Alright, let me give you guys a quick rundown of the rules.

It's actually pretty simple. The thrower will throw the disc, and you get points if your dog catches it...

You have sixty seconds to throw it as many times as you like, and you'll be competing based on how many points you can score.

I see... So, you want to get in as many throws as possible during that time?

Actually, that's not entirely the case.

You can score more points if your dog makes a long-distance catch.

Which means you can form a strategy based on a lot of short throws or try to maximize the points you score with each throw by going long.

Exactly! Also, you get no points if the disc hits the ground first.

That's why I've been aiming up a little and having Max make catches by jumping.

Yeah... Now that you mention it, even when I threw his disc in a panic the other day, he jumped up to catch it.

I can show you how high and far Max likes you to throw the disc as we go along.

Okay.

Anyway, let's start practicing.

Once you've gotten the hang of throwing the disc, we'll let Max join in.

Oh, in that case...

Would you like us to keep an eye on Max in the meantime?

That'd be great...!

Thank you both very much.

Alright, Shinonome, let's get started!

Okay.

(Keep your arm flat while at chest level and...)

Throw.

Whoa! Nice throw, Shinonome...!

Your control's perfect!

I think I've got the hang of things.

So, next...

*Nod*

I'll go let the others know that we're going to start practicing with Max!

(Things have been going well so far, but the hard part starts here...)

(Your dog catching the disc you've thrown isn't the end of it. You have to get it back in order to throw it again.)

(Getting a disc back from a charging dog...)

(Now's not the time for that...

You've gotta honor the commitment you've made.)

Thanks for waiting, Shinonome!

We're back!

Woof!

Alright, I'll try throwing it...

Okay, let me know if you don't feel comfortable. I'll make sure to stop Max.

You can do it, Shinonome...!

(Alright...)

Max, catch...!

Woof!

Oh wow... That's incredible, Shinonome.

The disc's flying so straight.

Yeah, and Max is going right after it!

Woof!

Oh, he jumped up and caught it! That was so cool...!

That just leaves...

(Now I have to get it back from him and throw it again...)

Pant... Pant... Pant...

(Keep your cool...)

Pant...! Pant...! Pant...!

(...!

Keep your cool...!)

...!

Uh-oh...!

Max, stop!

Woof!

Alright, good boy. Come here.

Damn...

Oh...

Are you okay, Shinonome...?

Yeah...

(What am I doing...?)

I'm sorry, Shinonome. I know this isn't easy for you...

Why are you apologizing?

I chose to take this on.

If anything, I should be the one apologizing for freaking out. I know he's your partner...

Shinonome...

Lemme give it another try...

I'll get it right this time for su—

*Howl*

Woof! Woof!

(Huh? That wasn't Max or either of our other dogs. Was someone else's nearby...?)

Hm? Shinonome, is that you?

Wait, huh...?!

What are the odds of us bumping into each other here?

Kamishiro...!

Ah, Mochizuki, Hanasato.

How have you both been? Good, I hope.

Yes, and it's very nice to see you again!

Sorry, this is...?

Oh, he's a senior at my school. Not the best example, though.

Is this your dog, Kamishiro?

It's so cute and fluffy and... Hang on a second...

It's making this sort of buzzing noise...

Don't tell me. It's...

Yes, a dog robot.

I happened to come across this old build while cleaning my room. So, I decided to give it some upgrades and take it out for a walk to see if it still works.

Wh-What...?!

You made this dog yourself, Kamishiro?!

Th-That's astounding...

What can't you make at this point...?

Woof!

(Whoa, it even barks like a real dog...)

By the way, can I ask what you were all doing just now...?

Oh, we were practicing for a disc dog competition...

Disc dog...?

Yes. He's taking my place due to an injury that I've sustained.

Oh, I see.

Still, are you sure about this...?

Huh...?

Based on your behavior, I get the feeling that you're having quite a lot of trouble.

In particular, when it comes to interacting with a dog.

What? How did you...?

Hehe. I'd rather you didn't underestimate a director's intuition.

Urgh...

But you're right. It hasn't been going all that well...

I see...

You have no problem throwing the disc, but have trouble taking it back from the dog.

Yes. That's why I need to get back to practicing...

Hmm...

(I could conceivably take his place in this competition...)

(But Shinonome seems to be doing his best to work with Max...)

(So, I should try giving him whatever support I can.)

I understand why you feel so pressured since the competition is tomorrow, but I feel that you first need to get used to being with a dog before practicing with the disc...

I fear that you'll never succeed while this phobia of yours goes unresolved.

But...

So, let's see...

You could start by petting or playing with him.

Playing with him?

Would that really work?

I agree with him!

Me too...

I feel that you'll be able to take the disc from him without any issues if you take things slowly one step at a time.

...

Yeah, I guess that makes sense...

But I'm still not sure about petting him...

Oh, in that case, why don't I start by petting him while you watch...?

He's only just met me. So, seeing me pet him should in theory make things a little easier for you.

She has a point...

Then, if you don't mind...

Of course.

First, introduce yourself by letting him smell the back of your hand. Like this...

Introduce myself?

Yes. Dogs are no different from us humans. We don't like being touched by strangers.

Which is why it's important to give dogs a chance to first learn your scent. That's the initial step towards forming a bond with them.

I see...

When you go to pet him, try starting by gently scratching his jaw. I'd avoid his head or bottom since many dogs don't like being touched there immediately.

...

That's about it. How do you feel, Shinonome...?

Alright, I'll give it a try...

(First, present the back of your hand...)

*Sniff*

...!

Oh no...!

This is going to be far more difficult than I realized...

(Argh! I can't stop my body from pulling away whenever a dog comes near...)

(Is it impossible for me to even introduce myself to him...?)

May I ask how long you've been afraid of dogs, Shinonome?

Huh...?

Understanding the root cause of your phobia may help us find the right solution. Would you mind telling us what happened exactly?

But...

Alright, I'll tell you guys...

It happened one day when I was still in preschool. I went to play at the park with my family and...