The Melancholy of Kanbara Misuzu 1

Thanks, Suzu!

Thanks to you, I have the courage to turn over a new leaf! Embrace life! I'll call you when I get out, promise!

If anything, YOU'RE the one who put in all the hard work.

Amazing work, Suzu! You've won "Student of the Month" 3 times in a row!

You're probably the only one who's ever done that in the history of the Corrections Bureau! In the history of Valkyrie!

Oh... I owe everything to the generous support of my peers.

Who else but Suzu, am I right?

Suzu? Oh, you must mean Kanbara Misuzu. Will she be okay? Her personality is so...

But her skills are undeniable.

(...Wait. What was that?)

There she is, the lady of the hour! You're Kanbara Misuzu, right?!

You've been appointed as the next head of the Corrections Bureau! How do you feel? What's your plan, Director?

(How did this happen...?)

(I never wanted any of this...)

...zu.

Suzu.

Hyaaah?!

Whoa! Are you all right?

Oh, yes. Thank you kindly. I was a bit distracted...

You space out a lot, Suzu! You should be more careful. I'd hate for some...unsavory type to get the jump on ya!

Heehee... Guilty as charged. I'll be more careful. Thank you for your concern.

...Yeah. Well, about that thing I was askin' you about... If you don't mind...

Oh, you mean this...?

Yeah, precisely! I can't get my morning started without a good hit!

Thanks, Suzu! You take it easy! Same time next week? You know I need my fix!

Well, actually, it's difficult to bring in outside items...on account of the current regulations.

So I might not be able to...

Huh? But you brought it in just FINE this time. And last week.

Yes, but those were...special cases, you see.

Then I hope you can find a "special case" next week too! It'd mean a lot to me!

Sure...

But, if I may offer a piece of advice, do try to wean yourself off them. They're not good for your health.

Huh? Yeah... You got a point there.

Hm? Wait. Freeze.

Ack! The prison guard!

Like I said before, we are NOT "prison guards." You know what? Forget it.

Just tell me what trouble you're up to.

Oh come on, you can't just go suspectin' me right off the bat like that!

You should reflect on YOUR actions and why you're here. And, more importantly...

...

...Let's save me the trouble of searching you, huh? Empty your pockets.

Tch.

...? What's this?

Can't you tell? Clearly, it's a stick...of drink mix. For a matcha latte.

If you need instant coffee, we can provide it. All you have to do is ask.

Yeah, but that stuff is bitter. It sucks.

So what if it's bitter...? This isn't a vacation, you know...

And where'd you get the money for them? These premium matcha sticks are expensive.

Oh, are they?

Wait, you didn't even know? Did you properly pay the director?

Oh, um, I just happened to have a box.

I'm sure it's frustrating to be all cooped up, and I thought it would be nice to give her a treat. Heehee...

Ah! After all, our main responsibility is ensuring the students' well-being, right?

Director.

...I guess it's not, huh? Heehee...

If you keep smuggling things like this, you'll give us more work.

I'm deeply sorry...

Hey! Don't be so harsh on Suzu. I'm the one who asked her! I was real pushy, too!

So if you're going to scold someone, then scold me!

I mean, yeah. I intend to.

Wait, why are you acting like I'M the bad guy?

All right, what's going on over here?

Oh, hey.

...Ah. I think I get the picture.

First, you there. Back to your cell. And take your contraband with you.

Sorry... I didn't mean to get you in trouble. I feel awful.

But you're right... I'll try to ease off the caffeine. Forgive me, Suzu!

Heehee... Take care.

We'll get back to work. Carry on, Director.

Yes, I look forward to working with you both again.

So, we're really going to let that go? Just move on and let it be?

You know how the director is. We need to work around her.

*sigh* You're way too soft, Misuzu.

Look, she's a great girl and I like her a lot, but...

I read you. Sometimes, you're just not cut out for the job.

I wish her well, but she's got no business running the Corrections Bureau.

...Another long day.

I've always thought that the director's office was too spacious. All this, for one person?

When I was a junior, everything was so cramped and crowded. I think it would be nice to share this space with everyone else.

I wonder if my predecessors felt the same way? Or am I truly the only one?

Well, there's no point in ruminating. I'll stop here.

All right, let's reflect on the good things. I finished my work rather quickly today, didn't I?

...I pushed myself a little too much, but the wheels are moving. We're all on schedule. Everyone's taken care of.

Fufu.

Knitting always helps me relax.

If only this moment could last forever...

Director!

Y-Yes?!

I'm so sorry to interrupt, but this is a bit of an emergency!

Oh, it's fine. There's no need to apologize. You're doing your best.

So, what's the matter?

Well, there was an escape attempt.

Wh-What?! Someone got out?!

When?! Who?! Was it Wakamo?! Did she act alone?!

Uh...no, ma'am.

She didn't act alone?!

Then how many Wakamos are we dealing with?!

Um, there's still only ONE Wakamo...

Wait, Wakamo escaped a while ago. You didn't know that?

Oh, right, she did... I recall. I was just so startled.

Director, please calm yourself. We suppressed the escape attempt.

But...this is a serious matter. We require your guidance, Director.

Here are the student's records.

Thank you. In that case...

...Could you give me some time to review the file? I would like to counsel her personally.

By "counsel"...you mean "interrogate"?

...It's not my favorite way to put it, but yes.

Madame Director, if I may... It's probably best that you refrain from personally speaking with a high-risk guest.

I know the Corrections Bureau well.

It's late and we don't have enough staff. Please allow me to help.

...Very well, ma'am. We'll prep a room for you.

...The Corrections Bureau wasn't always like this, you know.