Dog Days

[nebulancer]

Yuzuru: I apologize, Anzu-san.

For you to be simply accompanying me in the middle of summer vacation, I am ashamed to trouble you.

Moreover, although it was my responsibility in the first place, I even made you come on King's walk.

Yes. That dog is that which I am entrusted with, Young Master's pet dog, quite the cherished Golden Retriever...

Called, King.

Do you like dogs? As for myself, I am rather on bad terms with them...?

I believe I must conquer this, however, in order to be absolutely perfect, a servant without flaw.

I mustn't eliminate trauma from my early childhood's state of mind halfheartedly.

King, as well, has attained calm after much time; however, though I understand that there is a possibility that I must invite greater harm to myself...

It cannot be helped, as my weak consciousness has triumphed. After all, in the same way as Young Master, King, too, has steadily tormented me.

"To bite, to bark, to be pushed down~" this way would be cuter, but is it truly because of these many skillful, yet malignant, deeds that a dog begins to distrust me...

Aah, just thinking of it gives me the chills.

This dog must certainly think of me as a lower rank than himself. As his pride is high, he matches his owner this way.

However, I am relieved that he seems to have warmed up to you, Anzu-san.

Upon Young Master's orders, I had no choice but to bring King to this park...

If it were only myself, no matter how hard I worked, it would have been quite difficult.

It seems I am relying on Anzu-san. My deepest apologies that I made such a busy "Producer" accompany me for something of personal usage.

I am only embarrassed of my own inexperience.

"It's fun," you say? You like dogs, yes? For you to be saying that in itself, I have been saved as well...♪

Koga: Yo, Fushimi! Over here, here! You're too slow! Were you lazyin' around or somethin'?

Yuzuru: Oh my, Oogami-sama. What a coincidence to see you here...?

Koga: Huh? You didn't hear anythin'?

Subaru: Gami-san, Gami-san! Look, look, it's all dogs in this park! But their fur's so fluffy the heat's really unbearable~, and their barking's making my ears start to hurt! Ahahaha☆

Koga: Don't be runnin' around like the dogs, too. Just stop movin', why don't you; you're annoyin'. Like me and Leon, stay still and good'n all.

Subaru: Oh, Gami-san's dog! It's been a while~, you're as pretty as always☆

Koga: It's Leon, you know, so call 'em by his name. Daikichi's manly like he always is.

Subaru: That's wrong, totally wrong! He got fat over the summer, y'know~? He's like a mochi now, that's why he's gotta move around a lot!

Dash, dash, yanno~, imitating that kid from "Ra*bits"♪

Yuzuru: What could these circumstances be... Ohh, whether I look right or left, all I see are dogs, dogs, dogs!

Subaru: What's up, you're looking kinda pale? Summer fever? All right, I'll go and buy a sports drink for you! That's why, gimme some small change, change please♪

Yuzuru: You are "Trickstar"'s... Akehoshi-sama, correct?

Subaru: Yeah, you're "fine"'s Fusshi~ right? I think this is the first time we've got to talk properly, ahaha☆

Yuzuru: Fooshy~...?

Subaru: But this is pretty rare, though~, that "fine" does this kinda carefree job?

Yuzuru: It is a job, correct? What could you mean...?

Subaru: Huh, I get the feeling that you didn't know anything but just brought your dog here on a walk by chance? But you're properly wearing your "unit" clothes, aren't you... Uu~mu?

Yuzuru: Yes, because that was instructed from Young Master...?

Subaru: Oh, I see. Today we're doing an "Idol and Dog Photo Session" in this park.

It's gonna be featured in some magazine, but there's actually a lot of people who have dogs, y'know~?

Wearing your idol outfit, smiling with your dog, and making a peace sign☆ It's an easy job that just about anyone can do!

In the entertainment world, animals with kids are a sure deal~! Probably♪

Of course, because it's with dogs, the photo session's outside, not in a studio like it always is.

Whew~, wearing the outfit like this, with the fluffy fur from the dogs, and playing around with them too, I've gotten hot☆

Yuzuru: I understand now, and for this sake... Young Master ordered me to walk King to this park, indeed.

How upsetting. Afterwards, I must severely deliver punishment.

You knew about this, Anzu-san?

