After the devastating news about phaethon potentially partnering with the Victoria Housekeeping faction. Nicole begins to reflect on her relationship with the two proxies. Does she truly see them as just tools for her own business plan or are they just as important to her beyond business partners…
-?-
Within an abandoned trainyard, there were several mysterious black creatures attacking the cunning hares. Billy uses his two hand guns to shoot directly right between the forehead, pushing it back with enough force as it hits the ground unconscious before it disappears.
Another creature jumps up and attempts to attack Billy with its sharp blade, but clashes with Anby's blade. Sparks flew from the clash. She was able to push back the creature, giving her a good distance between them. Tossing the blade up a little from her hand before she grips the handle and zips across the field before swinging her blade upward as she slashes it in half.
"Gah! There's too many of them!" Billy said as he took notice of more creatures coming around.
"Stay calm Billy." Anby said as she took several steps back. "Remember, our job is to protect the proxy from getting injured."
"I know!" He said as he spotted another creature dashing straight towards them. He aimed his gun before shooting several bullets at it before it fell down and disintegrated. "But it doesn't exactly make it better with more and more ethereals popping out of nowhere!"
As Anby and Billy were busy with the ethereals in front, they fail to realize two jumping in the air and prepare to attack the cunning hare members. However, before they could land a hit, they were met with a foot to the face by Nekomata. She lands her foot on one's face and sends her victim to hit the other one before sending them flying in the opposite direction. Landing on all four of her limbs behind the two.
"Thank you for the assist, Nekomata. Though I was already aware of them behind us." Anby said.
Nekomata pouted somewhat. "Then next time you handle it instead of leaving it to me."
More ethereals were coming after the group, preparing for a group attack. Before they land an attack, Nicole comes rushing towards her team and aims her briefcase at the ethereals. Nicole glares at the enemies, gripping the handle bar, the case opens up revealing a cannon. Dark matter charges up from the cannon before shooting at the ethereals. The group being consumed within the dark matter before being disintegrated.
Nicole grit her teeth. "There's just no end to them."
"What's going on, are you sure the proxies are leading us in the right direction? Because it seems like we're just going straight into enemy territory." Nekomata pointed out.
"Not sure…" Nicole muttered.
She looks over at the small robot rabbit who was aimlessly walking ahead. Unaware of more ethereals about to jump on it. Nicole, being quick on her feet, swings her briefcase with bullets shooting out from the end. Hitting the ethereals before smacking them with the object sending them flying away from the bangboo.
She glares at the bangboo. "H-Hey! Be careful will you! Are you trying to-" She stops when she notices the bangboo is not responding but is still in auto mode as it continues to walk aimlessly ahead.
Billy and the others took notice of the behavior.
"H-Hey, why aren't they responding? Are they mad or something?" Billy asked.
"Perhaps…Nicole is haggling the pay again...per usual." Anby muttered.
Nicole flinched, feeling something sharp hit her in the heart again. It only got worse…
"Yeah, that definitely must be it." Nekomata agreed.
Nicole bit her lips as she snapped her head at the group. "N-No! That's not it! That's not it at all!"
"But Boss, you don't care about others." Billy said in an uncharacteristically tone.
"H-Huh?"
By this point. All three of them gathered around her. Looking at her with shadows over their faces, glaring at her with ice piercing glares.
"It was your motto, was it? The Cunning Hares only cares about money, not for others." Anby said.
"So why should it matter to you what will happen to the managers? If anything, I'm not surprised if you decide to leave them behind and save your own skin." Billy said, Nicole noting how his tone is drastically different.
"That is typical of you Nicole." Nekomata agreed.
Nicole's lips trembled, her eyes started to tear up. She shook her head furiously. "N-No…you're wrong! I don't…it's not….it isn't like that at all!"
"It's true though." Anby said harshly. "You only care for money. Too cheap to provide for your own faction. Will do anything to keep a few change of money only for yourself. Always putting our fraction into financial situations with loan sharks. We can't even make rent because of you."
Nicole's heart ached. Tears threaten to leak from her eyes. "B-B-But I…I've always…I managed to keep us afloat, r-right? I-I-I always have been there for us…g-guys…"
"But we're always landing back into the reds though." Billy countered. "And it's not like we're the most well-liked factions in New Eridu. Everyone heard nasty rumors about us and that is the reason why we can't continue on like this."
"If you were a better boss and a better friend! Then none of this would ever happen!" Nekomata yelled.
Nicole felt her legs going weak. She starts to feel pressured by her group. The area around her starts to fade into white void space. But she didn't pay attention to her surroundings as her attention was on her three friends.
"N-No…I'm not…I'm not…"
Anby glares at her. "The phaethons were right on leaving us. And to be frank…the Cunning Hare would do just better off without you."
She felt her heart crack. She took a step back feeling weak. Taking another step back, before she fell on her butt. Looking up at the group as they tower over with ice piercing glares. The area around them changed to nothing but a white void space.
"From this point onward, the Cunning Hares will do much better without you." Anby said as she turned around not before giving her one last glare. "Goodbye Nicole. Good luck with your nonsensical dream of becoming rich."
On that note. Anby left with Billy and Nekomata tagging along. Heading further into the white abyss.
Nicole stumbled forward as she tried to reach out towards them. "N-No…guys! P-Please wait! Don't l-leave me! PLEASE!"
But they didn't hear. They walked further and further away before they slowly faded away one by one. Not paying mind to her pleas.
"GUYS! PLEASE DON'T GO!"
"Why should they listen to you?"
Nicole gasped when she heard a familiar voice from behind. She looked over her shoulder and spotted two familiar figures standing, glaring at her. The bangboo that they were originally protecting was replaced with both Belle and Wise.
Nicole's breath stuttered as she just stared at the two wide eyed. "P-Phaethon?"
"Honestly, you, caring for others? I can't see that." Belle said as she pushed her finger against her forehead. "If anything, all you do is take advantage of us for your own selfish needs."
"You never change Nicole." Wise said with a similar tone to Belle. "Never have. Never will. But I guess I shouldn't expect much from you anyways." He said as he rubbed the back of his head with a tired tone.
Nicole bits down on her lip to force herself to stop crying. But it didn't stop one single tear from dripping against her cheeks. She attempts a small (hopeful) smile. "W-We're…we're…f-friends…r-right?"
Complete silence between the three.
Before both the siblings burst out laughing. Nicole's smile soon faded as it was now replaced with a frown. Staring blankly at the two proxies.
"Friends with you!? Don't make me laugh! How would we be friends with someone like you!?" Belle said with a mocking tone.
"Stingy, cheap, only cares for yourself, leave others with the bill and not pay for yourself. Yeah, no such friends here." Wise said with an equal mocking tone similar to Belle.
More tears dripped against her cheeks. Her lips trembled, her breathing became heavy. "B-But…"
Belle's expression changed to a glare. "Like hell we're friends. You only care to make an easy Dennies out of us. It's the only reason why you're in debt with us in the first place. Then there are those loan sharks as well, I mean, good for Anby and the others for leaving you."
