⭐️ Oz SR: Without a Single Change in Expression (March Seasonal 2023)
⭐️ Arthur R: Warmth Conveyed Through Clothing (February Perm 2023)
⭐️ Arthur SSR: A Breeze of Light Turning the Pages of the Past (Central Fantasia)
⭐️ Riquet R: Let’s Do Our Best Together! (Initial)
⭐️ Riquet R: Prayer to the Amulet (May Perm 2023)
🍃 Murr SSR: To the Sea of Light Where Wishes Shine (Tanabata 2022)
🌸 Rutile R: The Taste of a Good Harvest (September Perm 2022)
Break My Case
✧ Main Story
🦋 Thread 0: Blank Slate
🦋 Thread 1: Aloof Yellow
✧ Event Story
🟢 Prequel: The Twilit Road Home (ST Prequel)
✧ Personal Story
🚬 Yu Nina: Personal Story 1
🍩 Kamiya: Personal Story 1
✧ Card Story
🍴Yuzuru Kise R: Safe and Secure Capable Advisor (Initial)
🌏 Tomose Onda R: Perfectionist Ex-Mafioso (Initial)
🌏 Tomose Onda SR: Turning His Back on the Hustle and Bustle (Initial)
🚬 Yu Nina R: Right-Hand Man Who Swears Absolute Loyalty (Initial)
🚬 Yu Nina SR: Powder to Finish (June Bride 2024)
🚬 Yu Nina SSR: #13BFFC (Birthday 2024)
Yu Nina - 2nd Anniversary SSR Card Translation
(implied Onda cameo)
CHAPTER 1
A poet once said, “To live is to encounter. A life without one is a life that has yet to truly begin.”[1]
If those words hold true, then one thing I can say for sure is that mine will come to an end without ever having begun.
YUHANG:
(An hour and a half left until the appointed time.)
This business hotel was arranged by one of our affiliates. The room that had been assigned to me as a stand-by spot was located on the lowest guest floor, right next to the emergency exit.
Dispose of the traitor who fled to Japan.
That is the sole reason I have crossed the seas and am standing at this spot.
YUHANG:
(The target will show up at the designated point tonight.)
(Taking the train is not an option. I’ll have to leave the hotel on the early side.)
I take a sip of water and do a mental review of the course of action to take for this operation.
None of this is new to me; it's a task I’ve executed more than I could count. But I default to this anyway given there’s nothing else to do.
YUHANG:
(Seeing to the disposal of targets is the only function I serve.)
(Where I do what I do poses no consequence; sticking to the method ingrained in me is how I do it.)
In other words, business as usual, with no room for unwelcome emotions and needless reflections. Even the weight of the gun in my holster no longer occupied a space in my mind.
YUHANG:
…
With the quick review out of the way, idle downtime filled the room once more.
Other than surveying the entire floor – which I’d already taken care of when I arrived – there was nothing else of relevance left for me to do.
I went through the motions of scanning the room. The case of cigarillo left on the table caught my eye.
YUHANG:
(I haven’t eaten anything since morning, come to think of it.)
Hit by a hunger pang, I sluggishly reached for the case of cigarillo. I let my thoughts wander back to the details of my mission as I filled my lungs with bluish smoke.
YUHANG:
(One hour to go…)
What a meaningless waste of time – like filling a vacuous void with nothingness.
[1] A maxim by Shuji Terayama featured in his posthumous work Words More Than Your Hands Can Hold: A Collection of 413 Aphorisms (両手いっぱいの言葉―413のアフォリズム, Ryoute Ippai no Kotoba―413 no Aphorism)
CHAPTER 2
In some back alley far from the reach of the city’s hustle and bustle, I wrestled the target to the ground and point my gun at him. With both legs now crippled, his chances of escaping were no more.
MAN:
Don’t… shoot…
YUHANG:
I have no reason to follow your demands.
MAN:
Spare me, and I’ll introduce you to a business worth your while. For the right price, they’ll forge you a new identity and erase all records of your past.
The best part of the deal… is that you can make a break from “that person’s” sphere of influence.
YUHANG:
Mhm.
MAN:
Desert the crime family just like I did! You can live a life better than y–
I tightened my finger on the trigger.
???:
…
YUHANG:
!
In the seconds that followed, I sensed distant footsteps and voices growing audible as they inched closer. Only then did I take my finger off the trigger.
Although the footsteps I heard didn’t seem to be headed towards our location, firing now would likely notify whoever those belonged to.
YUHANG:
(Let's wait until they pass by.)
MAN:
Agh!
