is happening to the idol industry or entertainment industry doesn’t mean anything for us normies, because it has nothing to do with us.

It makes me feel taken aback; it's actually really off-putting.

HiMERU: —Fufu. As you said, the entertainment world has recently had such a bizarre atmosphere. You could say it's almost fictitious in nature.

And if it's a work of fiction, there must be an author writing it. But who is writing our story— and who is reading it?

Notes :

¹ HiMERU refer himself with 俺 (ore) here instead of the usual HiMERU.

frontline watchdog 5

 

Saegusa Ibara’s childhood, on the training grounds of the private military facility.

Ibara: ……….

 

Ibara: (Looks like I’m starting to get hungry… just my luck to be out of rations. Unless my life’s in grave danger, I’d rather not start chowing down on bugs, though.)

(Haaah… how many more hours do I have to sit here on standby?)

(...How much longer do I have to keep crawling around in this hell?)

(...Hn? Sounds like a dog’s bark.)

(Ah. They’re doing drills with the military dogs on the training grounds nearby.)

( Of course, for our drills, even the grown-ups are worked until they admit defeat. Must be nice to be a dog—you put in just enough effort and right away they give you treats.)

(Aah, how annoying...)

Ibara: ...Here, have some food, Bloody Mary.

Ibara: (Because His Excellency looked after her, I was able to get a bit of rest. I’m feeling quite refreshed now.

(Almost too refreshed. Having a dream like that might be the consequence of sleeping too long.)

(...Compared to back then, this place is heaven.)

(Spending day after day with my life on the line, my mind and body being worn down. How many times did I fantasize about choking the life out of Instructor-dono...)

(Even he, that damned drill sergeant, is nothing more than a collared pet dog now. Wagging his tail for his master, that disgraceful little pet.)

(Haaah. If this were the battlefield, I would put him down as soon as I could.)

Ibara: ...What is it, Bloody Mary?

Another helping? Really, what a glutton you are. I’d like you to staunchly resist and learn by my example, from how I was in my childhood. If you keep acting like that, Instructor-dono will―

...Ah, yes. Ufufu, I believe I’ve had a wonderful idea… ☆

 

Ibara: (...Heheh. Looks like I’ve found you.)

Ibara: Well, well, if it isn’t Yuzuru! What a coincidence, seeing you in a place like this.

 

Yuzuru: ...Ibara. You must be quiet in the library—ah!?

Ibara: Oh, is something the matter?

Yuzuru: That… furry little creature you happen to be carrying...

Ibara: Calling her furry is rude, you know. You should refer to her as a living jewel.

Her name is Bloody Mary—the beloved pet dog of His Highness Hiyori.

At the moment, His Highness is off somewhere far away. Unworthy though I may be, this Saegusa Ibara has been entrusted with looking after her!

However! I am a newcomer to caring for animals, and so I am quite troubled...

And! So! That is why I thought to implore you—Yuzuru, the most elite of all butlers—for guidance.

Yuzuru: I—I see…

Ibara: Why are you stepping back? There is no need to worry, Bloody Mary will not bite you.

 

Ibara: Isn’t she lovely? Look, look~♪

Yuzuru: St-stop that this instant. I can see her perfectly well without you coming any closer…!

Ibara: (Heheh. I had some suspicions, but it seems he really does dislike dogs.)

(Even during the drills at the military facility, he tried to keep a distance from them. His weakness against them is still rooted deep in his mind.)

(He is a man who could withstand being alone in the midst of the enemy army… And yet, why is he still weak to something so trivial as dogs…)

(Perhaps it’s disdain from comparing their circumstances to his own, and yet refusing to acknowledge that they are ultimately similar.)

(...Well, I don’t really care about the reason behind it. Whatever, I’m just over the moon to be able to harass him!)

Ibara: The Himemiya residence also keeps a dog, yes? By all means, I ask for your advice… ☆

Yuzuru: ...You could say that, but I wouldn’t know either. Though I am tasked with caring for him, typically those duties are entrusted to someone else.

Since I moved to the Seisou Hall, I have not been involved with it in the slightest.

Ibara: Is that so~. And here I had high hopes for you.

Ibara: (...As if. This is exactly what I expected from you, Yuzuru. Since I’ve managed to enjoy that look of disgust on your face. ☆)

Yuzuru: If it is concerning dogs, I would imagine that those in the “Animals” circle would be more well-versed than I.