"They don't deserve to be dragged into your messes. And we don't want anything to do with you either." Wise said to the terrified Nicole. "First-class? Don't make me laugh. If anything you are nowhere near first-class. You're just some street kid."
"N-No…y-your…"
Both Wise and Belle dug into their pockets. Fishing out similar photos of them at a restaurant with the cunning hares.
"You're a terrible person and a terrible friend as well." Belle said.
"Consider this our end…"
Both of them set their fingers on the middle edge of the photo, Nicole released a short but terrified gasp.
"We're officially cutting ties with the Cunning Hares." Wise declared.
"NO! DON'T!"
*Riiiip!*
But it was too late. The moment they tore the photo in half. Nicole's heart completely shattered. Tears started to flow out uncontrollably from her eyes. She just watched in horror as the siblings tossed the paper on the ground near her. Her eyes look at the torn photos. The picture they took together after their successful commission, the meaning behind it was now gone.
Nicole started to breathe uncontrollably, her tears not stopping from falling to the ground. She couldn't utter a single word aside from a few croaks here and there.
"We'll continue our partnership with Victoria Housekeeping. At least they provide better service than what you can offer to us. And stable payment as well." Wise said.
Nicole slowly looks up. "N-No…p-please…"
"Goodbye Nicole. It was fun while it lasted…not like you care anyways." Belle said as she walked ahead.
"Goodbye…forever." Wise said as he followed after his sister.
Nicole's lips trembled hard. Trying her best to stop the tears, but it only got worse as she watched the two siblings walking further. Gritting her teeth, she quickly got up and rushed towards them.
"WAIT! DON'T GO! I'M SORRY OKAY! I'M SORRY!" Nicole yelled with tears flying out from her eyes.
But they didn't hear. Or didn't even listen.
Nicole became desperate. Reaching her hand out. "PLEASE DON'T GOOO! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PARTNERS! RIGHT!? FRIENDS!? PHAETHONS!"
Belle and Wise's bodies begin to slowly fade out of existence. Nicole pushes herself faster as she tries to reach out for them. But it felt like she wasn't remotely getting anywhere close to them. They walked further and further, slowly fading away.
"BELLE! WISE! PLEASE!" Nicole's voice becomes desperate as she starts to stumble with her running. "DON'T GO! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!"
They're figure soon vanished from her view. Gone.
Nicole trips on herself. Falling to the ground. She lifts her head up, staring into the white abyss, not a sound. Not a single person was around. Tears continue to drip from her eyes and onto her cheeks. Biting her lower lips she breaks down into tears.
Silently crying to herself within the dead zone.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…p-please…p-please come back…please…"
-Nicole's Room-
12:30pm
Nicole woke up with a gasp.
Lifting her body up from her bed. Taking a good look at her surroundings. She was back within her own room. She then quickly reaches for the photo on her desk, taking a good look at it as she gently strokes it.
Hugging the photo to her bosom as she falls back onto the bed. "It was just a dream…it was just a dream…" Nicole repeatedly told herself.
*Knock. Knock.*
She hears someone knocking on the door. She rose from the bed and set the photo on the dresser before getting up. Slowly almost falling on herself, she stood back up and walked over to the door.
She opens the door half way, expecting it to be Anby or any of the others to check up on her. But she opens it to find no one was there. Only to hear a familiar sound from below her.
"Enu-naa." (Nicole?)
She looks down to see a green Bangboo looking up at her with a concerned expression. "O-Oh…Amillion…"
"Ehn-ne-na." (Nicole? Good?)
Nicole opens the door all the way as she lowers herself down to the bangboo level. "Y-Yup. I'm doing good, Amillion. Don't worry."
But the bangboo tilted its head at the young woman. "Ehn-ne-noo." (Then. Why tears?)
Nicole immediately took notice and wiped her tears away. "I-I'm not crying. I-I just had something in my eyes. That's all!"
"Ehne-noo." (Not lying?)
Nicole sniffled a few before forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Amillion! Really I am! Don't worry about me! Um…i-is it just you?"
"Ehn-ne-eh-noo." (Others. Went out. Amillion. Stay and watch Nicole.)
"O-Oh…" Nicole said as she eyed her own hands on her knee. Shaking her head she smiled at the bangboo once more as she pets it. "Guess it's just you and me, huh?"
Amillion tilts its head curiously before nodding with a grunt.
Nicole walks into the living room, noticing how quiet and empty it was. Nicole takes a deep breath as she walks over to the couch and allows her back to fall on it. She rested for a moment before she took notice of Amillion trying to get on top of the couch.
She reaches out and helps it get on the couch. "There you go, little guy."
Amillion made a happy noise towards Nicole who attempted a soft smile at the bangboo before returning to rest her head on the couch. She looks up at the ceiling thinking back about the dream she had…not more of a dream but more of a nightmare.
She recalled the chilling feeling of her teammates turning against her and then there were phaetons…that broke her heart the most. Ripping the photo in half in front of her…it completely shattered her heart.
She took a deep shaky breath, trying her best not to remember.
"Ehne-naa." (Nicole?)
She looks at Amillion who sets it stubby hand on her lap. Looking at her with a concerned look. Nicole smiled softly at the bangboo. "I'm fine, Amillion…really I am…"
Her smile soon faded as she just looked forward at the blank TV screen. Looking at her own reflection. Sitting there…completely broken. Who was she kidding? She was not okay. She was far from okay.
"Hey…Amillion…" Nicole asked her bangboo. "Am I…a terrible person?"
Amillion blinked as it tilted its head.
"I mean…I know I'm not the most…well liked person in New Eridu. The way how I turn everything into a profit business, how I try to do things illegally and how I charge people. B-But…I only do that for the Cunning Hare own future…I try to provide the best for Anby, Nekomata, Billy…even the managers…b-but…I also tend to put us through a lot of debt as well…which is not good for us as well…"
Nicole's breathing became a little heavy and shaky. Tears building behind her eyes once more.
"I take money from loan sharks…I don't pay off my debt with phaethon…and in the end…I just put us through so many trouble *hic* one after another…I…I'll admit…there are moments when I take advantage of their good nature…"
Soon, Nicole started crying. Tears falling down from her face.
"I-I…they were right…all of them were right…I'm…I'm a terrible person *hic* and a terrible friend…" Nicole sobbed into her hands.
Amillion ears downcasted as it looks at Nicole with a sadden expression. The pink-haired woman crying her heart out. Thinking about the nightmare she had, causing her to breakdown in such a mental state. The bangboo walked closer to Nicole and set it hand on her shoulder.
"E-Ehna-naa-nuu." (Nicole. Not terrible.)
"H-Huh?" Nicole gasped as she looked at the bangboo.
"Ehne-naa-noo-ehhh!" (Nicole. Stingy. Cunning. Cheap. But not bad.) Amillion attempts to speak to grab her attention. "Ehna-nee-nuu-ehhh!" (Not terrible. Strong leader. Cares very much for her team.)
Nicole blinks through her tears as she looks at Amillion with a surprised expression.
"E-Ehnaa-noo-ehnuuu-ehhhh!" (N-Nicole is stingy. Yes. Nicole can be cheap. Yes. But Nicole cares. She's kind to her members. Kind to Eous parents. Make sure Cunning Hare stays afloat. Not terrible. Far from it.)
