Ring Wandering (リング・ワンダリング)

No.

- Who? - Huh?

Where are you from?

- Tokyo, but... - Oh, really? Me too.

You too?

Hey.

It's a dog.

Can I have it?

It's a Japanese wolf.

Is that so? Something seems off.

Like the shape of the nose.

Don't act like you know everything. There are no more wolves around.

No, they're probably still here. Maybe even here.

Hahaha, are you... alright in the head?

Same to you.

Next time, I'll take a photo and show you.

Mmm...

Hey, over there. Stop messing around.

Yes.

Can't you train properly...

- Hey, it's a 15-minute break. - Yes, break time.

Hello? Oh, thank you. Yes.

Ah, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Yes, yes...

Ah... It's so damn cold.

Oh, what's that? It's tingling.

Just because he's the president's son, he can't do anything. Bonbon acts so important.

Ah, one site is still halted, so I'm getting anxious.

Huh? Oh, it's still not okay?

Yeah, it's that place, the one in the athlete's village, right?

Yeah, yeah, that's right. Because it might become a cultural heritage site or something.

We can't touch it until the government finishes their investigation.

It's a miserable situation. If ruins are discovered...

So, just pretend we don't know and bury it. That's what we should do.

hahaha.

Yes.

- Hey, is it still not finished? - Huh?

No, it's a manga. I'm curious, so I want to know what happens next.

Ah!

I'm actually drawing it, but I can't draw the illustrations well.

Illustrations? It's my first time seeing a manga manuscript, so...

That alone surprised me, but hurry up and let me read it.

Hmm, it's about a wolf, right?

Ah, the Japanese wolf, i t's already extinct, right?

- Oh, really? Is that so? - Yeah, it is.

And because there is limited information, I don't know how to draw it.

Oh, I see. Wait, then why did you decide to draw something like that?

Aiming for the Rookie Something Award?

so I'm challenging myself with a difficult topic.

But gradually, I'm starting to lose understanding myself.

Hmm, well, your manga is definitely...

It's like it's cut out too much, or rather, it's hard to get into it.

I'm an amateur, so I don't really understand,

But shouldn't there be a bit more emotion or warmth...?

Without that, it doesn't really hit you, does it?

Well, this is a battle manga, about a skilled hunter and the strongest wolf...

It's a story about who's stronger.

Yeah, so warmth isn't necessary.

I see, I guess that's true.

But, what about the hunter's daughter, Kozue-chan?

- She died, right? - Right?

No matter what, isn't that pitiful?

What if there's a development where she's not really dead?

No, she dies.

Oh...

By dying, it highlights the man's solitude, right?

Kozue only exists for that purpose, as a character.

You know, manga artists are really amazing, like gods or something.

Well, do your best.

When you make your debut, I can brag about you too.

Well, first, I have to be able to draw properly.

Well, don't push yourself too hard, take a break for a bit.

Oh, by the way, there's a fireworks festival near the river tonight.

A fireworks festival? In this winter?

Well, I don't really understand, but you probably have someone you like too, right?

Invite them.

I don't have anyone like that.

No one? Idiot! That's why you're no good.

You need to have something that shines in everything you do.

Listen, the reason I started dating my wife,

when my job and everything else was a mess.

When I was in complete darkness, full of despair...

Well, it was at that time that I met my wife...

Oh, it seems like the break is almost over.

Wait a minute, listen to my story, we're not done yet.

Damn it.

What? Fireworks...?

Hey, what's wrong? Did something happen?

No, I hit a stone really hard...

My hand is numb, a stone?

Sorry.

- Be careful. - Yes.

They got you again, huh?

It might not be a bear, it's really...

No, the Dog God doesn't touch creatures in the mountains,

he doesn't lay a hand on things in human settlements.

Besides, we haven't heard of any sightings in the past few years.

But still, as Ginzo said...

Are you still hanging out with that Ginzo, who's like a curse?

Don't say stupid things, who hangs out with someone like him

He's gone mad, he doesn't have a human heart.

Hey, if you spread rumors...

- Let's go. - Yeah.

It's not an ordinary wolf.

I can't say for sure.

But even if it's not the Dog God's doing, we can't help it.

Over there, they have their master.

If we don't give in, we won't be able to stand our ground

Huh, the Dog God?

Like that, forever...

Because you guys keep treating wild animals as gods, that's why you're poor.

Even though important cows and birds have been killed...

Don't quietly accept it, don't make me laugh.

Watch!

What's that?

Wow!

Hahaha, as expected, the latest explosives imported from the town.

No matter what kind of beast it is, it won't stand a chance.

How about that! Hahaha!

Again, using something like that...

Did you forget about Kozue?

You killed your own daughter with your own trap.

Kozue, even though I told her so much...

She wandered off in the mountains and died on her own...

- Stupid girl! - You, your own daughter...

What kind of person are you!

Ah!

Ginzo, we are...

Because we felt sorry for you since you had Kozue, we let you stay in the village.

We have no use for you anymore.

Leave the village!

- Ahh! Ora! - Wahh, ahh!

- Wahh, Ginzo! - - Ahh, uhh!

- Uuh, ora! - Uuh...

You're all so weak and boring,

just watching you makes me sick!

I'll leave this village from my side!

Oh...

Yes. You're the only one who can deal with me.

I'll punch your gut, leaving a hole in it,

so wait for it.

Hehehe...

- But there are more people than I thought. - Hey.

- Aren't they all going to the fireworks? - Yeah, are there really fireworks?

- Let's just go and see. - If there aren't any, you'll take responsibility, okay

Shiro?

Is it Shiro?

Shiro? Are you there?

Shiro?

Shiro?

Shiro? Come out.

Shiro?

Oh!

- Thief? - Oh, no, uh...

I'm not a suspicious person.

I thought you were Shiro.

- No, it's not like that. - I work here, you see...

Um, during the day, I left something behind, so I came back for a moment...

You work... here?

At this construction site, right now, the foundation work is in progress...

Huh? You doubt me?

- Well... - Hey, look at this.

Look, i don't have anything valuable like this, right?

Uh-huh.

Ah!

Ah

Oh, stop scaring me...

What a strange appearance...

What are you laughing at?

You're the reason it got ruined, you know.

Oh, well...

Alright, for now...

Is it okay?

Isn't it hard to walk in that?

Well, um, it's like a decoration, you know.

Oh..

But what were you doing in a place like this?

Oh, you're really going after all? The fireworks display.

Hm?

- I'm searching for Shiro. - Shiro

- Our dog went missing, - ah...

That dog named Shiro.

It's cliché, but a white mutt about this size.

- Have you seen it? - A dog, huh...

- Oh, I did see something earlier, - over there?

- Really? - Yeah, well...

It might be a slightly different dog, though.

It probably hasn't gone that far yet, I think

- Really? - Yeah?

Ah..

Huh, can't you walk?

Should I call an ambulance?

It's just a minor sprain, so...

You know, aren't you actually a thief?

- Huh? No, I'm not, you know. - Why?

Normally, would a thief carry an injured person and walk?

Really?

Besides, what would i steal?

I wouldn't know about that.

- You never know what a thief is thinking. - That's why I'm saying, you're not a thief.