frontline watchdog 5

[mireiarchive]

 

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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