"A-Amillion…" Nicole stuttered through her tears.
"Ehnaa-ehnuuu-naa!" (Nicole may not be rich. But has something more precious than Dennies.)
Nicole blinked. Anticipating Amillion's answer.
"Ehnaa-nuu!" (Nicole has a heart of gold. More valuable than Dennies. Sure. Cannot buy with such. But more precious than Dennies. Billy. Anby. Nekomata. Even Eous parents. Love Nicole. Amillion love Nicole. No matter what!)
Nicole released a soft gasp before covering her mouth. She felt her heart flutter from Amillion words. Tears build up in her eyes, allowing some drops to drip against her cheeks. Her lips formed into a small smile, wiping the tears from her eyes, she looked at Amillion with a smile.
"Amillion…you really…think of that of me…"
"Ehnn-naa-nuu!" (Yes! I love you Nicole!) Amillion said with the brightest sound it could make.
Nicole wraps her hands around Amillion's body and brings it close into a hug. She embraced the bangboo against her, rubbing her chin on top of Amillion heads. "Thank you Amillion…I'm sorry for treating you wrong."
"Ehna-na-nuu!" (Amillion. Loves Cunning Hares. Nicole. Best Parent!)
Nicole stifles out a small laugh before she releases the bangboo, wiping a few tears away from her eyes, she looks back at the bangboo with a small smile. She rests her cheeks on the palm of her hands.
"Hey…Amillion," The bangboo tilted its head. "You want a new voice chip?"
The bangboo perks its body up with a jump.
Nicole smiled at the bangboo. "Come on, I mean would you like that. I…I know I went cheap on your voice chip and all. And…that's the reason you're speaking the way you are…" Nicole said as she messed with the strand of her hair feeling a little embarrassed.
"S-So…seeing how you are also a member of the Cunning Hare…h-how about it? Of course, I-I need to see if our budget allows us for it."
"Ehnna-nuu!" (No need.) Amillion shook its head.
Nicole blinks. "Huh? B-But don't you want to speak properly?"
"Ehnne-na-nuu." (Amillion. Likes current voice. Present. From Nicole. I'll cherish it.)
Nicole blinks at the bangboo. She couldn't help but smile. "Amillion…"
*Beep. Beep. Beep*
She hears her phone on the side. Reaching out for it, she flips her phone up. Seeing a familiar name there…
[Belle]: Nicole. It's us again. We were checking in on you to see how you were doing? You okay?
[Wise]: Correction. Belle was the only one who wanted to check up on you. I keep telling her that there's nothing to worry about.
[Belle]: Liar! You were also worried too!
Nicole stifled another laugh before she texted back.
[Nicole]: Hey guys…I'm doing fine.
Nicole frowned once more, while she was slightly better from Amillion comfort and all, but was she truly fine? No…there was something on her chest she needed to get off…and that concerned the twins.
[Belle]: You sure? You were acting really weird yesterday? Like, you're not usually that considerate when it comes to money. And you were apologizing…a lot.
[Wise]: Belle is right. Nicole, if something is wrong. You can tell us. We're friends.
[Belle]: Wise is right. We're friends Nicole. If you have something on your mind, say something. Don't just keep it to yourself.
A light gasp escaped her lips, her fingers twitched, not moving an inch from their position. She remembered her nightmare. The Cunning Hare left her and went off their own way without her. But what broke her heart the most…were Belle and Wise. The two she comes to consider not just business partners…but also close friends.
She vividly remembers both proxies tearing the photo apart in front of her. And then walked away. She could still remember the cold glare they gave her, how they tore the photo in half, that which completely shattered her heart into pieces.
"No!" Nicole screamed as she lunged forward.
Holding her stomach, terror written on her face. Breathing heavily as she felt the tears in her eyes building up. Amillion became concerned about Nicole's behavior.
"B-Breathe Nicole…breathe Nicole…" She muttered to herself. "It was a dream…just…a…"
* Beep. Beep. Beep*
Nicole hears her phone echoed alongside the pounding of her heart. She looks at her phone with a tremble.
* [Belle]:You're so pathetic. *
[Belle]: Hey, are you okay?
Nicole releases a sharp gasp.
*[Wise]: Like we ever care about you. Don't make me puke. *
[Wise]: You haven't said anything in a while….
Nicole's vision blurred as she could hear her heart pounding. Her eyes glued to the screen as she swore she was seeing double messages.
*[Belle]: Don't ever come near us again. *
[Belle]: Nicole? Are you there?
* [Wise]: You're the worst. *
[Wise]: Nicole? You okay?
* [Belle]: Horrible. *
* [Wise]: Cheap. *
* [Belle]: Disgusting. *
"SHUT UP ALREADY!"
….
Nicole breathed heavily. Beads of sweat dripped against her skin. Her body hunched forward, her hair covered both sides of her face like curtains, staring at her own feet with fear on her face. Tears dripped out of her eyes and onto her foot.
She hears whimpers from her side, she snaps out of her daze and looks over at Amillion who was cowering in fear with his back against the armrest of the couch.
Nicole released a sharp gasp from her lips. "Oh…I-I'm sorry little one. I wasn't mad at you, honest. I was…I…"
Nicole's thoughts trailed off as she recalled her little episode just a second ago. She hears her phone going off again. A knot tied in her stomach, did she dare to look back at her phone. Ugly thoughts raced back in her mind before she violently shook her head.
"No…no…." Nicole repeated in a tired tone.
Putting her phone in her pocket to ignore the incoming texts. She reaches out to Amillion who flinched a little at her touch…only to soften when he leaned into her soft touch. Nicole released a sympathetic smile as she brought the bangboo in for another hug. Feeling the small hands wrapped around her waist.
Despite the comfort she was giving and receiving, it still didn't help the issue at hand.
"What should I do…? I need to talk to the proxies…no." She shook her head. "I can't face them…not like this…but I can't keep this to myself…maybe Anby and the others…I consider them as friends but…"
She once again recalls the dream she had.
"No…I want to get over this…but I'm…"
*Beep. Beep. Beep*
Her phone went off again in her pocket. She already knows who was texting her. But she was too frightened to look back at her phone. As those ugly thoughts raced through her head once more.
"Ugh…I…I need some fresh air. Yeah…m-maybe that will help. Better than staying in this apartment." She took a deep breath before looking at her bangboo. "Hey…Amillion? You wanna go for a walk."
Amillion tilted its head.
"I know it's sudden and all, but please…" She said as she started playing with her hair a little. "I can't…go by myself."
"Ehne-naa!" (Amillion. Go with Nicole!)
Nicole released a soft smile as she rubbed the top of its head. "Thanks little buddy."
She got up from the couch as Amillion followed her lead, jumping off and landing on the floor. The bangboo followed behind Nicole as she walked towards the door, opening it, she allowed Amillion to go out first before closing the door behind them.
-At the Park-
12:45pm
Sitting on a nearby bench, Anby, Billy and Nekomata were sitting together at a bench right at the park. Anby was too preoccupied looking at her phone, seeing if Nicole would respond to one of her messages she sent.