Though it may be for the time being, you possess a life in your hands. Do commit yourself lest you lose your focus, Ibara.

Ibara: (Hmph. Who does he think he is…)

Ibara: Aye, aye ♪ I shall embody the perfect display of care. Ah ha ha… ☆

Around 1:00 p.m.

 

Ibara: Now then. Let’s begin your afternoon exercise, Bloody Mary!

...Hmm? Why are you cocking your head like that? You like exercising, don’t you?

Ibara: (I still remember the way the military dogs did their drills. So much so that I see them in my dreams.)

(Though their breeds may be different, they are dogs just the same. Deep down, her lineage lies with hunting dogs, so Bloody Mary should be glad to take part…)

Ibara: Of course, I will have you doing fundamental physical training: building up your hunting skills, and drawing out your latent potential. 

Come now—run like the wind, Bloodstained Mary!
 

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frontline watchdog 6

 

 

Ibara: (…Using a Mouse Drone was the right idea. Just by controlling it with my phone, I’ve gotten Bloody Mary to exert herself.)

(Originally, they were intended for data-gathering, but. Useful things should be used any way they can—)

(Let’s say I’m running endurance tests on them as well, to kill two birds with one stone.)

Ibara: ...Oh? It seems I’ve lost sight of Bloody Mary.

She had just been running around over there, too… Bloody Mary, where are you?

Bloody Mary! Please stop hiding and come on out, now!

Ibara: (She’s nowhere to be seen… Did she elope, perhaps?)

(No, that’s impossible. I've been standing in front of the doorway this whole time, and there are no other exits.)

(But if that’s the case, then where…)

(It looks like those bushes rustled over there.)

Ibara: There you are, Bloody Mary. I’d appreciate it if you would refrain from making me worry.

They say that dogs resemble their owners—you certainly are just as out of hand.

…? Why won’t you stand up?

Ibara: (She looks thoroughly exhausted. Even more, she’s breathing hard…)

Ibara: Are you alright? Please hang in there, Bloody Mary!

 

Yuzuru: —Ibara.

Ibara: Yuzuru, why are you here…?

Yuzuru: I caught wind of your voice from where I had been reading in the common room.

 thought it unusual for you to be raising your voice; what seems to be the matter?

Ibara: ...I don’t know. Bloody Mary ended up like this, all of a sudden.

I had just intended to provide her with a bit of training...

Yuzuru: I see… While I may be inexperienced, from my perspective the cause appears to be an excess of exertion. 

Ibara: Are you implying that it was my doing? That amount should have been nothing at all.

Yuzuru: For a military dog, perhaps. It is incredibly rigorous for a dog such as her, having been nurtured so.

Well, I do understand your sentiment. In the past, I happened to have driven King—that is, the dog we keep at the Himemiya residence—into a state of chronic fatigue.

 Ibara: ...It’s irritating, to have made the same mistake as you.

Yuzuru: Personal opinions aside, should you not get a move on?

Letting her rest might be sufficient, but you ought to bring her to a specialist at the veterinary clinic.

Ibara: I don’t need to hear it from you. That is exactly what I plan on doing. ...Let’s be off, Bloody Mary. 

A few hours later

Rinne: Hmm~ I swear it was by the bed… Oh nice, there we go.

Bloomy-chan, c’mere. I’m gonna play with ya with this Giant Iso-whatever plushie.

 

Ibara: Iso-whatever…? Aah, you mean that Giant Isopod. What a strange creature to be turned into a stuffed toy.

Play with her another day, if you wouldn’t mind. She’s only just come back from the clinic so she is still quite tired.

Ibara: (Just as Yuzuru thought, the cause of her exhaustion was too much exercise.

(They gave her an IV, and I was told that a night of rest should be enough to return her to normal state.)

 

Kanata: Aah, that is why she seems so “down”.

When you’re “down”, it is best to eat some “seasonal fish”.

“Tuna tailfin” is full of “nutrients”. Here you go ♪

Ibara: (I thought it best for her to settle down in the room with her owner’s scent, so I paid a visit to His Highness Hiyori’s dormitory room.)

(But I know if I leave her with these two, She will not be sleeping well tonight…)

Ibara: Offering her raw fish—and tailfin at that… Ah ha ha ha! What an amusing joke!

