Rent Town...
This is it!
Lag's Dingo
Love Someone Down...
I thought it would be around here somewhere, but...
Maybe that's it over there?
Um, excuse me!
Who are you?
Um... Well...
Is this Love Someone Down?
Yes, this is it.
I came to deliver a letter that was addressed to here.
A letter, you say?!
Yes!
Wait there.
This is so nerve wracking.
Niche, don't! Niche!
He told us to wait back there...
There's a ton of animals.
If only I had a dingo like one of these...
A dingo?
They work with Letter Bees as their partner and companion.
Like that dog the fat man took with him?
Yeah, although it doesn't have to be a dog.
As long as it can be trained, any animal will do.
It doesn't even have to be an animal.
I hear some of them are strong people, very skilled at martial arts and the like.
They're all covered in wounds...
I wonder why?
Is someone here?
What do you think you're doing?
S-Sorry!
I was just taking a look, that's all!
You came to steal our animals, didn't you?
You're a thieving little brat!
Hold it!
Impresario!
So you're a Letter Bee?
Um, no. I'm...
You brought this girl here?
Yes.
Then she is...
Let's see here... Show me your hand.
Whoa!
The arms seem to fit.
Ah, thanks so much for coming!
The delivery was so late, I was seriously worried.
There were some things missing on the delivery slip, so I delivered it instead of a Bee...
As long as it got here!
Good work!
Uh... right.
Here's your tip.
Thanks a lot!
Niche...
Thank you.
Lag, farewell.
Niche...
Lag, farewell.
My job was to deliver Niche, and now that's over.
I have to hurry to Yuusari.
The Broccoli Forest up ahead is Gaichuu territory,
Freak-show Love Someone Down Aithon Coal Mine Station Broccoli Forest
but I can take the long way around and just barely make it to Yuusari.
Oh, shoot!
I didn't get them to sign a delivery receipt.
Can I really become a Letter Bee like this?
Perfect, let's ask this guy.
Hey boy, did you come from Rent?
Yes, I did...
There's a freak-show called Love Someone Down set up at the town entrance, right?
A freak show?
Then, that place was...
Ah, so it is there!
Thank goodness!
See, I told you! It's really here!
We walked all the way from the coal mine to see it,
but my brother here was going on about it being fake the whole time!
You're just too positive!
We'll probably end up paying an entrance fee, and then everything inside'll be fake!
That's the way those places work!
Hush you! Stop your whining.
"Freak-show Love Someone Down."
"It's finally arrived!"
"A new attraction!"
"A girl who received the blood of the 'Maka,' an extinct, legendary creature."
"A child born cursed to bear the 'golden swords' on her body."
This Maka thing is some creature like a dragon.
It has a golden mane and sea-blue eyes, with a violent disposition.
I heard it's revered up in the northern frontier, though.
But I've never heard of anyone actually seeing one!
Where's your sense of adventure, you dunce!
Sorry, I'm borrowing this!
Wait right there, you!
Now, out with them!
Show 'em to me!
Show me those "golden swords!"
Hey!
How's it going?
Impresario, we haven't gotten any response, so...
Then force her!
Are you sure?
Her eyes and claws are just like the rumors, but she might be a normal human with transplanted arms...
You're nuts, she's the real deal!
How much do you think I paid for this brat?
She's a real Maka!
Outta my way!
Now, Maka-chan...
Tomorrow there'll be a lot of customers coming to look at you...
Won't you show grandpa those golden swords of yours?
Niche.
What's this?
Niche!
Get it right.
My name is...
Niche!
W-What's with those baggy pants?
Who the heck put those on her?
How does "baggy pants" fit the image of Maka?
She was wearing them when she got here,
and she wouldn't take them off no matter what I said!
For pity's sake...
Hand me a knife.
Listen up!
When trainin' animals, ya gotta put the fear of death in 'em first!
See, look at that.
It was your hair!
The golden swords were your hair!
Bravo! Yup, she's for real!
Okay! With her we can get 5,000 Rin a head!
My rare creatures!
Impresario, we have to get out of here!
The tent's...
That's... Niche!
I thought we were goners...
My Love Someone Down!
The brat didn't just bust the cages, she broke down the entire tent!
Niche!
Ah, you there, boy!
Where have I seen you before?
My precious rare creatures will run away at this rate!
I'll pay you for it, so round them up!
I'm giving you back your tip!
This is bad... Niche ran away towards Gaichuu territory...
Broccoli forest!
Niche...
Where are you?
Niche!
The Gaichuu Four Roses!
Niche, run!
Lag? Why are you here?
It's no use!
You can't defeat a Gaichuu with normal bullets!
And this gun doesn't have a spot for a spirit amber in the first place.
Niche!
I've got to remember the time when I shot a shindan!
Shindan, loaded!
It's no use.
Damn... Run away, Niche!
What are you doing here, Lag?
So, we meet again?
It's still moving!
I guess it really is true you can't defeat them without using a shindan.
Niche!
Are you okay, Niche?
Your head was hit?
Damn it!
Lag... I'm glad I was able to see you again...
Shindan loaded!
Go!
Farewell, Lag Seeing.
We'll miss you, Lag.
Perhaps this is our final parting...
Make sure to become a Letter Bee, Lag Seeing!
Farewell, Cambel Litus.
Don't leave me, Mom!
Lag, farewell.
Niche...
Niche?
It's you Niche, right?
Thank goodness...
I was able to meet you again, Niche...
Niche?
Don't move!
It tickles! And you're heavy.
If I lick it, it'll heal faster.
Please stop it already.
I've only ever done this to myself.
Letting me lick places that hurt...
Making me wear underwear...
You're the first to do that, Lag!
If saying goodbye is so sad for you, then I'll stay by your side.
Niche...
Does saying goodbye make you sad?
Yeah... It does...
Really sad.
We finally made it out of the forest.
I'm sure glad we only ran into one of those.
Now it's just a straight shot to Yuusari.
Yuusari?
Right. I'm going there to take a test to become a Letter Bee.
A Letter Bee?
S-Something's coming!
Oh, it's that creature from Love Someone Down.
It looks like he's taken a liking to you, Niche.
He's called Steak.
Steak?
You mean, that's his name?
But, why name him that?
If you don't cook him, he'll taste bad.
You're planning on eating him?!
That's a joke, right?
I wonder what kind of creature he is...
It does have a charming smile, though.
Be careful. You'll get yourself eaten.
The thing's mostly mouth!
Sorry, Niche.
Even though I wasn't a real Letter Bee, I went and took you to a place like that...
It's always like that.
So, you failed at your job, Lag?
Take a look.
Unknown destination.
And I didn't get a signature of receipt.
Now you're no longer a letter. You're just Niche.
Niche?
Is this Yuusari place over there?
I'm not "just Niche!"
If you're going to become a Letter Bee, then you'll need a dingo, right?
I am now Niche, Lag's dingo!
D-Dingo... You...
Are you saying you'll be my dingo, Niche?
You said anyone who's strong could be a dingo, Lag!
But, that's...
Don't worry!
You're weak, and I'm strong!
Well, that's hard to argue, but...
Now, let's go, Lag!
Wait!
N-Niche!
Next: Dead-End Town