Finale
Annah suddenly requested time off.
She said the New Year's festival tomorrow would be her best chance to catch the culpit.
Pretty much everyone in NOA attends the festival, right?
And if you consider how these kinds of criminals behave...
There's a high chance they'll try to blend into a crowd like this!
Especially that coat scrap you risked yourself to get last time...
It is... seriously helpful!
Fired up by her enthusiasm, I decided to go along with her.
Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the festival!
No problem. Take care out there!
...That was the thirteenth inspection, wasn't it?
Oh wow, already?
Well, it can't be helped. It's a festival!
Festivals are like... a maze of scents.
Like sniffing for spoiled dough among a pile of freshly made donuts.
Why are all your metaphors about donuts...?
...Huh?
Captain, this way!
Wait up!
Annah was so in the zone that her eyes were closed as she charged ahead.
She dragged me until we finally arrived before a man wearing a coat.
Hello! I'm Annah Crawford from the NOA Town Guard!
Would you mind participating in my Heart-Pounding Random Inspection?
R-random inspection?!
Oh, it's nothing serious! We've just gotten a lot of reports lately.
Reports that a shady figure's been walking around wearing nothing under his coat.
So if you could just show us the inside of your coat real quick, you're free to go!
Oh, well if it's just that...
...Ah! Ma'am, there's a naked man in a black coat right behind you!!
Huh?! You mean the Captain?!
Now's my chance!
...He got away.
You really fell for that?!
W-well...
My mind knew it was a trick, but my heart still skipped a beat...
I mean... there was the teeniest tiniest chance it was true...!
...
...I'm sorry! L-let's chase him down!
Damn it, they'll catch me for sure if I'm on foot...
...Huh?
A cargo truck? And the driver's seat's empty.
That's it...!
Ugh, can't drive without my coffee first—
...Huh?
Hey! That's my truck! Get out of there!
It's dangerous! The cargo is full of...!
He's escaping in that truck!
Y-yeah.
...Mm, I really didn't want to do this, but...!
I seriously didn't want to!
You're smiling ear to ear right now!
That's not important! Not important at all!
Annah beamed... as she thrust her town guard badge high into the air.
This is the town guard! Anyone here willing to lend us their vehicle?!
If there's any damage, we'll compensate you with a new one with our budget!
Like that's actually going to—
It's a win-win situation!
The owner gets a new car out of it, so it's a win for them!
And I get a ride for our pursuit, so it's a win for me!
Everyone involved comes out smiling!
Pretty sure the Town Guard's accountant won't be...
That's not important! Not important at all!
Look! Do you see that?!
Captain! Listen closely!
Once we get close, I'm going to jump onto the truck!
I'll leap on the count of three, so get ready!
What about this car?!
What do you mean?
Obviously, you're driving!
But I'm in the passenger seat!!
Wait, you've never done a car chase from the passenger seat?!
Of course not!!
A-ha, so you haven't!
It's fine! Don't worry!
Everyone's got a first time! ☆
One... two-three-go!!
Aaaahhh!!
*Huff* *Huff*
Those persistent town guards...
You think I haven't ditched pigs like you before?
I'll just keep driving and disappear once I find a good spot—
...Huh? Feels like something just landed on the truck...
Hello! Town Guard reporting in!
Whoaaaa?!
You jumped onto the truck?! Why are you going this far?!
I'm not even that big of a deal!
I agree! You're just a small-time crook!
But!
I made up my mind the moment you used the Captain's naked image to fool me.
That it was... an act of defiance against the town guard!
What are you even talking about?!
Now then, put on these cuffs—
*Chss*
..."Chss?"
Huh? That noise coming from the cargo bay...
It's dangerous! The cargo is full of...!
Fire hazard symbols, handle with care logos, and pipe-shaped cylinders...
...Yeah, I'm sure of it.
What we've got here is festival-grade fireworks with impact-sensitive fuses—
Annah?!
Right after Annah jumped onto the truck, an explosion went off.
As the truck flipped over, I slammed the brakes.
Ugh...
The smoke from the fireworks... I can't see anything...
Annah! Are you there?!
Captain... you came... for me...?
*Gasp* Two shadows in the smoke... both wearing black coats...
W-which one is the Captain?!
Tackle the guy on your left!
No, it's the right one! Get him!
...Th-this is bad.
The smoky gunpowder smell is too strong... I can't sniff them out...
Hurry! If we don't catch him now, he'll get away!
Don't listen to him! Just stay still, I'll come to you!
...
This is...
Gotcha!
H-how?! You couldn't even see...
Time for your surprise inspection, just like I promised!
Hold still, just gonna take a peek inside that coat...
Ugh, there's no defending this.
You're under arrest for public indecency, resisting arrest, and grand theft auto!
You have the right to remain silent, as well as the right to an attorney.
Let's save the small talk for the station, shall we?
We've got top-of-the-line facilities—detention cells, interrogation rooms, evidence storage—everything you could ask for! ☆
Annah!
Ah, will the real Captain please stand up!
Nice work!
How'd you know it was me?
A good town guard always has a sharp eye!
...And I've been watching you for a long time, Captain.
I could tell by your shadow alone.
Not sure if that's sweet... or creepy...
Eheh! Captain, I think you've got what it takes to be a great town guard!
Since we're here... want to try putting him in cuffs?
Am I allowed to?
Yup! You've got a licensed town guard supervising, after all!
And you worked extra hard today, Captain.
So think of it as a little reward! Here you go!
Not sure if this counts as a reward, but...
*Click*
...Well? Did you feel the satisfying snap?
Oh, no need to answer.
I just caught a whiff of something nice.
And with that, case closed!
Alright, partner! High five!
As our hands met, a firework exploded behind Annah.
The leftover fireworks launched one after another into the sky.
Her playful smile lit up in every dazzling color.
...I stood there, taking in her face until it was time for us to head back.