Freesia 63

Freesia, Volume 10, Chapter 63 (pp. 83~108)


<83>
=Uh—First, we would like to express our sincere apologies concerning the criminal actions of the enforcement proxy employed by our agency.
=As representatives of an agency committed to the observance and supervision of the Proxy Act, we've reflected upon our mistakes, and would like to apologize to the people of this country.

Chapter 63: Secret Talks


<84>
=Ever since this chain of events has reached public attention, Proxy Mizoguchi's illegal enforcement tactics have come to light via newspapers and tabloids—
=Get those fucking photographers outta here.
=Were you aware of these activities, Director?

=Uhh—Well, on-site illegal behaviors such as bribery of security personnel, and uhh—possession of ammunition beyond the prescribed amount were uhh—
=Not acknowledged by our agency, and are still under investigation.

=You don't think this indicates corruption of the industry itself?//Extending beyond the actions of a single enforcement proxy?

=That is also uhh—Currently under investigation.

=Are you aware that Proxy Mizoguchi's wife is currently missing!?
=Too many names!
=It's rumored that domestic violence was taking place on a daily basis!
=It's still under investigation.
=Do you think the mystery street killer was also Proxy Mizoguchi?
=It's under investigation.
=Why are your glasses cracked, Director—!?
=It's under investigation!
[note]Name; slang term for the rough draft of a manga.


<85>
=It's under investigation!

=Congratulations on your TV appearance, Director.
=You looked quite handsome up there—

=Are you listening, sir?

=Shut up—//Did you just come over to make snide remarks?

=I'm offering some words of appreciation.
=Here's some tea.
=Looking cheerful as always, aren't you...


<86>
=Oh—And I'm returning this.
=You told me to look through it, so I did, but...

=It was just a brief history on Keita Tanaka, and his criminal record...
=I wanted to hear your opinion.
=Turns out he's actually quite a delinquent...

=My opinion...?
=These sorts of things won't merit an enforcement...

=...Yeah—

=What's the matter?
=You look rather glum.

=Does it have something to do with this worthless report?
=Well—Pretty much.


<87>
=You never know what they'll try and hand us next. They use anything and everything they've got...
=Not that there's any use in complaining—They're holding our leash, after all.

=But they've fed us well.
=So it goes both ways, doesn't it?

=Hah-hah-hah—
=Well said.

=How about you come along this time?//You might see something.

=...Something?
=Yeah, something.

=Finding that something,
=Is your job, isn't it?


<88>
=By the way, what are those proxies doing?
=Are they on vacation 'cause enforcement duties've been halted?

=Of course not. They're busy typing up documents.
=There's a ton of paperwork that needs to be taken care of before our cases can get handed over to the other agencies.

=Phew—

=This is insane...//Does Ms. Higuchi seriously think we can get all of this work done?

[x4]CLAT


<89>
[x3]CLAT

CLAT..

=He's been acting like nothing ever happened, but...
=Does he really not know anything about Mr. Mizoguchi?

=Hey,
=Can you not smoke here?

=I get a headache,
[x6]CLAT
=When somebody smokes in front of me.


<90>
=I-I'm sorry...
=All this paperwork just got me stressed out.

=What about you, Mr. Kano?
[x3]CLAT

[bubble]*stops*

=I don't feel any different.
=It's just work as usual.

=Besides,
=I'm planning on quitting this job soon.

=Huh?
=You're quitting?

=If the industry is going to be this unstable,
=I feel it would be better for me to look elsewhere.


<91>
=When are you planning to quit?

=I don't know.

=You don't know...?
=The problem is, the world itself is so unstable right now.

=Which means finding a new line of work will also be extremely risky.

=Besides, I don't have much experience with situations like this,//But that doesn't mean I can stay here, either...
=Essentially, it's all comes down to the timing. Don't you see?


<92>
=If I screw up the timing,
=I lose everything.

=It's all about the timing.
[x4]CLAT
=Timing.

[x2]*mumble*

=Timing, huh...

=We're on in—


<93>
=Today on "Points and Viewpoints," we have the organizer and active participant of countless grass-roots movements like town garbage collection.
=The spokesman of the younger generation, Mr. Keita Tanaka.

=To begin, let's hear more about your organization, the "Asia League Freedom Alliance."
=What were your goals in establishing this organization, and why?

=Uhh—
=Mr. Tanaka?


<95>
=You really scared us.
=Keeling over like that on the set...

=The doctors said it was just fatigue, but...
=Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?

=You don't need to hold back. We cancelled all your appointments for the day.

