Chapter 1: Rose's Melancholy

Mmm... Yeah, I can't get enough of this jazz music.

Pardon me, Captain Hirako. I'm here to retrieve the files I gave you the other day.

Oh, they're over there. Go on and take them.

Well, that's a surprise. You finished before I even had to ask.

What are you talking about? I'm always on time.

You were listening to this music again?

It's called jazz, correct?

Yeah, isn't it great? I can't get enough of this song.

Actually, I was going to say I'm getting tired of hearing this one.

Say what?!

Well, I guess I've been playing this song a lot lately.

Maybe I'll play another one. No wait, now that I think about it, I should go buy some new records.

Oh, and I can invite Rose, too.

You're not going anywhere until you've finished your work.

Not to mention, Captain Ohtoribashi has his own work. It would only inconvenience him if you invited him on a whim.

A smart man can work and play, and succeed at both. No need for you to worry.

Succeed at both, huh.

And why do you think lieutenants have a job? It's precisely for times like this.

Now that I've explained my part, I leave the rest to you, Sosuke.

Wait, Captain Hirako!

And there he goes.

Aha! Found him.

Hey, Rose! And Love, you're here too?

Got a problem with that?

Hey.

Nah, I just thought you must have nothing to do.

You're the one to talk.

*Sighhhhh*

Woah, hey. What's wrong, Rose? You're looking quite down today.

Ugh.

Apparently, his instruments got taken away from him.

Instruments?

He kept playing his guitar and violin, so they were hidden away to make him work.

Ahh, my dear Candice.

That's your fault. You're supposed to be more sneaky when you're trying to skip out on work.

I wasn't trying to skip out on work! I just wanted some inspiration! That's all!

Didn't she say she'd give them back to you as soon as you're done?

I can't concentrate unless I have Candice by my side.

I can't work without her.

Well, that defeats the purpose of taking them.

Hey, there he is! Rose!

We've got orders. You and I need to go investigate and defeat some Hollows.

Huh? He seems a little depressed. Is something wrong?

It's chronic. Don't worry about it.

Stop making it sound like it's a sickness.

I don't know what this is about, but we need to get going.