[Anby]: Nicole. We just got done with the commission. We're possibly going to head to the store. Do you want anything?
Was the message she sent, but so far she has not received any messages from her thus far. "Nicole…"
"Stupid cat."
Anby glances to her left. She sees the cyborg who was currently sitting with his arms crossed. His eyes angled showing that he was angry with his face being covered in a total of 6 scratches on him. One on his side and the other on his forehead.
"Stupid cat and it stupid claws and its…ugh!" Billy groans.
Nekomata glares at the cyborg. "Can you stop complaining already?"
"How can I not!? That cat really messed up my face! Look at it!" Billy pointed to his face.
"It's not that bad."
"Nekomata! Do you know how long it takes to get these scratches off? Too long!"
The cat girl just gives him a blank stare. "And I should care why?"
"My face! And it's uneven as well! One on my cheek! And one on my forehead! It's uneven!"
"Oh brother…" Nekomata said as she looked at the cyborg who was currently sobbing silently to himself. Rolling her eyes. "Okay, come here."
"H-Huh?"
"Let me patch you up."
Billy had tears in his eyes as he looked at Nekomata. "N-Nekomata~!"
"Yeah, yeah. Get over here so I can patch you up."
By this point, Billy jumps for joy as he leans near Nekomata. "Oh Nekomata! You're so kind and reliable! You are the absolute-"
*Scratch!*
Billy stopped talking as he felt some claws scratching against the other side of his cheeks. He looks at Nekomata who offers an innocent smile.
"All done."
"GAH! WHY!?"
"Why? You said it was uneven. So I patched you up." Nekomata said with a still smile.
"Y-You! You did that on purpose! You didn't need to scratch me like that!"
"Huh? But you were complaining that it was uneven. I don't see the issue." She said before giving him a smirk.
"Guh! I can't believe you! Don't go ruining my face even more! Ah man, this is gonna take forever to clean off!" Billy whined.
Nekomata smirks as she leans into Billy. "Want me to help~?"
Billy's body reacted as he jumped off the bench, getting into a defensive body stance glaring at the cat girl. "Back off! You helped enough!"
"Hey don't be like that. I just-"
"Nekomata." Anby broke the scene with her firm tone. She glares at the cat girl. "I'm sorry, but will you please stop bullying Billy."
Nekomata only glared at her before facing the other way. However Billy only looks back at Anby with concern. "Um…Anby?"
"I'm sorry. I'm just on edge, that's all."
"You're still worried about Nicole, huh?"
"...I haven't received any text from her. It seems she is still upset about what happened yesterday."
Billy ruffled his own hair. "I mean, I've seen Nicole upset before, usually because either a commission didn't go so well or it's because of some debt collectors…but this."
Anby released a soft sigh. "Perhaps…I should have never said something."
Billy looks at the young woman with a hint of concern.
"If I had never brought up the concern…then perhaps things would be different."
"It is your fault."
Both of them looked towards Nekomata, whose face was still facing the other way. Despite not seeing her face, her tone tells that she was mad.
"You and your stupid concern. Ever heard of keeping your mouth shut when no one doesn't want to hear a possible outcome."
"H-Hey, Nekomata…" Billy said.
"If you hadn't said anything, maybe Nicole wouldn't be so upset. Maybe things would've just remained the same. Nicole coming up with something to make money for the Cunning Hare, Billy talking about his guns, you talking about movies and me just enjoying some time with the family I found." Her voice almost broke at the last bit.
"Nekomata…" Anby said.
"But you…you had to go and say something. You had to go and make Nicole feel bad about how she does business with the proxies. You made her feel terrible…"
Anby furrowed her brow. "Are you suggesting that I should've never said anything? And just let it run its course."
"I'm saying you should've kept your mouth shut and things would've been same." Nekomata said, her voice sounding more strained and drained.
"And just let it run its course. The end result could be the same." Anby countered.
"You don't know that."
"Yes I do."
"Yeah? Did you get that from a movie?"
"No. But it something that can and will possibly happ-"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Nekomata snaps her head at the white-haired young woman. Tears dripped from her eyes. "You don't know…y-you don't know if it will happen! T-The managers…t-they won't…they will never…"
"Nekomata." She spoke. "With the way Nicole does business with the two. Don't you think they would be done with us by now? They're sticking around because they tolerate us. However, if Nicole can't change the way she acts…then there could be a chance that they will leave us for a better faction. In terms of service and overall performance. They will cut ties with the Cunning Hare and Nicole will have no one to blame but herself."
*Scratch!*
Anby, without flinching, was scratched by Nekomata who by this point was crying. The white-haired young woman had a nasty scratch on her face, but did not flinch as she only glared at the cat girl.
"H-Hey! Nekomata!" Billy said with a panic tone.
"STAY OUT OF THIS BILLY!"
"But that was too far!"
"Too far!? If anything she deserves it!" Nekomata said as she looked back at Anby. "And you! Who the hell do you think you are!? You think…you think you're so special? You think you can just go out of your way and put down Nicole like that! Fine, I'll admit, sometimes she's a bit of a character…b-but…she's not a terrible person! She's always looking out for us! Making sure we get paid well! Try to have food on the table for us! Making sure we have a roof over our heads!"
By that point, Nekomata felt tears dripping against her cheeks.
"But you…you had to go and make her feel terrible." She gritted her teeth.
"Are you implying that you don't care about the proxies, feeling?"
"I'M NOT! I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE PROXIES! BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY FAMILY EVEN MORE!"
Complete silence between the three. Anby glare softened somewhat at the cat girl who fell to her knees, her head hanging in defeat. Tears broke from her eyelid as they dropped against her bare skin and onto her knees. Biting down on her lips, she trembled hard, trying her best not to break down into tears.
All Billy could do was watch in silence between the two. He made several slight hesitations, wanting to comfort Nekomata or at least calm the two down…but he felt that he needed to see this through if things were to get ugly.
Anby sighs to herself before looking at Nekomata. "Nekomata…you have it all wrong."
"H-How so…" She said through her tears.
"I don't want to lose the proxies nor do I want to lose you guys either."
Nekomata slightly lifted her head up as she looked at the white-haired young woman who wore a soft expression. Her lips now forming into a sympathetic frown. "You, Billy, Nicole and the proxies…are important to me. I see the Cunning Hare as a family. Whenever we're on a mission, things tend to get tense…but with the proxies by our side…everyone seems to be at ease. I don't see them as extended business partners…but I see them as trustworthy allies. No…not just allies…but precious friends to the Cunning Hare."
Nekomata sniffled a little. She flinched a little when Anby reached out towards her, but relaxed when she felt a soft touch on her cheeks.
"Even if the proxies were to abandon us for a different faction…as long as the Cunning Hare are still together…then I believe we will be okay."
Nekomata blinks at her partner before her expression shifts into a frown. She rested her hands on Anby's hands, holding her hand closer to her cheeks. "Anby…I'm sorry. For accusing you…and scratching you."
"Don't be. Perhaps I should share the blame as well. For bringing it up in the first place. And…for almost breaking up, the Cunning Hare."
"And I'm sorry too."