Kanata: It isn’t a joke, you know? “Tailfin” has lots of “imidazole dipeptides”—

Ibara: Oh, hold on just a moment! It seems that Bloody Mary is trying to tell us something.

What is it? ...I see, I see. Yes, yes. Oh, so you cannot fall asleep here!

Thank you both very much for your hospitality, but if that is what the lady wants then I suppose we must be on our way~!

Rinne: Huh? Bloomy-chan didn’t say anythin’.

Ibara: Oh no, I certainly understood her! We must simply be that close.

It may have only been for a short while, but thank you both for your time! Good night, sweet dreams~!

 

Ibara: (Haaah... I somehow managed to get through that one, but what to do now…)

(I don’t think I can trust my roommates, either. But dragging her around here and there would put quite the burden on her…)

 

Tsumugi: —I see, so that is what happened.

In that case, maybe I could make a bed for her, so she can fall asleep comfortably.

Ibara: Aah, there is no need for concern. I will take care of it myself.

Tsumugi: We should be there for each other in times of need, so please let me help. Saegusa-kun, even you must be tired from running back and forth between the dorms and the clinic all day.

Ibara: (I’m not that weak, but…)

Ibara: Understood. Then I suppose I shall take you up on your offer.

 

Midori: ...Yeah. I should probably help out too, I think...

Umm… Let me know if there aren’t enough blankets. You can borrow one of mine...

Ibara: Thank you very much for the help.

Midori: You’re welcome… I hope that Bloody Mary gets better soon.

...Tenma-kun, why have you been quiet this whole time? I figured you’d be, like, running around and yelling “it’s a dog~”.

 Are you bad with dogs, or something…?

 

Mitsuru: Nah. But I’m holding it aaall in right now. If I started movin’ around, I don’t think she’d be able to relax.

I’ll let loose once she’s all better. Then Mary and I can go dash dash in the courtyard together~!

Midori: Gotcha. Good job, thinking things through. 

Mitsuru: Yep, I’m so good! Ehehe...☆

Ibara: (...I assumed that Tenma-shi would be clamoring about, bringing attention to himself. I suppose I was needlessly worried.)

(You can take your time to rest up, with all this—get well soon, Bloody Mary.)

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frontline watchdog 7

 

Saegusa Ibara’s childhood, on the training grounds of the private military facility

Ibara: (Reaching the target location. Now, on standby until the target arrives…)

(I’m dead tired and starving. I wanna just get this extermination over with and go sleep for a few days…)

(….Nn, something’s nudging my foot.)

Ibara: Who—! ...Oh.

It’s just a dog… Food? You saw I was hungry and thought to bring me something? 

How humiliating, being shown mercy by a dog of all things… Who in their right mind would eat that.

You’re getting in the way of my training, so get lost! Shoo, shoo!

 

… Why’re ya stickin’ to me like that. I told you, go away~

Ugaah!? Ughh, don’t lick my face…!

 

Ibara: (Agh, yuck… there’s some lukewarm stuff slobbered all over my face now…)

Ibara: ...Whether it be a dream or reality, I certainly am being licked.

Good morning, Bloody Mary. It’s good to see you perked up again.

Are you hungry, perhaps? Alright, there’s nutritional food I received from the clinic—Oh.

I must have misplaced it… Perhaps I left it behind in the common room.

Since you’re in better spirits, let’s go there together.

 

Ibara: Even this early in the morning and you’re scarfing it all down. Well, I suppose this is better than having no appetite at all.

...I’m glad that you’re back to your usual self. If anything had happened, I would have rather not had to lower my head to His Highness Hiyori.

*yawns* Hnn…

 

 Yuzuru: ...Oh. How rare to see you yawning like that.

Good morning. Fufu, this truly is quite the peaceful sight.

Ibara: Yuzuru...

Yuzuru: I assume you’d like to ask me what I am doing here? After yesterday’s events, I decided to pay your dormitory a visit and see how everything played out.

I had figured you would be in the courtyard, and thus my suspicions were realized.

Ibara: ...Hmph. I bet you thought you could ridicule me for being out of sorts?

Unfortunately for you, Bloody Mary is in perfect health, as you can see.

Yuzuru: Why must you twist my words so… I am relieved to see you both in good health.

It is completely removed from any sort of malintent. As your former instructor, I simply did not want to see you in such a pitiful state, genuinely at a loss for what to do. ♪

Ibara: Ahahaha ☆ If you’d rather not see that, then perhaps I should gouge out your eyes for you?

