Proof of Resolve

Ceremony Grounds

1

Kafka

HAMA will no longer be accepting the subsidy from Tokyo!

Hakkei

Wh… What is the meaning of this, Kafka? I mean, Mayor!

Kafka

Oh, so you do approve of me becoming mayor after all. What an honor. ♪ Well, of course you do.

Hakkei

That is not the issue here. You plan to reject the subvention from Tokyo? HAMA is barely hanging on with our support as is!

Hama Citizen A

H-He’s got a point…

Hama Citizen D

No more support fund… HAMA hitting rock bottom…

Kaede

(…Kafka, why are you doing this?)

Kafka

No need to worry. I fully intend on revitalizing HAMA during my term as mayor, but in order to do that, changes have to be made.

I understand that it is a bold measure, but the first thing we must do is break away from the restrictions placed upon us as a result of us accepting the paltry aid from the capital.

Hakkei

And where else would you find funding if not for that “paltry aid”?

This is not a game. This whole city’s livelihood rests in your hands. Do you understand?

*murmuring*

Kafka

I’ve decided to invest all of my personal assets into forming a travel agency to supervise HAMA-18.

And its name is HAMA Tours!

Our company will be in charge of directing HAMA’s entire tourism industry and creating fresh, novel tour packages for our visitors. All of our revenue will act as a replacement for the Tokyo subsidy.

Hakkei

Hah! It sounds like something a child would think up. The tourism industry is not that simple! Do you intend to bring HAMA to ruin, Kafka?!

If you wish to abuse your position as mayor to use this city as a playground, I will not allow it under any terms!

Kafka

…A playground, huh?

Hakkei

…!

Kafka

I’ll have you know that I’m putting everything on the line here.

010

Hama Citizen A

Is that the president of HAMA’s largest bank?! They’re…shaking hands?!

Kaede

(Kafka… You met with the president of the Bank of HAMA? When?!)

Hakkei

What is…

Kafka

I met with him the other day, and he agreed to lend us money if HAMA Tours ever had trouble funding itself. ♪

I’ve decided to invest not only my personal assets, but all of the Oguro family’s assets as well. This includes our house and all of the land that we own, as well as many of my mother’s patents. This means…

That if HAMA goes down, I’ll go down with it. I’m aware that I might lose everything. Does that sound like HAMA is a “playground” to me?

Hakkei

……

Kafka

Of course, I have no intentions of failing. I don’t expect to take out any additional loans either. So, citizens of HAMA…

I’m asking all of you to take the risk with me to revitalize our city. Would you take the bet?

*cheering*

Hama Citizen B

I’ve changed my mind! He’s clearly prepared for this, so I support him!

Hama Citizen C

Good luck out there, HAMA Tours! Call up my place if you wanna work together!

Hama Citizen D

New mayor ready to go… His confidence not just for show… HAMA’s biggest chance to grow…

Kaede

(The mood took a complete 180…! Kafka… I can’t believe you’re putting so much on the line. You’re amazing…!)

(I’ll try to do everything I can too! HAMA Tours has got this in the bag!)

Hakkei

Hmph… At least you’re prepared. Then do as you please. However!

I will not step down. Determination alone will not net you good reviews. I don’t know how far you expect to go with your current investment, but the tourism industry is deeper than you think. I’d like to see you try.

Kafka

…Oh, you’ll see, alright. And I’m sure we’ll exceed your expectations at that, Great Elder Hakkei.

Hakkei

Hmph!

HAMA Streets

2

Kafka

Thanks for coming, Kaede-chan. How was it? I did well, right?

Kaede

Kafka… I was so nervous the whole time. I’m glad it went well in the end. Everyone around me in the crowd was really shaken up when you talked about rejecting the subsidy.

Kafka

Huhhh, that didn’t sound like praise to me. I worked so hard too.

Kaede

You did, and I think that’s amazing! I really do! You just took a big risk, so…

Kafka

Yeah, I guess so. But I knew there were a lot of people in the audience who really care about HAMA and its tourism industry. They all want to take it into their own hands somehow.

Nothing will change if us big wigs are the only ones working on this. I want every resident to feel like we can all save HAMA together. I want there to be hope.

News Reporter

<⁠Mayor Oguro Kafka also announced his newly-founded travel agency, HAMA Tours, at the ceremony.⁠>

Kafka

Ah, look at the screen over there! They’re showing our company logo!

Screen

Kaede

Our…company logo…

…I mean, it’s cute, but…why is there a dog?

Kafka

Because I’m a dog person. ♪ I thought you knew that. Oh, and I plan to find someone to make a theme song for us too.

Kaede

The dog’s not gonna show up in the song, right?

Kafka

You’ll find out when it’s done. ♪

Kaede

(…Kafka looks like he’s having fun. The ceremony freaked me out, but I think things will turn out okay if he can walk around smiling like that.)

(I’m starting to feel it too. I finally get to work to help out HAMA…!)

Kafka

……

I’ll send you the office address and work schedules on PeChat later. We start bright and early next Monday! Also, Kaede-chan…

As our very first employee, you’re going to be our chief!

Kaede

I’m the chief?! You’re just deciding that right off the bat?!

Kafka

Well, I do get to decide things as president. Let’s make this a good one, Chief. ♪

Kaede

Huhhh…? I can never get a word in with you…

(But I’m not mad about it. Actually, I’m kind of excited. I wanna give it a try. I think this might be what I’ve always wanted…)

(I’m taking my first step towards the shining sun.)

Kafka

It’s like the sun is pulling itself up out of the deep, dark ocean. There is hope for the future.

We can let everyone know there is through our work. I want… I want everyone to know there’s hope.

Kaede

…Yeah!

(I’m sure I’ll be meeting people from all walks of life from now on. I know that there are good things in store!)