Both girls looked towards Billy who had both his fists on his hips and his chest out.
"For what?" Both Anby and Nekomata said at the same time.
"...what?"
"You said you're sorry as well. But you didn't do anything for us to be upset about. So what is it?" Anby asked.
"Um…well…nothing?" Billy said with a questionable look.
"Whaaat? You're telling us that you didn't do anything and yet you still want to apologize." Nekomata said with a blank look.
Billy stomps his foot. "Yeah well! Sorry for me being so useless then!"
Both Anby and Nekomata registered this. The cyborg looks down to the ground with a slight hint of defeat. "I mean…if only I wasn't so useless to the Cunning Hare…maybe the proxies would stay with us. If I were a better cyborg, then maybe…"
"You're not useless." Anby stops him there.
"H-Huh?"
"There are times when you're a bit of a character. But I never found you useless…and neither does Nicole find you useless either."
Billy's eyes widened. "Y-You think so…"
"I believe so…"
"Y-Yeah…you're not useless Billy." Nekomata said as she looked the other way with a blush. "I think…you can be cool at times too. And besides, if it wasn't for you, the proxies or the Victoria Housekeeping…we would've been dead…so…you're not useless. You're cool."
"AWWW! YOU GUYS!"
Out of nowhere, Billy swung his arm around both of them and hugged them. Anby was taken by the sudden reaction but offered a smile either way as she pats him on the back. Meanwhile Nekomata was trying to wiggle out of his embrace.
"H-HEY! DON'T HUG US OUT OF NOWHERE! COME ON, LET ME GO! PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT US!"
"I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!" Billy cried.
"O-OKAY! I LOVE YOU TOO! NOW GET OFF!"
Billy didn't bother as he just remained there for a good minute or so.
Meanwhile, Anby looks back at her phone. Still no text back. She was starting to become more worried about Nicole's mental state by this point. There had to be something they could do to cheer her up. Anything…
"Billy…Nekomata?"
"What's up?" Billy said, still hugging them.
"...there maybe a way to help Nicole…but you have to trust me."
"Sure!" Billy said as he finally let them go. Nekomata hugging herself as she glares at Billy. "What did you get?"
"...we need to make a visit to the proxies."
Both Billy and Nekomata blinked at the suggestion. Taking in their confused look, she simply looks at them. "I can't guarantee if it will work…but please trust me on this."
Both the members glance at each other before looking at Anby with a nod.
-Random Play-
1:10pm
The video store was not very busy at the moment. It was only Belle, Wise and Eous maintaining the store at the moment. With the bangboo standing by the counter just minding its own business. Wise was busy stocking the movies in their respective areas. However, he did share some concerned glances to Belle who was looking at the phone while holding a movie in her other hand.
Wise sighs to himself as he runs his hand through his hair. "Belle?"
"..."
He didn't receive any response from her. But her focus was entirely on the phone.
"Belle? Belle, hello?"
"..."
Still nothing. This time he walked over to her and tapped on her shoulders. She flinched a little, snapping her head towards her brother. Wise blinked twice at his sister.
"O-Oh. It's just you, Wise." She said.
"'It's just me'? What are you talking about? It's only you, me, Eous and other bangboo as well." Wise said with a raised brow.
"I-I know that but…"
Wise eyes caught the screen on her phone. Seeing that Belle was looking if she had received any messages from Nicole. "I see, so you're still worried?"
"Well, how can I not be worried!? Wise, something is wrong." Belle said with a serious tone.
"I know, I know. I haven't heard a single reply from her after we checked up on her…" Wise crossed his arms across his chest with a pondering thought. "Then she just…stopped."
Belle's expression turned worrisome. "You don't think she's been kidnapped, right?"
"By who?"
The blunette snaps her finger. "Debt collectors!"
Wise rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case…but I feel it's got nothing to do with that. If it was Debt Collectors you think she would've picked a spot to hide out at, right? You know, possibly 'crashing out' at our place till it blows over."
Belle used her fingers to hold her chin. "That is true…maybe…she has been pulled by her landlord and needs to pay the bill?"
"That could be another possibility. But wouldn't she be back by now? It's been at least an hour since we last checked in with her." Wise countered.
Belle groaned under her breath as she went back to thinking. "Maybe…she's at gunpoint by some loan sharks!"
"...isn't that about the same thing as the debt collector...also why are we just sticking with just the money situation?" Wise asked his sister.
Belle just gave him the look as she crossed her arms.
"Don't give me that look. Nicole can't be THAT terrible with her money situation."
"It's NICOLE."
"...okay fine, you're right. But that still doesn't make this situation any less…concerning."
"Ugh." Belle groans as she ruffles her hair. "Why are we even worrying about her anyways. I mean, this is Nicole we're talking about here. I'm sure she'll bounce back around with her usual self, come dragging us into a commission, try to haggle us with the payment and well…you get the picture."
Wise chuckles a bit at his sister's description of how the usual event would go. "You've been hanging out with Nicole way too much. Sure she's a bit of a character, but she's not a terrible person."
"...no. She's not." Belle sighs to herself. "If she hadn't gone with Billy's plan on selling us out just to save her own skin, we wouldn't be here."
"Oh? You still remember?"
"Well yeah, how could I forget." Belle said as she looked at her brother. "She had the most obvious choice of bailing on us…but she didn't. I'm still shocked from that moment."
"Same here…like I said, Nicole isn't that bad of a person, she just has her mind on making profit."
Belle hums to herself before looking at her phone again. She responds with a frown as she looks at the screen, nothing from Nicole, yet again. She seemed fine (at least from their perspective) and she was responding to them as well. But after the last message, they haven't heard from her since.
"Could she…possibly be avoiding us…" Belle thought to herself.
*Ding. Ding.*
They heard the door open, turning around, they spotted some familiar faces. Standing by the door, Anby (with a scratch on her face, Nekomata (who waved at them) and Billy (whose face looked like he went through hell).
"Oh. Hey gu-" Wise stopped when he noticed Billy's face. There were a total of 9 scratches on his face. "Um…is Billy okay?"
Anby didn't bother looking at Billy as she already knows. "We got done with a commission."
"Oh…soo…did he get into a fight with a cat?"
From the sideline, Nekomata was snickering only for Billy to tremble in anger. While he didn't have a mouth, his eyes twitching with his brows arching in anger and as if he was about to cry.
"Billy volunteered to climb the tree and get the cat but…"
"He ended up getting scratched by the cat." Nekomata said between her giggles.
Wise and Belle look at each other with sympathetic smiles. "Oooh…so that's how he got those scratch marks."
Billy shook his head violently as he stomped his foot. "No! Actually, I got into a fight with two cats!"
"Two?" Belle asked.
"Yeah! The first cat from the commission scratched me both here! And here!" He pointed to his right and forehead! "But as for this one…another CAT! Decided to scratch me here!" He said as he made a side glance at Nekomata.
Belle could take a guess of who the second cat was. She looked straight at Nekomata. "Really?"
"Whaat~? It's not my fault that he was complaining about his face being uneven. In his words, he was complaining, 'waaah the cat only scratched me here and there. It's so uneven,'. So I helped him out."