I pressed down my weight on this man and let the sole of my shoe drive into his throat, causing his legs to jerk upward. Only the noise of his struggling on the ground and gasping for air lingered.
That should do. They’ll never hear us from the main road.
I bent down to hide in a blind spot and waited for the passersby to leave the area.
YOUNG MAN:
*inaudible*
YUHANG:
(One young man and a middle-aged couple.)
Stealing a peek, I saw a group of three well-dressed people walking together. The similarities of their facial features told me they must be a family.
When the young man gave a coy smile, his parents beamed in kind – a commonplace kind of scene you’d find anywhere in this country.
YOUNG MAN:
…tomorrow…
MIDDLE-AGED MAN:
…let’s go–
I strained my ears to catch bits and pieces of their conversation in Japanese. From the way they didn’t seem to question the promise of a tomorrow, I knew my path and theirs were not meant to cross.
The only thought that came to mind was, “They're unlikely to be our foes.”
YUHANG:
(They’re gone.)
I stood up while keeping an ear out for the laughter growing gradually distant. Once the profiles of the three passersby disappeared from the corner of my eye, I then directed my gaze to the target still squirming on the ground.
MAN:
Hng… Zave… mhge…
To erase your entire past and start life anew: the idea offers no failproof guarantee, to say nothing of how realistically unfeasible and utterly ridiculous it sounds.
What made him think going back was an option still on the table?
YUHANG:
(I fail to understand that thought process.)
I pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER 3
Following the orders given to me, I made a phone call to report that my mission had been wrapped up.
It took a couple of rings before the call was picked up, and only then did I start speaking.
YUHANG:
Done.
???:
Okay. Is that it?
YUHANG:
Yeah.
???:
Mhm. In that case, get ready to fly back. I’ll brief you about the other mission I mentioned previously.
As I see it, only you can execute it without dying. Everyone else won’t make the cut.
YUHANG:
Copy that.
The call ended.
When I put away my phone, my fingertips brushed a familiar texture. It was the stick of cigarillo I stuffed in my pocket before leaving the hotel.
YUHANG:
(Let’s see, smoking area…)
I raised my head to look around for one, but there doesn’t seem to be any within the vicinity. Not an issue. I figured I'd eventually find one after walking around.
Just when I was about to take a step—
???:
?
I heard somebody try to strike up a conversation with me. Keeping my wits about me as I turned around, what greeted my gaze was a child – who I’m guessing couldn’t be any older than ten – standing behind me.
I didn't understand a lick of what the kid just said. He’s speaking in Japanese, I assume.
Seeing no reason to give him the time of day, I opted to ignore him and make my leave. But then, as if he realized something, the kid began to muster up what little English he knew in an attempt to get his message across.
CHILD:
“You maybe hungry.”
YUHANG:
What?
CHILD:
“White…? …, for you!”
I'd been offered what appears to be an individually wrapped piece of chocolate and the kid’s ear-to-ear grin.
His words, paired with his hand gestures, reminded me of how pale I‘d looked in my hotel room’s mirror.
YUHANG:
(I look as white as a sheet, so he’s giving me that?)
(Or perhaps he meant something different. Either way, I don’t need it.)
CHILD:
?
YUHANG:
I'm good.
CHILD:
…?
YUHANG:
No. Keep it.
I couldn’t understand the reason behind the kid’s smile and why he kept offering me the chocolate. I decided to accept it to get this irresolvable and incomprehensible back-and-forth over with.
YUHANG:
Now scram.
CHILD:
—!
He probably has no idea he’d been chased away. Without seeing off the kid who sped to run satisfied, I turned my gaze to the snack I held in my hand.
YUHANG:
(I could say the same about myself.)
(The smile he showed, why the kid did what he did, and everything about this whole interaction were lost on me. Even if I did understand—)
YOUNG MAN:
…tomorrow…
MIDDLE-AGED MAN:
…let’s go–
CHILD:
“You maybe hungry.”
CHILD:
“White…? …, for you!”
MAN:
Desert the crime family just like I did! You can live a life better than y–
YUHANG:
…
I stared down at the wrapped piece of chocolate in my hand. It stayed solid, as if unaffected by my absent warmth.
Me, leave the mafia? Talk about unfeasible and ridiculous. It’s not even up for debate.
YUHANG:
(Let’s go find that smoking area.)
I tossed it in the nearest bin, all while planning steps for my next mission.
Aimlessly, I walked into the night—
HOME SCREEN VOICE LINES
① - Your addition to the company posed no disruption to our operations. I’d say it speaks to how well you fit in the team.
