Epilogue of R1ze SIDE:B

I wonder what we should get. Everyone in the company’s a pretty big eater… I feel like the Noon Team kids would like some salty snacks.

Ahem. Um… Chief. Uh, so… Is there anything you want?

Like, snacks? I’d like some choco pies.

Hm? Uhh, I can’t really think of anything off the top of my head.

But…! Can you at least try to think of something?!

Umm… Oh!

I get really happy when everyone gives me their weekly report tapes!

…That’s it?

They mean a lot to me. I was especially happy when I listened to you thanking me in the tape you gave me after our KOBE trip.

I still listen to it every now and then.

Wha⁠— You…! Why would you relisten to that?! And don’t just tell me about it! I-It’s embarrassing…!

Eheh… Well, it made me happy, so I planned to tell you about it someday.

It was a really heartfelt message, so I listen to it when I feel stressed out or upset over work to feel better. It’s super encouraging. So I’m grateful to you for it, Renga-kun.

……

Plus, people’s voices portray their feelings really directly. And if you record over something on a cassette tape, the previous recording is gone, so that makes it even more precious…

That’s why Kafka and I did a cassette tape exchange diary when we were kids. I think I’ve always liked listening to people’s voices recorded on tape.

…Gotcha.

Um… Do you relisten to the other leaders’ tapes too?

Of course I do! As a HAMA Tours employee, I really treasure all of them.

……

I’m so tired after carrying all of those groceries…

It’s because I kept falling over… President Oguro, I’m so, very sorry… The light of the holy land blinded my pauper eyes…

Sorry, Yukikaze! Couldja help me carry these?! I’ll make up for it later!

Hm…? Why did Renga just run off to his room? Is everything okay?

Whatever, let’s just carry everything inside already. I’m starving.

…Boss, may I have a moment?

…We can talk after the Ninokuruwa brat is gone.

It’s about our current operation. We found Kiba’s hideout, but he wasn’t there when we infiltrated.

…What about the mole we planted?

He was discovered floating down the river.

So he’s gone?

No, he was still breathing. He’s currently residing in the organization’s hospital.

Tch.

As you had predicted, Kiba seems to have destroyed all information pertaining to Nishizono Renga.

Should we continue to keep a watch on the location where Nishizono Renga communicates with him?

No, it’s fine.

If he’s already gone this far, he won’t do anything to make his presence known to us. We need another plan.

Thank the grunt who worked on this for me.

…As you wish.

(Hiding yourself again, Kiba?)

(Your efforts will be useless… I won’t go easy on you this time.)

Alright, everything sounds good…!

Now that my part is done, next is…

Bro, the decor ideas won’t stop flowin’! We should make the living room look really wa-boosh and sha-bam! Like a Clockwork Apple¹ kinda vibe!

…You’re barely even speaking Japanese at this point.

Akuta…! Can I talk to you?

Oh? What’s up?

…So, yeah. Does that sound good?

Ooh, got it. Sounds like we gotta hit it outta the park!

Nice idea, Renga-san! I totally respect you now, dude! Bam, bam!

Ah, that hurts! Don’t smack me!

I’ll hang onto the goods for you! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to get in the kitchen and do some cookin’!