Engage Kiss

- Not only is our orgonium output for this year

set to exceed that of last year’s output,

but it seems the overall importance of Bayron City

has increased throughout the world as well.

I’m sorry I haven’t dropped by lately.

My school’s final exams were this week.

But I’m sure you just bought bento while I was gone.

You really are something else, Shu.

I mean, what would you do without me?

- Eh? -

- -

- It’s a simple contract, really.

And since we’ll be handling

all negotiations with the other party,

you don’t need to worry about a thing.

- Still... -

- could I consult with my friends first?

Just curious.

Are you eating at home?

- This is the first time I’ve eaten in three days.

Oh. How’s your work going?

It’s fine. It’s fine...

when you look at the big picture.

- How long has it been since you worked?

- I mean, it hasn’t really been that long,

at least when you think about the length of a human life.

Ah, jeez.

I figured this would happen.

I don’t know if you’re trying to prove a point here,

but it’s useless if you can’t even support yourself.

- - Eh?

I’ll manage.

I made up my mind

that I’m only accepting jobs that are worth doing.

- How long are you going to keep clinging

- to the past? - Okay. Sign here.

You gotta stop having such a backward way of thinking

and think about your future for a change, Shu.

It’s your life, isn’t it?

- Thanks, but I can decide for myself

what my past and future will look like.

- -

Uh...

I mean, you said it yourself, Ayano.

It’s my life after all, right?

Wait a minute!

That’s even more reason--

- Mm. I decided this when I quit your company,

- and I’m sticking to it. -

- I’ll give it everything I’ve got by myself.

Even if I starve to death or die in solitude,

I won’t regret my decision.

Really?

Uh...

- But you’re not all by yourself right now.

And it looks like someone’s been feeding you.

But like you said, it’s your life.

I’m sure you’ll manage.

All right!

That’s enough chitchat.

Let’s talk about work, shall we?

You think they’ll take this on?

- If this information is real, then we’ll consider it.

Let’s see.

Spaghetti and a sandwich

- should be about... - Oh, drop the act. I got it.

Uh...

Well, hopefully they’ll go for it.

- W-Wait! - Hmm?

For next time...

can I be the one that contacts you?

Uh...

Of course.

I don’t mind.

But...

But what?

- See, I actually haven’t been paying

my cell phone bill, so they might cut me off.

Give me that invoice!

I’m so sorry about this!

Hmm?

- Welcome back. - Huh?

- - Agh!

You’re home so late, Shu.

- Please stop waiting in the dark like a home intruder.

You’re gonna give me a coronary.

- I had a hard time cooking without electricity.

- That said, it seems like you did a pretty good job, though.

You really think so?

I tried so hard for you.

Y-Yeah.

- Then what are we waiting for? Let’s eat!

Uh, yeah.

Sorry, but I sort of just ate out, so...

I see. That makes sense.

I-I suppose there’s nothing I could have done about that.

And I did do this without you asking me.

- It’s just that I’ve gotten used

to not eating at home lately.

That’s because I haven’t had any money to eat with.

I’m sorry. It’s my fault, really.

I couldn’t drop by for a while,

and having exams at school isn’t a good enough excuse.

But I’m sure you know that already,

so then why am I telling you this?

You probably didn’t even notice I was gone, did you?

Why am I even here? Why am I even alive?

Suddenly I’m starving!

It’s a good thing you made food!

Tasty?

More like cold.

Eh, I mean, wow. It’s delicious.

I’m so glad!

Anyways, if you were having trouble

putting food on the table,

you should have just told me earlier.

Well, I remember you said

you’d be busy with exams this week.

And it’s not fair to call you over

just because I can’t manage to get any work.

- Aww. You know, the worst part about you

is that you’re too kind to get upset with.

Uh...

Eh, okay.

Don’t get me wrong.

I’m happy that you were worried about me,

but you don’t have to always be so considerate.

Oh. Well, if you say so...

Because after all, deep down,

I know you’re capable of getting work

and doing so much more.

And I know as long as you put your heart

into what you’re doing, nothing can get in your way.

- I appreciate the compliment. Thanks!

Huh? Now, that’s strange.

There’s another woman’s scent on you.

- I was out in the city most of the day.

I probably just bumped into somebody.

Eh?

You might not have electricity,

but at least you still have water.

Yeah, but I need to do something about all of this quickly

before it starts to hinder my work plans.

No need to worry.

I already took care of all the payments.

The electricity should be back on tomorrow if we’re lucky.

Wait. What?

Are you sure?

- Yeah. I still have enough savings

to pay about a month’s worth of living expenses.

- You’re really okay with using your hard-earned money

on something like this?

- It’s fine. I mean, it’s not like I have

any real use for money anyway.

So if it can be of use for you, then...

I see.

This is perfect.

Huh?

- -

Hey! Bayron City Express here.

So I ordered something,

telling them I’d pay for it in person,

and I thought I’d definitely have to cancel,

but if you have the money...

What?

It’s all over.

We can’t keep living like this anymore, Shu!

Hopefully the afterlife is cheap,

because it’s our only option now.

Overdosing on sleeping pills

isn’t going to solve our problems.

- Thank you, my one and only follower.

I’m sorry that I couldn’t properly give you a goodbye.

- Relax. I’m gonna give you your money back

as soon as I get some more work.

I know you said that,

but you haven’t worked at all in three months.

There’s been plenty of auctions,

but you never even try to win them.

Yeah, well, you’ll see.

The case I’ve been researching lately,

I have a feeling it’s gonna come any day now.

- But you said the same thing last month

and the month before that.

- Okay, but this time is different!

This month’s rent money

went into purchasing some great intel.

- - Here it comes!

[mellow electronic music playing]