② - Two years, huh? If you want to look back on the past every time you reach a milestone, that’s up to you. Better yet, it would be in your best interest to do so with the intent of applying what you've learned in the future. Am I wrong?
③ - There is no shortage of events to celebrate at this company as it is, but this occasion must be special in a league of its own. No objections from me. Let yourself have a good time.
2ND ANNIVERSARY VOICE LINE
Your tenure at a company doesn't matter as much as what you've learned during your time there. You should be proud of what you've worked to build up.
Voiceline 1: I’m sure we’ll continue to work together in the future. I’ll be in your care once again.
Voiceline 2: I’m indebted to you for doing the tasks assigned to you for these two years. Again, I’m grateful.
Voiceline 3: Though we don’t have much of an opportunity to work together, I’m well aware of your efforts. That in itself is amazing. Hold your head up and be proud.
Part 1
Do you want to see a world where [ONDA] could be a good son to his parents?
> Yes
> No
Tick, tock, tick, tock… I found myself relaxing to the sound of the clock hands ticking.
I was lying on the sofa and watching television.
Tomose: (... Right, there’s a lot I have to do.)
Before Yu went out, he had told me to start the washing machine and to cook some rice.
Tomose: (What a bother…)
Despite thinking that, I got up anyway.
Ever since we started living together, there was a part of me that had gotten used to this “bother”.
Yu: —I’m back.
Tomose: Welcome back.
Though I didn’t have a problem greeting Yu as he came back home…
Tomose: About 30 minutes left until the rice finishes.
As he headed towards the kitchen in the back, I confessed how long it’d take for the rice to be done.
Yu: This too? The laundry isn’t even done yet either.
Tomose: (Was I caught red-handed?)
The sound of the washing machine vibrated throughout my eardrums.
Yu’s ears must have picked up the sound too; that’s how he found out that the laundry wasn’t done yet.
Tomose: We didn’t promise that they had to be done before you’re back.
Yu: You’re making excuses.
Tomose: ……
Yu: Should I make dinner?
Tomose: Yeah.
Yu: I’ll prepare it right away.
After I nodded in response, I followed behind Yu as he headed towards the kitchen to help him out.
This was our ordinary day-to-day, just like any other. I savored the joy of being able to live today normally as well.
A few days later—
Yu: Doesn’t seem like the restaurant has a lot of customers around this hour.
Tomose: Then we can take our time. What are you getting, Yu?
There was only one menu placed on top of the table. I looked through it together with Yu, searching for something to order
Yu: I think I’ll get the chicken jambalaya. What about you, Tomose?
Tomose: I’ll also… Never mind, I’ll have the hamburger steak.
Yu: You’re thinking that you can try both if you order something else.
Tomose: You don’t have to point that out.
Whether to feel embarrassed or frustrated that he saw right through me—
Those feelings stirred within me as I placed my order…
Tomose: The sauce here is surprisingly really good.
I earnestly said my thoughts as I ate the warm food I had received.
Yu: Shall we order more?
Tomose: No. I’m going to save it for the next time we come here.
As we were talking about various things while eating, Yu suddenly spoke up with a serious expression.
Yu: What are we going to do with Father’s present this year?
Tomose: For his birthday?
Tomose: Last year, we gave him perfume. The one we picked together.
Yu: Right.
Tomose: Then, for this year, it’d be better to give something different…… How about a belt?
Yu: Didn’t we give him one before?
Tomose: Now that you mention it, you’re right.
As I looked back on the past, I became aware of just how much time has passed.
I realized that, in one way or another, Yu has always been present in my memories.
Part 2
As Dad’s birthday arrived, Yu and I visited our parents’ home.
Yu: I know it’s a little late to ask this but…
Yu: Are you sure it’s okay that we didn’t go with what you chose instead?
The present was a book cover.
We had trouble picking whose color of choice we should buy, but in the end, we went with the one Yu chose.
Tomose: (That’s rare…)
Undoubtedly, I was sure most people wouldn’t notice that Yu looks a little anxious right now.
Tomose: Dad would be happy with anything because you picked it.
Tomose: He might even cry. He’s been getting more easily moved to tears as the years go by.
Yu: So I don’t have to worry, huh…
And so, with a slight nervousness, we rang the intercom.
Mom: Coming.
The door swung open less than 3 seconds later.
Upon seeing Mom’s peachy face, my relief quickly gave way to shock.
Tomose: You should make sure who’s visiting before you open the door.
Mom: I couldn’t help myself when I thought it’d be you two.
Yu: You worry us.
