Bumps in the Road

(We ran into some trouble at the beginning, but we made it to KOBE! We checked into our hotel too… Now we can finally explore!)

Let’s start by checking out the harbor. Some parts are similar to HAMA, so it’ll be good reference material.

Cool. Renga-san, let’s look around together.

Y-Yeah…! That’s fine with me. I’ll make an exception…!

It does kind of remind me of HAMA, but…

Something on your mind, Chief?

There are a lot of women around here. Everybody looks really upbeat and happy.

I came to KOBE to survey the area before the current Ward 0 mayor took over. It wasn’t this prosperous back then.

It seems as though the new Ward 0 mayor succeeded in reinvigorating the city’s tourism industry.

(I see… I didn’t know a new mayor could change so much about the city. Liguang-san seems to know a lot about tourism.)

Minamo, we missed you so much!

We’re back in town! We wanted to get another fill of KOBE!

Oh, Satou-san and Tanaka-san. It’s been three months, hasn’t it? Has work lightened up for you two? I’m happy to see you here again.

Heheh, this time, we fully booked out the Oshikiri Minamo Tour Plan for two whole days!

All to make loooots of new, precious memories with you!

Really? I’m so glad to hear that. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

W-What’s going on…?

That’s…Oshikiri Minamo. He’s the KOBE Ward 2 mayor. He’s very popular for his hospitality services, so it might be worth it to try and replicate what he does.

Huhhh? You want us to kiss up to our guests like that? A Nishizono would never be caught doing something so unclassy!

Tch… An unaccomplished moron like you shouldn’t speak. Who do you expect to win over with that pompous attitude?

Huh?! Liguang, you tryna pick a fight with me again?!

People should visit us because they actually love HAMA, not because they wanna be pampered!

You must live in a fairytale if you believe that HAMA is in a position to cherry-pick who deserves to visit.

What was that…?!

No fightiiiing. Although I will admit that Liguang has a point.

There’s a difference between hospitality and pandering. I think you might be blinded by your pride here, Renga.

I-I just…! As a Nishizono, I have to carry on HAMA’s history…!

Even if we can’t bring in happy-go-lucky visitors like that, all we need is a high quality tour package, and people will start comin’ in naturally!

Have you no grip on reality? There’s no reasoning with you.

…Argh, Liguang, you asshole…!

Can’t you get along for now, my little brothers?

Let’s just get outta here. People are staring.

Huh, is that Nishizono Renga?

It is! Wait, I saw Kamina Yukikaze too!

I saw him on TV yesterday! Let’s get his autograph!

(Ah…! They saw us! Oh no, we have to handle this well, or else HAMA’s reputation will take a hit!)

W-What’s wrong with them? They’re coming towards us…

Uh-oh. I told you.

Now that I think about it, I forgot to put on my disguise.

Th-There’s no place to run…!

Renga-kun! All of you! Let’s do our best to provide hospitality in the name of HAMA!

H-Huh? I don’t wanna do anything to help out KOBE…

But you’re a celebrity, right? I know you’re strong enough to handle it!

…!

Hmph! I expect you to follow me from now on, commoners.

Ahaha! They weren’t kidding! His ego is gigantic!

Frame my autograph in pure gold! “All that matters to me…is the real deal.”

Oh, my god! He said it! We got to hear THE Nishizono Renga catchphrase in person! I’m so glad I came to KOBE.

See you, Nishizono Renga!

Stop saying my full name like that!

Dammit, in the end, it only helped out KOBE… They probably wouldn’t even consider coming to HAMA…

(Phew, we made it through… Renga-kun may have a sailor’s mouth, but he’s still a celebrity. Everyone walked away happy…)

Excuse me… You’re all mayors from HAMA, right? Thank you so much for the help.

…You’re one of the mayors here, yeah? All you’re doing out here is kissing your guests’ asses, so we ended up doing the same thing.

Wh⁠—

But they’re all just praising KOBE now. Your unclassy piece of shit method did nothing to help us!

H-Hey, Renga-kun…!

Tch… That’s enough, you dimwit. What are you, a toddler?

You got a problem, Liguang?! What, I can’t even have an honest opinion now?!

Nothing about that is honest. It’s uncouth, unintelligent, and an indicator that you don’t know your place.

What makes you think you have the right to criticize KOBE’s Ward 2 mayor?

I… I’m a visitor right now! I’m allowed to tell him what I think!

If that’s the only thing you can come up with, you’ll stay an imbecile until the day you die. Stop embarrassing yourself!

Wh…!

Liguang, stop adding fuel to the fire. It won’t help anyone. Besides, you’re worrying the Ward 2 mayor here.

I-I’m so sorry. Did the guests from before do something to upset you…?

*sigh…* I need some space.

Oguro, put a leash on that dog over there. If you don’t, this ship is doomed to sink, and I won’t help you when it does.

*sigh* Now it’s all on me. What to do…

…What the hell? Why am I the bad guy here?

Fuck it, I’m leaving too!

Ah… Renga-kun!

Y-Yachiyo-kun, can you handle the team for now? I’m gonna try and bring Renga-kun back.

W-Whuhhh, m-me?!

Ah, I can go talk to him. Y’know, since we’re friends.

You need to stay. You came here to observe.

I’ll leave up to you, Chief. Help him cool off a little.

Thank you, Kafka! I’ll be back!

(Renga-kun did go too far, but… Liguang-san’s normally even-tempered, so why does he only start things when it comes to Renga-kun?)

(I need to focus on bringing Renga-kun back for now!)

……

(There he is…! He still looks upset…)

Renga-kun…

…! Why’d you follow me?!

Well…because I’m worried about you?

Let’s go back. We can talk things out…

…Did you say the same thing to Liguang?

…Well, umm… I figured Liguang-san would come back on his own once he calmed down…

…I knew it. You think Liguang’s right and that I’m just being stupid!

(That’s not… But I guess he’s half right? I do think that Liguang’s reasoning made sense…)

Whatever. I’ll just look around on my own.

W-Wait, Renga-kun! Can we at least do it together?

Why?! Leave me alone!

W-Wow, you’re stubborn. I just wanted to walk around with you.

Shut up! I’m just gonna run!

Ah! He ran off!

(If he’s gonna be like that, then…!)

*pant, pant, pant…* What’s your problem…?

*pant, pant…* I’m just…doing my job…

Welcome to the famous KOBE Ferris wheel! Just the two of you?

…Huh?

It’ll be 800 yen each! You don’t have tickets? Ah, but the cabin’s already here, so you can just pay after! In you go!

What? Stop pushi⁠— Woah!

Wait, please don’t push u⁠— Ahh!

Enjoy your view of KOBE!

……

I guess we’re on a Ferris wheel now…