Thank you for coming in again.
Is this all for today?
Yes, thank you.
By the way, what happened with your stalker after that?
I've been attacked several times since then.
I fought them all off, of course.
Several times?
This isn't just a case of stalking any more.
Anyway, does that mean it's ongoing?
Well, yes.
That book I recommended to you finally came in.
Would you like to read it?
17th Heiando Full-Length Novel Award Judge's Choice Award
Heiando's newest author, Fujimaki Hotaru.
That book.
They had it at the hot springs we went to the other day.
I didn't get to read it.
I don't know the author, but if Sakura's recommending it, it must be good.
I'll take this as well, then.
Okay, thank you.
I'm home.
What a good haul.
What? Is something wrong?
Someone ransacked the apartment.
D
Do
Dog
Dog &
Dog & Scissors
Chapter Nine
There is No Smoke Without Dog
Someone ransacked the apartment.
Ransacked? It doesn't look different to me.
You mean you can't tell?
Listen, before we left, there were 99,822 books in this room.
Now there's 99,823.
[99,822 Books] As of yesterday. This number will continue to grow.
What?
I'm telling you, there's one extra book.
How can you tell?
You mean you can't?
Of course not.
You need to keep better track of your own books.
It's the least you can do for your books, and it's your responsibility.
Could you stop acting like your standards are
the same as the rest of the world's?
Which one is the extra book, anyway?
Just wait.
I found it.
Natsuno, this is it.
That book...
Celestial Romance
Huh? You already had this book?
It's not mine.
Are you sure you didn't buy it and forget about it?
I'd never forget about a book I purchased.
Then how...
Could it have been the stalker?
Are you saying he left it here? How?
Since Madoka broke in through the window,
I put in a request to the security company.
If someone broke in, the alarm should have gone off.
Which means...
Why are you reading that?
B-Because this book is our only lead.
We should start by reading it.
That makes sense.
Fine, I'll read it, too.
Honda Booksellers
What? R-Really?
Yeah, just now.
The dog and his owner I told you about just came by.
They bought that book.
Th-That book?
Don't you remember meeting Natsuno-san at the hot springs?
She's the dog's owner.
They came together, so I recommended it to them, and...
What a book.
I was expecting a romance novel,
but it had action scenes, horror elements,
and social commentary while still managing to be a typical romance story.
It's a relatively difficult book.
Damn it. I've still got a long a way to go if I overlooked a book like this.
Wh-What?
Wh-What is this?
Wh-Why? Why is my chest pounding like this?
Did I eat something weird?
Did I read something weird?
No, no, no, hold on. This can't be right.
There's no way I could be interested in a three dimensional lump of flesh.
I can't hold myself back anymore!
Woof!
Oh? I can't find the dog.
Where did he go?
I'm right here.
Why are you acting out "The Inugami Clan" by yourself?
Is it because you're a dog?
You thew me in the garbage!
Now that I think of it, my hand did seem to move on its own.
It was a subconscious impulse after all.
So? Why would I throw you away?
I'm a calm person.
I'd never do anything without being provoked.
I can't tell her I carelessly jumped at her because
my heart starting pounding while I was watching her read.
I see.
Oh, crap!
Well, well, well.
I thought you said you were only interested in printed type, you mongrel.
If you fall in love with me, you'll end up hurt.
You'd hurt me even if I didn't!
You refuse to fall in love with me?
I'll have to execute you, then.
Who do you think you are, a queen?
If you don't want me to execute you, I can give you the death penalty instead.
Fine, I'll fall in love with you! That's what you want, right?
I love you, Natsuno-san!
Wh-Where did that come from, you perverted dog?
I don't understand what's going on anymore.
I'm not ready to hear it—
Anyway, what did you think of the book?
W-Well, it wasn't bad.
I know, right? It was interesting, wasn't it?
Why are you getting so excited?
Don't you feel like discussing a good book
after you're done reading it?
You haven't forgotten about our objective, have you?
What objective?
The stalker.
I forgot.
So, did you notice?
Notice what?
The author of this book, Fujimaki Hotaru.
Is this author actually an amateur?
Celestial Romance
This book is too well written for an amateur author.
It seems like an established author changed their writing style and wrote it.
Really?
There's something else I noticed, too.