Hm... So it was your idea. As a "Producer" you must surely have quite the number of jobs on your hands.

I shall lower my head; you are working hard as always♪

Ah, there is no need for you to apologize. I believe I must fulfill this with my utmost if it is of Anzu-san's planning. For I have always been in your care.

However, this is quite the quandary. I doubt King will listen to what I ask...

As this is a photo session, it is necessary to quietly look forward at the camera and "stare" at it.

If such were the case, Young Master should have been the one to do so himself... After all, King is not my dog.

Rather, is it all right for me to participate in this photo session?

Subaru: Why not? I'm getting pictures with other dogs too, anyways, ahaha☆

Fusshi~, it feels like you're not good with dogs? If so, how about we try and have you take a picture with smaller dogs or something to get you used to them?

Like one that you can carry, or something~, my Daikichi here's a good fit♪

In the meantime, I'll go play with Fusshi~'s dog! C'mere, c'mere☆

If he gets tired playing around, he'll quiet down during the photo session because he's "completely exhausted", won't he♪

Koga: Hehe. Unlike me, that Fushimi, with his prim and proper face is...

Like in some kinda gag manga, I wanna see his cryin' eyes being photographed even if he gets his butt bitten by a dog♪

Yuzuru: Uuu. How malicious, Oogami-sama... I've been working with all my ability to get along with King.

King is, after all, the property of the Himemiya household which I serve.

I have determined that my role is to allow them to be the most brilliant as possible.

L-look, King... Please come over here♪

Eek!? This dog almost bit me! Indeed, he does not listen to what I say?

Koga: Dumbass, why don'tcha act a bit stiffer. Dogs are sensitive to your fear, and they can pick up on it. If you keep your guard up, they'll be able to listen to what you say even if it's lowly.

Connect with 'im as equal partners, get it?

Yuzuru: E-even if you say such a thing...?

Subaru: Hey, hey! First off, why don't you try holding Daikichi?

This guy gets clingy with anyone that's got sparkly things on and stuff~, "fine"'s outfit's pretty sparkly isn't it? So, here you go~☆

Yuzuru: Ohh, he's profoundly heavy... D-Daikichi-san is his name? To have today be fortunate as well~, eerm?¹

Subaru: You're too tense~, relax, relax♪

Yuzuru: Uuu. I believe this seems to be somewhat resembling my first job. That time, simply standing upon the stage made my entire body quiver.

Ahh, I had wished that Young Master had told me "Don't forget your excitement at starting something new" back then...♪

No, wait, the possibility that I was only being pushed into simply a bothersome job was high as well!

Subaru: Ahaha. Well, there are lots of kinds of jobs for idols, so anything goes as experience. Bu~t, somehow, is was that kinda high and mighty for a member of "fine"?

Yuzuru: No. I can only be embarrassed of my own ignorance. Indeed, to complete perfectly any tasks given is thus a butler... Nay, that is an idol.

I must overcome my dislike towards dogs.

For that... Everyone, I must be wholly dragging you down. But please, could I request your assistance?

Subaru: Alright~, we're comrades in this same Yumenosaki Academy, after all! It's a different place's job, so let's just forget about stuff like "unit" connections!

Putting aside ranks~, let's work together for good results☆

Koga: I'll accept you if you wanna like dogs more. Tch, don't get too friendly though, 'kay? Hey Leon, why don't ya greet a new friend?

Yuzuru: Fufu. This has become somewhat of a mysterious scene...♪

No. Anzu-san surely does these types of jobs every day, correct? Without listening to what they say, you hold the reins tightly on uncountable, numerous idols.

You have my admiration. I, as well, shall be compliant to Anzu-san... No, much like a dog faithfully serving, I would like to think of you first with sociability.

With that, um, Anzu-san... Please. Help me. This Daikichi-san which I have been holding is now stuck to my face.

Subaru: Ahaha, it's gotten to be something really stupid~♪ Come on, Daikichi, it looks like Fusshi~ can't breathe, so let go already~?

Koga: Hmph. It's summer vacation, but this group of people's cawin' around like always... right, Leon♪



¹- Because Daikichi's name is written with the kanji for "big fortune" in Japanese, and Yuzuru doesn't know how to handle him well, he tries to make a joke with fortune and Daikichi's name.