ETSUSA BRIDGE Vol.1: BOWWOW! Two Dog Night Color Illustrations
The Overground City
KUGI SEIICHI, West Area Administrator
"Welcome to this newly founded city. We welcome you most sincerely. Whatever you may be after, you're already one of the collective 'us' from the moment you set foot in this 'city'."
How much you've already heard about this 'city' and how much you believe - that's not our business or our concern.
But I have to let you know this: most of that is nothing more than unfounded rumors.
The city of dangers? No way. You actually have a much slimmer chance of being involved in crime or gunfight here than you would in Los Angeles or the troubled regions of Middle East. - Well, if you're comparing it with Shinjuku or Shibuya, then sure, this is a more dangerous city.
This city's often compared to Kowloon Walled City, but the comparison bothers me. First off, I doubt all the media out there spreading these rumors have ever sent people to Kowloon themselves. But then before that, they've probably never even been to this island to begin with.
All those rumors only served to make more filth gravitate towards this city. This has gone beyond my comprehension. No, actually I probably do understand, but I wish that things weren't the way they are.
Anyway. You have my best wishes to not lead a life that fuels those rumors if you're to choose to live here.
- Hmm? You came here looking for freedom and the city's already failed you?
Hahah......it would seriously bother me if you don't get this straight. In this West Area there's one rule you have to abide by. Only one.
‘ - Do not try to disobey us.’
That's the only rule there is. That's pretty much freedom for you, isn't it?
So, I'll just wish you a cozy life here -”
The Underground City
KUZUHARA SOUJI, Head of the West Area Vigilante Corps
" - Hmm. I haven't seen you before. Ah, I see. You're new. (Silence.)
What is wrong? You've been staring at my face for a while now...it's making me uncomfortable.
You didn't expect to see a restaurant here? Well, few newcomers do. (Silence.)
- Ah, Yua. I'll have an omelet soba and oolong.
You'd better order something, too. This place is as cheap and good as it gets in the West Area. If you want to have a life here, you need to at least have food in your stomach.
Does money circulate here, you ask? Of course it does with the size of the population we have. If you don't like that you're free to go back to your train station or cardboard home in your park on the mainland. What I was trying to say was: work hard and build yourself an actual home there.
(Silence.)
Shut up and eat.
(Silence.)
- That was delicious. Yua, I don't have small cash on me so can you just write the amount down for now?
If you don't want to end up living like everyone else, then work. It's the same on this island.
I'm not going to welcome you to this place, but I'm not going to get in your way either. As long as you don't do anything stupid, that is.
If you've pictured this city as a freedom park or something you'd better say it now.
This is still Japan. There is no such thing as freedom that just falls in your hands here. ...Make sure you keep that in your mind."
The Lowest Stratum
INUI HAYATO, hoodlum
"Ah-ah...finally you ended up here. You've fallen to the lowest and worst place in this city.
You saw the fight just now, right? You're weak. How long do you think it'll be before they skin you alive like they did that guy?
But anyway, congratulations. At least you're obviously a real islander now. Seriously, buddy, you suck. Anyone who has set foot on this island has already sealed their fate as a failure, though.
You still want to make me believe that you're only here for sightseeing or looking for naughty stuff? I won't stop you from trying, but you'd have a much better shot in Tokyo or Osaka in my opinion. I don't know if you came here because of the rumors or not, but I'll tell you what I think: where there is real naughty stuff, rumors don't even talk about it.
After you've been here for a while you'll find that they call it a metropolis. So true! Even a place like this can be a great metropolis if you settle down. One piece of advice, though - any metropolis comes with crime and public hazards. Living in the countryside is easier than living in the city nowadays. The same goes for this place. The longer you live here, the more distasteful stuff you'll see.
But whatever. Welcome, welcome. This is the Island of Dreams, and unlike Tokyo Bay you can actually see hope here. It depends entirely on you whether your story will turn out like The NeverEnding Story or A Nightmare on Elm Street.
To enjoy life on this island you'll need 1% hard work, 5% inspiration, 20% experience and 99% luck. That's more than 100% in total? Of course it is, you idiot.
- You must overheat your life.
Because that is the minimum requirement for living a happy life in this city - ”
AUTHOR: Narita Ryohgo
ILLUSTRATOR: Yasuda Suzuhito
CONTENTS
Prologue - Mirror
Chapter 1 - Kuzu
Chapter 2 - Yua
Chapter 3 - Blue Blue Radio
Epilogue - Dogs on the Bridge
Reverberation - Kuzu Is Kuzu
Reverberation 2 - The End of the Dogs