This book is just like one of Akiyama Shinobu's books.
You're right.
While I was reading it, I started to feel like I had written it myself.
Strongly influenced by Akiyama Shinobu,
with a strong feeling resembling attachment.
Just who is this Fujimaki Hotaru?
Fujimaki Hotaru
She doesn't seem have made her history known.
She's even copying Akiyama Shinobu's secretive style.
This just means that I'll have to rely on that.
That? You don't mean...
Oh?
S-S-Sensei, I'm here.
I knew it.
I have a specific reason for calling you here...
Tell me everything you know about the amateur author Fujimaki Hotaru.
What? Fujimaki-sensei?
Don't tell me you don't know.
Don't they call you "Suzuna the Lingering" in the editorial department?
They use nicknames in the editorial department, do they?
N-No, I know who she is, but I can't tell you about her.
She's another company's author.
I'll cut you once for each piece of information you give me.
I'll tell you anything you want to know.
I hate these people.
It's so good... It feels so good...
We figured out a lot.
Her address, gender, age, even her family structure.
The only thing we don't know is her real name,
but I was surprised to learn she's a high school girl.
And the daughter of Osawa Shuzan.
Tiger of historical novels, Osawa Shuzan.
A major author responsible for numerous works on generals of
the Warring States Period and significant historical figures.
Osawa Shuzan's daughter, huh?
What?
There was something else about Fujimaki Hotaru's book,
besides the similarity to your style, that bothered me.
What was it?
I'm not exactly sure.
Fujimaki-sensei's debut is shrouded in mystery.
Mystery?
I've read her book, as well, and it's safe to say she's talented,
but there are rumors Osawa Shuzan-sensei influenced the screening process.
Are you saying she used her father's influence to make her debut?
It's only a rumor.
In any case, we should go check it out.
Go? Go where?
To Fujimaki Hotaru's place, of course.
Without making an appointment?
I'm going. The appointment will follow.
You're a tyrant to the core, you know that?
So, what's her address?
I thought I recognized that address.
It's in the same neighborhood as my high school.
You should have noticed sooner.
No one really pays much attention to their school's address.
Dream Road
This place brings back memories.
Wait, you stupid dog.
What?
Huh?
Know your place.
Huh? What? My body's moving on its own.
In that case, you must be sick.
You're right. I won't deny that.
By the way, I've purchased your books at the bookstore before.
Really? Thank you for your purchase.
The book came out on the same day as my exams.
I think I went to buy it during lunch.
What were you thinking?
You should focus on your exams.
It's fine. You're more important than tests.
I was late to my afternoon exams,
but that's just part of being...
Hey, what are you doing?
Wh-What did you just say?
Just now?
Say it again.
I went to buy your book and was late to my afternoon exams.
B-Before that.
You said something was more important that your exams.
Oh, I said your books are more important to me than exams.
What? My books?
Yeah, your books.
I see. That's how it is.
In other words, it's my books that are important, not me.
Yeah, that's what I've been telling...
Wh-Why'd you get mad at me?
Come on, hurry up and show me the way.
It's a promise.
We're going through here?
It's a shortcut.
I can't believe you're taking me to
such a deserted place, you perverted dog.
I'm feeling uneasy, too, okay? I might get stabbed.
This place really brings back memories.
It saved me plenty of times when I thought I was going to be late.
Not many people come back here,
so I didn't have to worry about reading while walking.
I was a library assistant at school and read all the books in the library.
I wish I could go back to that library.
I'm sorry to interrupt your reminiscing, but...
What?
We're surrounded.
Huh?
These guys...
It's just like the incident at the hot springs.
Was that the work of Fujimaki Hotaru, too?
We need to do something about this situation
if we want to figure that out.
How?
Like this!
Huh? Wh-What?
Natsuno-san?
Lead the vanguard, dog cannon!
Allow me to explain.
The dog cannon involves throwing
a nearby dog at your opponent to spook him
and taking advantage when he lets his guard down.
This dangerous technique is only possible with dogs that can be thrown.
Under no circumstances should you attempt
to perform this technique with an ordinary dog.
Oh, good morning. Did you sleep well?
Of course not... Huh?
What?
They were far too inexperienced to be challenging me.
Wait, wait, wait! This doesn't make sense!
You knocked out all of them? What were you thinking?