Billy hands curled into a fist as he glares at Nekomata. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE AND YOU KNOW IT!"
"Guys." Anby spoke up as she looked over her shoulders at them. "Focus. We're here on a very important task."
Billy blinks before his expression changes from anger to somber. "Oh…right…"
Wise took note of Anby's face. "And what about you? Did you got scratched by the cat as well?"
"No. This one was from Nekomata." Anby bluntly said.
Both the proxies blinked at this. Looking between the embarrassed and regretful Nekomata who was trying to hide her face from the sibling and Anby who kept her gaze.
"What happened between you two?" Belle asked.
"Nothing. Just got into a little fight. But that's all past us now. We're here for you guys."
The two siblings notice the group change in expressions. Looking at Nekomata who's lips were trembling as she pushed her fingers together with her ears lower down. And then there was Anby who held her expression.
Wise registered the change in atmosphere. "Is…something wrong?"
"Yeah and…wait. Where's Nicole?" Belle asked.
That question apparently got everyone's attention. Anby eyes glances the other way with a slight hint of regret. Billy's eyes flatten a little with a slight sigh from him. Nekomata bit her lips as she shook her head trying to not think about something.
This caught the siblings' attention. Wise furrowed his brow. "Hold on, what happened?"
"Wait. Don't tell me something happened to her?" Belle said as she clasped her hands against her chest.
"Please calm down. Nicole is fine…for the moment at least." Anby added.
Only for her to be smacked upside the head by Nekomata. "H-Hey! Don't go and jinx it!"
"Sorry. But I'm still worried."
Wise put two and two together, now realizing the issue. "Hold on, does this have to deal with the weird messages she's been sending us or something?"
The group looked at the two managers.
"Hold on, you mean Nicole has been sending you messages?" Billy asked.
"Well…it's more like WE were the one sending her messages than the other way around. We just sent her one a while back today. But then…she just stopped? We've been sending her messages to see how she was doing but we didn't get any reply back."
Anby hums to herself about this. "Her mental state is not stable yet."
"H-Hey," Nekomata taps on Anby shoulders. "I know we left Amillion in charge of Nicole but…do you think Amillion can handle it?"
Wise and Belle now got more concerned.
"Guys? What's going on? Did something happen to Nicole?" Wise asked.
Anby furrowed her brow, pondering before looking at the two. "Can we take this conversation somewhere else…on the roof maybe?"
The sibling shared mutual glances with a nod before looking back at Anby. "Sure."
Belle looks towards their Bangboo. "18. Can you look after the counter?"
"Ehnne!" (Yes!)
"Alright, please follow us." Wise said as he walked towards the stairs followed by Belle.
Billy looks forward with a mix of fear and nervousness. "Ugh, I'm not gonna like this next part."
"You think you don't like it. I hate it." Nekomata said as she jabs Billy's side.
"I know the same feeling," Anby whispered, gaining the two attention. "But we can't turn back now. This is not just for Cunning Hare's sake…but for Nicole's sake as well."
Both Billy and Nekomata shared a glance before nodding. Following close behind Anby up the stairs towards the rooftop where they will have their private discussion.
-Lumina Square-
1:20pm
Amongst the large but very packed plaza of Lumina square, Nicole and Amillion came up the steps from the subway station. Amillion riding on Nicole's shoulders so that he doesn't end up getting lost.
Nicole stretches with a groan. "Ugh, talk about a full house. Seriously, paying Dennies just to ride a pack train. How do people even stand that?"
"Ehnne-nuu." (Too many people.) Amillion said with a shake of his body.
"Oh well, at least we made it to the square. Let's go ahead and enjoy the sights while we're here." She said as she tapped on Amillion's head.
Getting a happy response from Bangboo, she smiled as she walked down the sidewalk. Nicole continued, passing by the ongoing people who were walking down the sidewalk. Taking a deep breath, her thoughts went back to yesterday. How she was eavesdropping on Lycaon and the two managers' conversation. From their casual greetings to forming a partnership…it didn't sit well with her.
"Why am I being so hung up on this…I mean…shouldn't I be glad that they're making new friends…and yet."
She stops at the intersection waiting for the crossing light to change. As she still ponders in her thoughts, Amillion took his time to take a look at the city like a curious child. The tall building that reached the sky and the blimp flying overhead.
"I just feel…I feel jealous…that they get along so well with the Victoria Housekeeping." Nicole thought to herself. "But at the sametime…I feel that…if Phaethon were to work with the Victoria Housekeeping…it would be good for them…but what if they forget about us?"
Amillion taps on Nicole's head, pointing ahead as the crossing light changed. Nicole shook her head as she continued walking. She turns down a sidewalk where there are less people. Her thoughts are still rummaging through her head.
"It feels like we're taking advantage of their good nature."
Anby's words echoed through her thoughts. Biting her lips to avoid making a scene in public. However, those words stung her heart.
"I…I won't deny it…sometimes I just get away with stuff by taking advantage of them…but it's….it's nothing like that. I see them more than just business partners…they're more than that…to me…to me the proxies…Belle and Wise…they're like…"
Nicole took a shaky breath before answering. "They're like a family to me."
As she was minding to herself, she suddenly felt a pair of strong hands grabbing her arms and dragging her into a dark alley. She swore she could hear Amillion crying for help before it was shoved towards the ground. Both her hands were locked by a pair of strong hands, dragging her into an alley before her back was slammed against the wall. Hissing in pain, she looks up to see three tall men glaring at her, forming a wall so that she doesn't escape.
The man in front had short black hair, he was wearing a white-button shirt that was open, revealing his black t-shirt and wore a pair of jeans. The second man to his left had light brown hair, wearing a blue t-shirt and some black pants. His most distinguishable feature would be the tattoo on his arms. Then there were the other men to the right. Had long blonde hair, wearing about the same clothing as the man in front, but with the color red and his button shirt was closed. Wearing a pair of blue jeans.
As for the last one who was currently shutting up Amillion was wearing white tank-shirt, wearing a pair of jean shorts.
Nicole's breath shuttered a little with a glare. "Just my luck…"
The man in front spoke. "Heh, it wasn't easy finding you. Luckily we followed you all the way here. And you didn't even notice? Ha! We were well hidden."
Nicole caught her breaths in her throat. "Y-You…you followed me here…when did you…"
"The moment you entered the train when you were at the Metro Station. We recognized you all the way from where we were standing and took the opportunity." Said the black-haired man.
"Heheheh, hell. It wasn't even hard getting you while you were here as well. What's wrong, not having a lucky day." The blonde hair man jokes.
Nicole bit her lips. Shaking her head, she tries to put on a brave face. But deep down, she was really not in the mood. But tries not to show it. "Look, if you're here to collect your debt, can it wait?"
*SLAM!*
The black haired debt collector slams his hand against the wall she was pinned against. "Wait? Wait!? We've waited long enough!"
The two men took a step forward with equal glares.
"Look here you! You owe us a lot of money! And we're not gonna wait any longer for you to cough it up! Either pay us now or things will get ugly!" He threatened.
Nicole seethed through her teeth. "I told you I will pay you! But right now is not the time!"
