Chapter 2
Ward 4 - Chinatown
Hooray, we got away!
Unlike me, Renchi’s got legs like lightning! As a reward, voilà! Have a taste of our signature meat bun!
I was seriously impressed when you came to rescue me! Mmm, this is so good! Perfectly warm and fluffy!
Hoho~. I've got toooons of data from all the people who ate the new meat buns–♪.
Adding those nanochips was definitely the right and best call~!
That's awesome! Nagi will definitely be happy too, to have a friend who cares so much about him.
Friend…
Renchi really values the word ‘friend’, huh?
O-of course! Friends are important.
Hmm... What exactly is Renchi’s definition of a 'friend'?
Definition…?
I'm curious about what 'friend' means to you. While I do have friends, I’m still a clueless freshman when it comes to understanding relationships.
(Though, Gii might also just be beginning his student career.1)
Ohh, so that's what you mean. Hm.... I haven't really thought about putting it into words before, but...
We’d probably be there for each other, with no strings attached.
Hmm. 'With no strings attached,' huh?
What’s wrong?
Gii and I might not be friends.
Huh!?
Gii and I, we're tied together by a contract as donor and recipient. We've been forced to become accomplices, each holding the other's life in our hands.
H-hm? What did you just sa–
*the sound of a car stopping in front of them*
Woah–!? A car just crashed into the alley!?
*Liguang steps out of the car with Laika*
You’re wasting my time.
Jaba jaba~.
Liguang!? We gotta run, Kotaro!!
Plus, that provision was written very favorably for me…
What are you mumbling about?! This way!
*Renga drags Netaro, running away*
Back Alley
Haah, haah… did we lose him? That guy’s pretty slow…
Even if we try to be 'friends' with each other, it'd be hard to tell if we're truly acting like it since we’re practically still at that level of grade schoolers.
Hey! How long are you going to keep mumbling fo–
H-HUH!!?? ARE YOU CLIMBING UP THE WALLS OF THE BUILDING!?!?
Mm. ….Ah. Oops.
(I was so lost in my thoughts that I took off my shoes and tried to get away by walking on the walls without realizing it.)
W-wow, that’s so cool…wait— no, are you even human…???
(Renchi looks so bewildered. Humans don't climb walls, huh? I see, I get it.)
Mmm a—...
(Somehow, I suddenly feel like… this is becoming a hassle.)
…...........Should I just eat you up?
????
(But if that happens, I feel like Gii and I will drift even further away from being 'friends'–)
Netaro.
!
Nagi! What brings you here…
I heard the two of you were causing a scene in Chinatown, so I was worried. I'm glad to see that you two are fine.
No, more importantly, Kotaro started climbing the wal—
Ah—.
…
Well, no, it's not that surprising among the Night Group, but Netaro's inventions have been evolving at lightning speed. He developed these suction cups that attach to the soles of his feet so he can walk up the walls. But, first… Netaro, get down from there.
Still... his core strength is incredible. Could it be that Kotaro...
Gulps.
...is capable of becoming a circus performer!?!?!
…
Actually, yeah. I've also felt like he had the talent, so I've been helping Netaro practice juggling late at night.
We're going to start juggling with these meat buns here. Okay, Netaro. Let's try with five of them first. Ey.
Eh? Hoy. Hoy. Hoy.
Let's toss in three steamers, too.
Hoy hoy hoy—!
Whoaaaa, that's amazing...! I've seen some street performances before, but this is on a whole ‘nother level!
–ah, a call from my manager! I'll be right back.
*Renga leaves*
…..
Phew… I’m glad we managed to cover things up. That being said, maybe it’s for the best if you stop walking on walls.
Gii, why’d you come?
Why? As I mentioned earlier, I was worried.
That’s it? No strings attached?
Hm? Yea. Since this is the first time a friend shared a secret with me, I want to protect it properly.
Also, I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble if you got caught.
By ‘trouble’, you mean…?
Like getting caught by humans? Or being forcibly deported? Is that not going to happen? Well, if not, then that’s good...
Hohhhhhh.
Somehow, the middle of my chest is making a 'thump thump' sound…
‘Thump thump’?
Just finished my call—
You’re done?
Shit, Liguang!
This farce stops here. I’ve caught you.
This was more than enough! Looking at my huuuuge collection of data, the development of the new meat bun was a great success♪! And now—
Gii, eat up!! Take 3 of these for the morning, afternoon, and evening!!
Mnn?!
That was your morning portion, and this one's for lunch!
Guuguu.. help………..
O-oi… If you stuff it into his mouth like that...
Isn't he going to suffocate…!?
Ka~!?
This is how I want to pay you back~ No strings attached!
Pipipi, popopo♪ Jiiiii–gagaga!
Report back to mother planet: mission complete~!
Doubt! Doubt!
Ahaha! It's just a bunch of nonsense in the report, buuuut who's gonna notice, anyway?
This planet ain't ready for an apocalypse just yet!♪