Yuzuru: Why don’t you give it a try. I’ll gouge out your life itself before you even lay a finger on me.

Aaah, that dog is coming this way… What is the matter—did I do something, perhaps?

Ibara: Looks like she wants you to take her for a walk. Why don’t you take her around for a bit?

Oh, now she’s coming over to me… Would you like me to accompany you as well?

I must refuse. Run along with Yuzuru, now.

Yuzuru: ...It seems she would like your company as well, like it or not. What shall we do?

Ibara: Aah, fine… I understand. Just this once, especially for you.

Yuzuru: Fufu. You’ve thoroughly submitted yourself to that dog, haven’t you. 

Ibara: She is His Highness Hiyori’s beloved dog, so I must be devoted to her. And by the way, Yuzuru… it’s “Bloody Mary”.

Yuzuru: Hmm…?

Ibara: Bloody Mary. It’s her name, you know. Calling her “that dog” is rude.

 

Isn’t that right, Bloody Mary.

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frontline watchdog 8 (END)

 

 

Hiyori: I’m hooome! Here here here, my darling Bloodstained Mary! Your Master has returned to you!

Ibara: Welcome home, Your Highness Hiyori! This Saegusa Ibara has spent every second of the day awaiting your return! Salute~ ☆

Hiyori: Yes yes, I have finally arrived! Ooh, I’d love a “Welcome Home” party!

 

Jun: A party’s a bit much, you know...

Nagi-senpai helped look after Mary too, right?

Thanks so much for taking care of her. I hope she didn’t cause any trouble for you guys, was she all good?

 

Nagisa: ...Yes. Bloody Mary is a good girl.

...I enjoyed myself, spending time with her. It was very worthwhile.

Hiyori: You sure look happy, Nagisa-kun! If you’re smiling, I can’t help but feel happy too!

I want to hear all about what happened while I was gone! Jun-kun, go get some tea for us, please!

Jun: Yeah, yeah. We should take out some of the souvenirs we brought back, they’d go well with some tea.

There’s rice crackers filled with mugwort. They’re just plain delicious, I have to say~

Nagisa: ...I wonder what they taste like. I’m looking forward to them.

...Would I be able to hear from both of you as well?. I would like to hear about what you saw and what you experienced.

Hiyori: Of course! I shall delve into all the details of my glorious adventure!

Nagisa: ...Adventure? Weren’t you in the countryside?

Jun: I’m sure we’ll be here for an hour or so. This one here got lost on some mountain behind the lodge that were we staying at~

We searched for him like crazy. And of course, when we found him, our runaway in question was frolicking around in a spring. 

Hiyori: It was the discovery of the century! The locals even told me they had no clue about it!

Hiyori: They named it the “Hiyori Spring”! I’ll take you there someday, Nagisa-kun!

 

Ibara: (...At long last, the weight has been lifted.)

(I’m through with looking after animals. I’ll have to secure a pet sitter capable of working on short notice, so that I never make this mistake again.)

 

Yuzuru: Good work, Ibara.

Ibara: ...How unpleasant. Why are you of all people congratulating me?

Yuzuru: I simply saw how hard you worked. I thought I’d praise you, even from an outsider’s perspective. ♪

How was it, spending time with that dog—er, Bloody Mary? Do you have any desire to keep your own pet, now?

Ibara: ...That might not be the worst idea. Dogs are obedient, and if I train up a competent breed, it could serve as a shield for when the time comes. 

You never know when a two-faced dog will turn its fangs on you, so you can never let your guard down.

That being said, I believe I’ll hold off. I am occupied with idol work and acting as the Vice President, so I don’t have the spare time to be fussing over animals.

 

Ibara: Besides, isn’t it much more amusing to have control over people, rather than a dog?

Yuzuru: Say what you will, but it seems they quite like opening up to you, don’t you think?

Ibara: ....Hmph. That is just some willful attachment on their part. Dogs are those sorts of creatures, after all.

Ibara: (They do say that dogs are a man’s best friend. In my case, my closest friend is no one but myself.)

(That’s right, I don’t have the free time to be concerned with such things. For the sake of a promising future, I must power through the battlefield with nary a glance away!)

(I will survive, using everything that can be used! Assault! Invade! Conquer! Ahahahaha...☆)

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