You're right. Now that they've all been knocked out,
we won't know if this was Fujimaki Hotaru's doing or not.
That's not the problem here!
Why don't we try asking him for answers?
Could it be?
You're Osawa Shuzan.
This is the person behind these incidents?
Not the daughter, but the father?
Are you the one who's been watching me?
Your books are as wild as the way you fight.
It's true when they say
a person's nature comes through in their writing.
I'm honored you read my books.
So, do you think you could tell us why you're doing this, Dai-senpai?
Do you think you can beat it out of me, you base girl?
And you call yourself an author!
Fine, then. I'll overlook your actions today.
Let me down.
Wh-What am I looking at?
What? I'm not letting you down.
If you keep talking shit, I'll kick you.
Act brave while you can.
Brutalize me any more, and you'll regret it.
What are you saying will happen to me?
If you keep this up...
I might accidentally wet myself!
What?
I'm getting old. Things aren't so good down there.
You're making a potty joke?!
Cut that out!
You're the one who left that book in my apartment.
How did you break through my security system and enter my room?
You couldn't even figure that out, you half-assed writer?
What did you say?
I had the owner of the security company
turn off your alarm and unlock the door.
What?!
Where's the mystery? The trick? What kind of solution is this?
Why would the security company do that?
The president's a childhood friend of mine.
Ever since I covered up
the fact he shit himself in elementary school,
he's done anything I've asked of him.
Another potty joke?!
Why did you do that?
For one reason. Because my daughter asked me to.
She wanted me to give her book to Akiyama Shinobu.
Your daughter asked you to do it? Fujimaki Hotaru?
So, you watched me and
left the book in my apartment while I was out?
Wait, hold on.
If you only needed to give me the book, you could have mailed it.
Why did you have to hide it somewhere I wouldn't find it?
You mean you don't know?
It's because I didn't want to give it to you.
What do you mean?
I thought your daughter asked you to do it.
It's because you'd be a bad influence on her.
What?
No, you've already been a bad influence on her.
I won't allow you to sully my daughter any further!
Letting you near my daughter is completely out of the question!
I don't even like you as a writer.
I hate that you call yourself an author.
In other words, a stupid father went crazy over how much
he cared for his little girl.
This is stupid.
You're deceiving my daughter, you ogre!
Demon! Rotten heretic!
You're a ruffian who swings her scissors about everywhere!
That's why you're always getting attacked by mobs!
What's wrong, Natsuno?
I finally understand, Dai-senpai.
What are you talking about?
You said that's why I'm getting attacked by mobs.
In other words, you didn't send those men after me.
Which means this guy isn't behind the attacks.
That's right. The one behind the incidents is Fujimaki...
You're wrong!
My daughter has nothing to do with this.
It's me. I did everything!
It's too late.
My daughter doesn't know anything!
It's true, it's true. She doesn't...
What does Fujimaki Hotaru want?
I don't know,
but my daughter wants to meet you.
She does?
Is this the right address?
Yeah, but to think it was my high school.
Higashikawa High School
Why here?
Where should we begin our search?
Well, let's see...
Where is your classroom?
What class were you in?
Class 2-A.
Shall we start there?
Why?
I'm just curious, actually.
I see.
Your own high school experience was so long ago,
you want to see the classrooms for your next novel, right?
Excuse you. I can still wear my high school uniform.
Must be because you haven't grown, especially not your breasts.
Why don't you go where you want to go, then?
We're splitting up?
It's all right.
If anything happens, I'll fend them off with Hasajiro.
As long as I'm fighting humans, I can cut them.
Don't cut them. Use your words first.
Hey, Natsuno. Hey!
Jeez. She's impossible.
Where do I want to go?
Library
This place hasn't changed.
This brings back memories.
Oh, right.
There it is.
The Forest of Kozu Osawa Ami
It's still here.
You're Kazuhito-kun, aren't you?
Welcome back, Kazuhito-kun.
Ami.
Episode Preview
How did you kill all of those people so quickly?
Were you modified by some kind of evil organization?
We don't get much running time. That was plenty.
That was a movie?
For our friends who come to see us,
Time Flies Like a Dog
we'll give a moving flapping Natsuno-san. 18 colors total!
Chapter Ten
Come shake my hand at the theater!