Mom: Fufu, I shouldn’t worry you both. I’ll be careful next time.
Mom: …Come on in, come on in. Would you be a dear and help out with the cooking?
Yu: Okay.
Tomose: (Looks like there’s not much I need to do with Yu here.)
As if he had seen through me, Yu’s expression softened as he gazed at me.
While waiting in the living room with Dad, I watched Mom and Yu, who had their backs towards us while they were busy cooking.
Mom: Haven’t you already gotten better than me at cooking, Yu?
Yu: Better than Tomose at least, I’d say. After all, I do all the cooking.
Tomose: Yu, if you have something to say, tell me.
Yu: It’s not like I don’t want you to do it, Tomose.
Mom: Fufufu, you guys haven’t changed at all.
Dad: That’s true.
Familiar voices changed to bright laughter. Naturally, my heart became filled with warmth.
Dad: …I’m so happy.
Tomose: About what?
Dad: That you two came to celebrate my birthday. Isn’t it quite common for people to drift apart from their families as they become adults?
Tomose: I suppose so.
Myself aside, Yu, who was “taken in”, had assimilated perfectly into the “Onda household”.
He had no hesitation nor worries in loving Mom and Dad as his “own”.
Tomose: (I get really happy when this time comes around too, because Yu is able to enjoy it.)
Mom: Oh, you’re putting miso into the hamburger steak?
Yu: If you do that, the flavor becomes richer.
Mom: I see. Next time I make it, I’ll do that.
Yu: Mother’s hamburger steaks are fine as-is. It’s already delicious enough.
Mom: Then, why don’t you make some when you come back once in a while? I want to try some of yours.
Tomose: Alright.
I approached them while they were diligently kneading the patties, answering in Yu’s stead.
Tomose: We’ll try to come back whenever we can.
Dad: You two can come live here again, y’know.
Yu: We’ll become spoiled by that, so don’t think of it.
Mom: Fufu, it’s fine though.
Though I didn’t say it, Yu’s words hit the nail on the head.
Because I even found myself wishing to stay in this warmth forever.
Part 3
Once the table was filled with food, it was finally time for the birthday celebration to start.
Yu: It has been a while since I ate Mother’s cooking.
Mom: Ever since you guys started living together, you haven’t come back home at all.
Tomose: Because we don’t have any reason to come here.
Dad: You don’t need a reason to come. Just drop by once in a while, so your mother doesn’t get lonely.
Tomose: Right. We’ll try.
Dad: Now, we should dig in before the food gets cold. I’m having trouble deciding where to start with this much food.
Yu: ………
Tomose: (I know.)
As I felt Yu’s gaze, I nodded slightly.
Tomose: Before we do, could we have a bit of your time?
I held out the present that I had prepared with Yu to my dad.
Tomose: We’d get too nervous if we waited until later to give it to you. So we thought to do it now.
Yu: Happy birthday, Father.
Dad: Did you pick this together…?
Yu: Yeah.
Tomose: Yu picked the color.
Dad: …Thank you. You are both the best sons I could ask for…
Mom: Oh my, we’re celebrating your birthday, yet you’re crying.
Tomose: (He cried just like I thought he would.)
Dad’s hands were shaking as he took the present. I understood just how happy he was without having to ask him.
Dad: At this rate, I’ll be thinking about the present you have given me.
Dad: I’ll take a good look at it after we eat.
Tomose: Please, do so.
Mom: Then, thanks for the meal. Happy birthday to you.
Tomose: Happy Birthday.
After we said our wishes, we started to dig into the food laid in front of us.
Yu: Mother’s really good at cooking.
Dad: Right. Even if I went to heaven, I’d still want to eat it.
Tomose: Heaven, huh? It’s bad luck to talk about things like that on your birthday.
Yu: This reminds me of something you said before.
Yu: That if you could bring only one thing to a deserted island, it’d be Mother’s cooking.
Tomose: Dad even thought of the side dishes.
Dad: Well, that’s because your mom’s karaage is the best.
Mom: Oh my, you boys talked about this? It would’ve been nice if I was included in the conversation too.
As we happily talked, I brought the potage to my mouth.
I thought it was funny that they had prepared my favorite food as well, even though it was Dad’s birthday.
🍎 ☕️ Gourmet Hound, Vol. 1 will be coming to print as a graphic novel this fall! ☕️ 🍎
I'm so excited to finally be able to share the graphic novel version of Gourmet Hound! Volume 1 will be on sale October 27, 2026!
Pre-order Gourmet Hound, Vol. 1 here!