The black-haired debt collector immediately brandishes a knife to Nicole's neck, forcing her to arch her head up to avoid being cut. "You just ain't getting it aren't you. We're here to collect some debt from you. And yet you're telling us that you don't have the time to be talking with us! You owe us money! Now cough it up!"
"Forget it," The blonde hair man said with an annoyed groan. "I bet she doesn't have the money as usual."
There was something the way he said that sentence stung her heart.
"Geez, for real," The tank top shirt guy said. "Honestly, the Cunning Hare is a joke. You say you're in the business but how come you're always out of money, huh? You are always trying to borrow money from us. Hell, that's the main reason why you're in debt. Your team must be really in a bad spot? Hell, I'm surprised they're not out on the streets yet."
Nicole gritted her teeth. "Shut up…"
"Cheap boss, doesn't pay her teammates, charges commission at a ridiculous high price." Mocked the black haired man. "The Cunning Hare must be in financial debt more so than I thought. Not like that matters. I've heard your group is nothing but a band of clowns. Ha! They have to the biggest joke out of New Eri-"
*THWACK!*
The man didn't get the chance to finish as he was punched right in the face by Nicole's fist. Blood flew from his nose with a left bruise mark in the middle of his nose. He fell right on his butt, contacting the hard ground beneath him.
The two debt collectors were stunned for a moment as they just stared at the young woman with wide eyes. Nicole, with her fist extended out. Breathing heavily through her teeth.
"You…you can make fun of me all you want…I don't care…but…" She snaps her head up and glares right at them. Tears dripped from her eyes. "BUT DON'T YOU DARE MAKE FUN OF MY FRIENDS!"
Complete silence between the debt collectors and Nicole. All that could be heard was the breathing from Nicole, still glaring daggers at them.
"Ahem."
A deep voice clearing his throat broke the silence. They turn to see a familiar wolf standing behind them. Carrying at least two bags that hung on his wrist. He glares at the four debt collectors despite his calm body language.
"Lycaon…" Nicole thought to herself.
"Forgive me for eavesdropping on you all. But I believe if Miss Nicole says that she will pay you back, then she will pay back when she has the money. So if you gentlemen would be so kind as to leave Miss Nicole alone." Lycaon said in the calmest tone that he can muster.
The black-haired man got up from the ground as he held his nose with a glare. "Hmph. Obviously you don't know Nicole. She says she'll pay us back, but whenever it's the day to pay her fine, what happens? She doesn't have money on her! She's not trustworthy at all!"
Nicole bit her lips. His words stung her heart.
"I will not repeat myself," Lycaon said as his tone changed from calm to somewhat annoyance. "If Miss Nicole says she will pay you, she will pay you. Now then…"
Lycaon turned his gaze to the guy who was standing on top of Amillion.
"You, the one with the foot on top of the Bangboo. Would you please remove your foot off of the Bangboo."
"Ehhne…" (Help.)
The tank top man just scoffed. "Or else what, wolfy?"
*THWACK!* *THUD!*
The man, in a split second, was on top of Amillion before he was pushed off of him and his back was sent flying towards the wall. The three debt collectors look from their colleague to the wolf thiren whose leg was extended and raised. Smokes could be seen emitting from his metal shoes before he retreats his foot back to his body.
Lycaon uses both his hands to pick up Amillion, holding him to his waist as he looks at the three men who are now worrying. "Now then, I will give you gentlemen 10 seconds to leave now while you can."
The black haired man trembled a little before he shook his head. He picks up his knife as he points it at Lycaon. "You bastard! Get him!"
On cue, the three men all charged at Lycaon. The wolf thiren gives a sigh before he uses his hand and tosses Amillion in the air. The Bangboo flailed in the air, waddling his arms and legs around as he was tossed over the three charging men and was catched by Nicole as she hugged him towards her.
Lycaon snaps his attention to the black haired man who was going for a stab towards Lycaon. But the wolf thiren sweeps his legs around and kicks the knife out of the man's hand. The knife swirled in the air leaving the man stunned. Before the debt collector could respond. Lycaon thrust his knee to his cheeks, sending him flying towards the wall.
The two other debt collectors try to attack him from different sides. Lycaon swings his bag around his wrist before he swings it at the two debt collectors. Hitting them across the face. Sending them flying in different directions. Their faces hitting against the walls.
The black haired man grabbed his hand to the side before shaking it. He looks up at the wolf thiren who looks at the man. The man gritted his teeth before picking up the knife that landed near him. Standing up, he got in a battle stance.
Lycaon simply releases an annoyed huff from his nose before he raises his hand, making a little 'come on' gesture.
The debt collector charges at him with his knife ready to stab him. Going for a jab, just as Lycaon shifted his weight to the left, dodging the blade. The man man goes for another jab, but the wolf thiren keeps on dodging. After the third jab, Lycaon sweeps his leg and trips the man off balance before grabbing the back of his shirt. He then throws the man at his partner who was just about to jump in the fight. Only for his face to collide with the other man's face. Both fell unconscious before hitting the ground.
The two other debt collector's got up before running towards Lycaon. The man in tank top rushes from behind, trying to throw his fist at the back of Lycaon's head. However, the wolf thiren reacted fast as he shifted his head to the left. As his fist was extended enough, Lycaon grabs his wrist and easily throws him over his shoulder. The man in tank top backs smacks against the ground as Lycaon thrust his foot on his stomach, earning a groan from the man.
His partner comes rushing in and throws a punch to Lycaon's side, but is easily blocked by the wolf. Grabbing his fist, he twirls the man around before releasing him and sending him flying at the other two debt collectors who barely rise from the ground before they fall to the ground with the man's weight on them.
Lycaon takes his foot off the 4th debt collector's stomach, only gently shoving his foot right under his back. He scoops him up, before lifting him in the air before he tosses him like a ragdoll and then kicks him to the other men throwing more weight on them.
Lycaon simply huffs out some air before dusting himself off, he walks up to the four debt collectors who were piled on each other, groaning in pain. He gives them a chilly glare as he towers over them.
"Now then, will you kindly give Miss Nicole more time before she is able to pay you all back. Or…" Lycaon cracks his knuckles that send chills down the debt collectors spine. "Do you wish to tempt fate?"
The 1st debt collector quickly got the three men off of him as he got on his knees and looked up at the wolf. "Nonononononono! Please! No more! W-We get the message! Man fuck it! I didn't calculate for this to happen!"
"Y-Yeah! Let's get out of here now!" The second debt collector said.
The first debt collector looks at the stunned Nicole. "W-We'll give you more time! B-But please pay us back! GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
On that note the man took off running with his three lackeys behind him, giving chase. Nicole could have sworn one of them were in tears from the fight.
Complete silence between the three. Nicole and Amillion were left stunned for a moment, just witnessing something incredible. Then there was Lycaon who let out a breath of relief. "They could've just simply walked away. Was fighting really the option they had to choose?"
The wolf butler could only shake his head before turning around and walking up to the stunned pink-haired woman who was holding her Bangboo.
"Are you two alright?"
Nicole and Amillion could only look at the wolf in stun silence. Unsure of what to say to him after witnessing first hand what his fighting was like. And they got a front row seat.
