Rise as One!

Nonogi Park

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1

Akito

Listen

I should get to know Max better...?
2

Honami

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Yes, such as what makes him happy or upset...
As well as how he moves and reacts to things...
3

Honami

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If you learn those things and develop some trust, I have a feeling that you'll become much more comfortable around him.
4

Akito

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I see...
5

Akito

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(I guess I get what she's saying...)
6

Akito

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(But is learning more about who he is really gonna help me feel less scared...?)
7

Max

Woof!

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8

Akito

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...
9

Akito

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(No, I have to give it a try...)
10

Akito

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(The reason I said I'd take Ishihara's place in that competition at all is because I could tell Max cares about his partner.)
11

Akito

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(If I can learn more about Max's personality like Mochizuki said, then...)
12

Akito

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Okay...
I'll give it a try.
13

Honami

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Wonderful...!
14

Akito

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Still, how exactly am I supposed to get to know Max better...?
15

Honami

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Oh, about that...
Why don't we start by watching how he behaves normally?
16

Honami

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We can stand at a bit of a distance.
That should be less stressful for you.
17

Rui

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That sounds good.
The simple act of observing with interest should give you more than enough information.
18

Minori

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Oh, I know! What if we all...?!
19

Dogs

Woof!
*Bark*
Woof.

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20

Honami

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No, Shibao, don't tug on your leash!
21

Minori

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They're so excited about making new friends!
22

Rui

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Yes, including Robo-Dog.
23

Robo-Dog

*Howl*

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24

Akito

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...
25

Akito

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(Who would've guessed the day would come when I'd be dog-watching...?)
26

Akito

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(But...)
27

Akito

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(I feel like I'm not learning much just seeing him walk around like this... Is this enough?)
28

Rui

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How are you feeling, Shinonome?
29

Akito

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Uhh... Okay.
We are standing pretty far away.
30

Akito

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But I'm not sure if I'm really learning anything about Max.
31

Rui

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Really? I thought going for a walk together was a wonderful idea.
32

Akito

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Huh...?
33

Rui

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For example, Samo's walking in lockstep with Hanasato, which tells me that he likes receiving attention from her...
34

Akito

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...
35

Rui

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Shibao has a strong sense of curiosity.
So strong that he can't seem to stay away from Robo-Dog.
36

Akito

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Really...?
37

Rui

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Hehe. Shall we put that to the test?
38

Rui

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Robo-Dog, triple Axel!
39

Robo-Dog

*Howl*

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40

Shibao

!!
41

Minori

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What?!
Did Robo-Dog just jump up and twirl around in the air?!
42

Honami

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Oh... Hehe.
Shibao can't seem to get enough of him.
43

Minori

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Yeah! He's sniffing him so much!
44

Rui

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See?
45

Akito

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(Wait, why's it able to jump like that...?)
46

Akito

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(Still, it's pretty clear now that each dog has a different personality...)
47

Rui

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Now, what about Max...?
48

Akito

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...
49

Akito

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(He walks a lot slower than the other dogs...)
50

Akito

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(He's even stopping to look at Ishihara from time to time for some reason...)
51

Akito

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(Is he worrying about his partner's ankle...?)
52

Child

Whoa! Look at all the doggies!
53

Akito

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Hm?
54

Mother

Stop! You shouldn't try to touch them without asking. I'm so sorry...
55

Honami

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No, that's okay.
Hehe. Do you like dogs?
56

Child

Yeah! It's really cool how smooth this one's fur is!
57

Ishihara

Oh, are you talking about Max?
Would you like to try petting him?
58

Child

Really?! Yay!
Hehe. I'm gonna pet his head!
59

Akito

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(Hm? His head...?)

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60

Honami

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I'd avoid his head or bottom since many dogs don't like being touched there immediately.
61

Akito

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(Uh-oh...)
62

Akito

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Wait, don't go touching his...
63

Max

...
64

Akito

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(He's fine with it? No, he looks a little uncomfortable... But he's not doing anything about it...)
65

Max

*Lick*
66

Child

H-Haha!
Mom, he licked me!
67

Mother

That's wonderful.
Now, you should thank this young man for letting you pet his dog.
68

Child

Okay! Thanks for letting me pet your dog!
Bye bye, doggie!
69

Mother

Thank you for being so kind.

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70

Akito

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He was so calm...

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71

Ishihara

Huh?
72

Akito

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He didn't like being touched on the head, right?
73

Ishihara

Oh, right.
But Max wouldn't kick up a fuss over that.
74

Ishihara

He also knew that it was a kid who was petting him... He's just a really nice guy!
75

Akito

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Yeah, I could tell...
76

Akito

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(He's been worried sick about his partner's ankle...)
77

Akito

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(And he didn't bark at that kid or anything, even though he was uncomfortable.)
78

Akito

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(He's really just that nice...)
79

Honami

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How do you feel now, Shinonome?
80

Akito

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Hm? Oh, uhh...
81

Akito

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Yeah, I think I have a slightly better idea of what he's like. I'm definitely less scared of him now...
82

Minori

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Really?!
Yay! My idea worked!
83

Honami

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Yes, it did! Then, why don't we keep watching Max for a little while longer?
84

Akito

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Okay, but... I don't know how much more I'll get out of just watching him go for a walk...
85

Honami

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Oh, right... Maybe we should have him do a few different things.
86

Rui

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In that case, why don't we try something a little more interesting next...?
Next Chapter: A Tall Order