Sixth Street video store...
"With the municipal elections approaching, the much-anticipated public works project-the old capital's subway renovation-has officially begun!
It's an honor to interview the chief representative of the contractor, Vision Corporation, Mr. Charles Perlman!"
Wise and his sister Belle sat on the couch, bored as they watched the news. The news host was the familiar Mr. *** Telegram from a few days ago. At the moment, he was interviewing Vision Corporation's chief representative.
***: "Later today, your company will carry out demolition blasting in the subway reconstruction area near the old capital, commonly known as Canvas Lane. Could you briefly introduce the construction process?"
Perlman: "Heh heh heh, young man, you've hit on the key point!"
Perlman, who was short and squat, with a body like a roly-poly toy, displayed the pictures behind him and explained:
"After the old capital fell, extensive damage to the subway lines severely hindered convenient transportation and urban development in New Eridu.
To resolve this problem, we must completely clear away the remnants of the damaged old subway before constructing a new one.
To that end, our company has spared no expense in ordering large quantities of high-purity industrial Ether explosives specifically for the demolition."
***: "I see. But isn't the route between Canvas Lane and the city currently impassable? How will you transport the explosives there?"
Perlman: "Hahaha, you're absolutely right! But our company has always planned ahead. Please take a look at this digital map with me."
As he spoke, he stepped aside, revealing the demolition plan behind him. He pointed and slid his finger across it.
Perlman: "We're currently at the demolition command center at the entrance to Dead End Hollow. The red area on the map is the demolition zone.
Because of the companion Hollow known as 'Dead End Hollow,' the tunnel from New Eridu to the demolition zone has now been completely swallowed by the Hollow.
However, some subway lines inside Dead End Hollow remain intact. Our company therefore decided to use specially designed trains to transport the explosives through the Hollow... Most of the explosives have now successfully reached the demolition zone!
Although I'd love to show you the site, we've blocked civilian signals in the demolition zone to prevent any signals from interfering with the blasting. At present, communications are only possible on our dedicated frequency."
***: "Even after evacuating everyone from the demolition zone, you've still blocked signals as an extra precaution? Vision Corporation really has thought of everything!"
At ***'s praise, Perlman proudly bared his pearly whites and gave two thumbs-up, while the people behind him took the opportunity to display the company sign.
Perlman: "Exactly! After all, Vision Corporation's vision is the well-being of every resident of New Eridu."
***: "Mr. Perlman, do you have anything to say about beating the industry's rising star, Belobog Heavy Industries, this time?"
Perlman: "Well, Belobog Heavy Industries is a competitor we greatly respect, as well as a fellow company worth learning from. I believe they'll achieve better results next time."
***: "Then, could you tell us a little about your secret to cutting project costs?"
As soon as the reporter mentioned this 'secret to cutting costs,' Perlman reacted guiltily and began to stammer.
Perlman: "...We shouldn't... have that problem, should we?"
***: "What are you referring to?"
Perlman: "Y-you didn't include that in the interview outline you gave me-"
Just then, the female secretary behind Perlman, dressed in a formal red skirt suit and boasting a stunning figure and looks, stepped forward to bail him out.
"Mr. Perlman, we're live."
She reminded Perlman, then offered an explanation in response to ***'s question.
Secretary: "What Mr. Perlman means is that Vision Corporation never cuts costs improperly during construction. We welcome oversight from every citizen.
For this demolition, Mr. Perlman will even be there in person, holding the fort for everyone until the very last moment."
Seeing this, Perlman went along with her. "Yes, exactly! I'll be taking the train with the technicians to the monitoring station inside the demolition zone shortly."
...video store...
Wise: "Choosing a construction site near a Hollow, and having to relocate so many people-"
Belle: "A company aiming to join TOPS really does have money to burn."
While Wise and Belle were still discussing Vision Corporation, Fairy sounded an alert...
Fairy: "Alert. Street cameras have identified an unknown individual approaching this store at high speed.
Hypotheses: she needs to use the restroom; her rented videotapes are nearly due; she has nefarious designs on this store."
Neither Wise nor Belle thought much of it.
Wise: "It's just a customer. I'll get the door."
Belle: "Come on, why make a customer coming in sound so weird?"
Before Wise had opened the door even halfway, a cat Thiren holding Amillion lunged straight through it and fell to the floor. Two short blades dropped to the floor as well.
Wise and Belle both froze at the sight.
Wise: "...Uh."
Belle: "Uh...?"
Nekomata: "M-my nose hurts..."
She got up and looked up to see Perlman on the television, then immediately spoke to Wise and Belle in a panic:
"Ah! Don't believe that short, squat old guy! He's lying."
Belle stepped forward to help her up and asked, "Are you okay?"
Nekomata: "Y-you could've given me a meow before opening the door! You made me fall..."
Belle: "Uh... meow? Welcome! We're the best (and only) video store on Sixth Street."
Wise also began a rather unpracticed sales pitch.
Wise: "Would you like a membership? It's great value. Rent three tapes and it'll pay for itself."
Nekomata: "That sounds like a pretty good deal, but the place I'm staying doesn't have any playback equipment... Wait, no!
This isn't the time for that! I know... you're 'Phaethon'! I have a Proxy commission for you!"
Since Wise and Belle still didn't know what was going on, they pretended not to understand for now.
Belle: "Proxie? Is that some kind of snack? If you're buying food, I'd recommend the '141 Convenience Store'!"
Nekomata: "Wait! You don't have to be wary of me. My name's Nekomata! Nicole sent me to find you. I'm not a bad person!"
But Belle kept up the act.
Belle: "Nicole? Which Nicole? Is he a member of our store or something?"
Nekomata: "Nicole from the Cunning Hares! The head of the odd-job agency, the Cunning Hares! Look, this is his Bangboo! That should count as proof, right?"
As she spoke, Nekomata lifted Amillion and handed him to Belle. After taking him, Belle examined him from every angle. Abnormal weight, an uneven center of gravity, a knockoff outer shell, an outdated model, the wrong materials for the parts... Confirmed: this was definitely Nicole's Bangboo. No one could put together a second one like this.
Belle: "Hmm... no signs of imitation... This really is the Bangboo Nicole uses.
You're really Nicole's friend? Where are they now?"
Nekomata: "Right where the news just said-Vision's demolition zone!"