=I got that IV drip, so I'm fine.
=Besides, my brothers are gonna get annoyed again if I take a break.


<96>
=C'mon, at least take the day off, okay?
=I'll talk to your brothers about this...

=Huh? Hey,
=Where are you going?

=I'm off the rest of the day,
=Which means I can do whatever the hell I want, right?

=Not by yourself, Tanaka-kun...!
=Don't just run off alone!
=I need to make sure you're going to be safe—!

=Tanaka-kun...!


<97>
=Heh-heh... Losers.
=I think I lost 'em.

=Hah-hah-hah—I'm just gonna hang around. [sizeptpt="1"]I'm a little woozy, but whatever.
=Do whatever I want for the rest of the day.


<98>
=AHHHHHHHHHHH—!

=What the hell...?

=See...!? I told you it was him!
=It's the real K-kun!

=...Shit.

=AHHHH—
=OMG OMG OMG OMG—!

=Damn it!


<99>
=HUFF//HUFF
=HUFF

=What the fuck is wrong with those girls...!?
=Where'd they learn how to scream like that...?

=Oh shit...//I'm getting nauseous again...

=Yo, check it out. Isn't that Keita Tanaka?

=Hey, you're Keita Tanaka, aren't you?
=Gimme your cell number—!
=EEK...

=Hey, where the hell do you think you're going!?
=Shit...!


<100>
=So anyways...
ROLL
=I need to hang here again...

=...Hey.
=You're just using me, aren't you.

=Yeah—I know...//But I really don't have anywhere else to stay.

=You're so popular that you can't find a place to stay?
=That's so weird...


<101>
=AHH—
[x2]SNIFF

=You said you weren't gonna do drugs anymore...
=You keep flip-flopping about everything...

=I was gonna throw away that stuff too—
=Huh?


<102>
=Then you don't have anymore?
=No—! I stopped doing it!

=Heyy—Can't you get a little bit more?
=I'm not gonna make it to the election without some more.

=Just go buy some on your own.

=I can't. The guys are too strict.
=You can still get some from your manager, right YO-KO?
=Yeahhh—But—

=Then...
=Will you come see me again?

=Of course I will—
=Ah...
=But you have to quit after that, okay Kei-kun...?
=Yeah yeah, I promise.
=Ahhh—


<103>
=You looked better on TV than I thought you would, Katsumi-kun.
=Quite handsome, really.
=But those glasses are no good—How about you go and buy yourself a new pair, hah-hah-hah—!

STARE—
=Public speaking just isn't my thing...

=Just hang in there for now.
=With the war taking a turn for the worse, and now this proxy scandal... They're willing to pounce on just about anything.


<104>
=The Tanaka faction is planning to switch parties and sneak in some more seats with the Opposition during the next election.
=Their strategy is efficient and well-calculated, but...

=I just don't understand this Keita Tanaka fellow...
[bubble]GLUB
=What is it that makes him so popular?

=It's natural instinct to fear the unknown.//A calculated, intelligent strategy can be dealt with, but...
=That youngster perplexes me.
=However, waiting around won't solve anything. Either way, he's still a thorn in our side...

=So... About the enforcement.
=Have you given it some thought?

=Y-Yes sir!
GATHUCK


<105>
=I've spoken with Director Nagasawa of the proxy association, and...
=It appears as though an enforcement on Tanaka is unlikely to pass under the current regulations.

=Hah-hah-hah, that shouldn't be the case...
=Just look it over again with the amendments we made last month. It should make it through.

=Did you even look at the report put together by our excellent intelligence unit?
[bubble]PFFT
=That man's criminal activities are well-documented.

=But sir, there were only 3 civil cases... All settled outside of court...
=I just don't think that would be enough...

=You're being far too lenient...


<106>
=You see, this is no longer a simple national dispute.
=Why? Because we are currently in the midst of a crusade... Our enemies are constantly observing our internal affairs.

=Meaning the result of this internal conflict will directly affect our opportunities and actions in the war front.
=You seem to lack awareness of that... Let me repeat myself.

=This is no longer a simple national dispute.
=It's part of a strategic move that may determine the very fate of this nation.

=Keep that in mind.
=Now stand back!
=Yes sir!


<107>
=Hey...! We're leaving!
=Damn it—This is insane!

=Uhh—
=May I say one thing—?

=Wha...!?


<108>
=...And who exactly...
=Are you?

=I'm the office manager of the Katsumi Agency...
=My name is Higuchi.

=If I may,
=I would like to conduct another investigation on Tanaka's personal history.