"Wow…" Was the only thing Nicole said.
Lycaon tilts his head. "Miss Nicole?"
"That…that was incredible!" She said as she leaned towards him with stars in her eyes. "I mean, I've seen fights that were pretty amazing, but THAT! Holy crap, that was…that was intense! And just so incredible!"
"Ehhnee-naa!" (Incredible!) Amillion said.
Lycaon blinked twice, he did feel his cheeks heating up a little and also noticed the wag of his tail. He shook his head, trying to remain calm. "Ahem, it was nothing. I simply handled the matter. What you saw was…well just me taking care of annoyance."
"Hey come on, don't sell yourself short. What you did back there…man that really got my heart pounding." Nicole said.
Lycaon coughed into his fist. "Please. Your praises are a little…over exaggerated. I saw you were in trouble, so I found it the best approach to help you. Nothing special."
Nicole noticed the slight wag of his tail from the praise, she couldn't help but giggle behind her hand. "He says it's nothing special. But his tail is really betraying him."
"Well, anyways…thanks for helping me out there…" Nicole said with a smile.
"It was nothing. I was just helping out a friend that is all," Lycaon said. "By the way, it's rather a surprise to see you here. Why are you here if I may ask?"
Nicole blinks with a sudden stun. Her eyes shifted to the side, her embrace tightened on her Bangboo. "Um…right…you see…I've been having some thoughts as of late and…I really needed to get some fresh air."
Lycaon blinks as he listens to her.
Nicole bit her lip, shaking her head before taking a deep breath. "You know…no more hiding it. It's obvious you know something is up with me, huh?"
"My apologies Miss Nicole. But I had an instinct to know that something was wrong the moment we met yesterday." Lycaon said.
Nicole blinks as she looks up at the wolf. "S-So you did know, right? Since then?"
"I had an instinct, but I wasn't sure if it was just me imagining things or not."
Nicole lets out a tired sigh. Thinking to herself before looking back at Lycaon. "I…can you hear me out…I've been…going through some troubles as of late."
"Hmm? Is the Cunning Hare going through some problems?"
"N-No, no. The Cunning Hare are fine…it's not with Anby or the others. It's…Belle and Wise."
Lycaon raised a brow. "You mean Mistress Belle and Master Wise? Is there a problem?"
"Well…I hope not…it's very complicated."
Lycaon took notice of Nicole's rather shy body language and the way she was holding Amillion against her body. The wolf took a moment of thought before speaking. "Miss Nicole?"
"Y-Yes."
"...if it's something truly troubling you…then I am available to hear you out."
"R-Really? I mean, if you're busy I don't want to take too much of your time. I mean, you don't want to waste your time on someone like me." Nicole said.
"It is alright. If this issue you are being troubled by, concerning your relationship with the proxies, then please, allow me to hear you out. After all, considering we both are linked to the proxies in one way or another, I feel it is necessary for both of our factions to maintain a relationship. So if there is any trouble you are facing, then allow me to hear your trouble."
Nicole blinks at the wolf. "Fluffy Housekeeper…he's worried about me…and yet here I am jealous of his chemistry with Phaeton…I'm such a fool."
"Miss Nicole?"
Nicole shook her head. "I'm fine. But…if you really think you have the time…then…thank you."
Lycaon offered a soft smile. "Excellent. However, if you wouldn't mind…can you help me with something?"
"O-Oh! Sure. I-I mean, as repayment for helping me, I can offer you some help in any way I can offer. B-But if it's something that has to do with money wise. M-Maybe I can help, but let me check how much I have-"
"No, no. Your money shouldn't be necessary. This is…a bit embarrassing to say. The bag that I used to deal with the debt collectors…well," A blush crept on his cheeks. "The items in the bag that I brought to make dinner with for the Victoria Housekeeper…they…got ruined from the fight."
…
Complete silence between the two. Lycaon blushed as his ears drooped down to the side along with his tail that dropped to the floor. His eyes glanced to the left, not looking at Nicole and Amillion expressions.
Nicole stifled a laugh, she couldn't help but to smile at the wolf's small mistake. "Hehe…s-sorry. Sorry. I shouldn't be laughing. But it was my fault that you had your ingredients destroyed from the fight…so yeah. I can help you out."
Lycaon ears picked back up with a slight wag of his tail. He offered a smile. "I am in your debt, Miss Nicole."
-Random Play- [Rooftop]
1:35pm
It's only been a few minutes as the group were talking on top of the rooftop. Anby was in front of the two managers who both had almost similar reactions as she told them the situation. Wise had his arms crossed as he pondered deep in his thoughts. Meanwhile, Belle was sitting on the ground with her back against the edge wall.
On the side, Billy and Nekomata were listening to the story. As Anby recapped everything that had been going on with Nicole and her anxiety of the proxies not working with them anymore if they were teamed up with the Victoria Housekeeping faction instead.
"I see…so that's what's been going on…" Wise said with a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I thought that it would have to deal with the money situation or something…but this is a complete surprise to me…" Belle said.
Wise looks back at Anby. "Are you sure that's everything?"
"Yes. Everything I shared with you is true. Normally, I wouldn't share these troubles with anyone without Nicole's consent…but this time I feel it is necessary."
"Right…" Wise said with a bit of somber.
Belle couldn't help but to think back with Nicole's behavior for a short while. "Is us working with another faction affecting her so much…I mean, if it was something that has to deal with money I imagine she wouldn't be too affected. So why is she being so hung up on this?"
"Now that I have told you her worries…may I ask you two a question?" Anby said. "Between the Victoria Housekeeping and the Cunning Hares, who is better in terms of service?"
This caught both the siblings by surprise.
"WHOA! WHOA! WHOA! HOLD IT! HOLD IT!" Billy came between the two as he glared at Anby. "Anby! What the hell!? You can't go and ask sensitive questions like that!"
"Billy's right!" Nekomata said as she glared at Anby. "What the hell are you thinking, Anby!?"
"It is necessary." Anby said.
"H-How is that necessary!?" Belle said.
Anby looks back at the young woman. "Because if there is anything wrong with the Cunning Hare, then perhaps I can convince Nicole to fix it. But that's me only having wishful thoughts. And besides, this isn't only for the Cunning Hare sake…this is in case if it has something to do with not keeping the proxies safe, I can use this to grow stronger so that no one will worry."
The group grew silent. Letting Anby's words sink in. None of them denied it nor tried to reason with her. Despite it still being a sensitive topic she gave her reasons.
"Now then, proxies," Anby looks back at the two. "Between the Victoria Housekeeping and the Cunning Hare, whose service is better. And please be honest."
Billy and Nekomata decide to leave her to it as they sit off to the side. But Nekomata was not liking where this was going as she shoves herself towards Billy for possible comfort.
Belle and Wise gave it a thought or so to think up an answer before looking at each other. Wise gave a serious nod before Belle sigh to herself.
"Anby…between the Victoria Housekeeping and the Cunning Hare…V-Victoria Housekeeping has better service." She said regretfully.
Anby closed her eyes. "I see."
This time it was Wise's turn to speak. "Anby…we're sorry. But when it comes to offering service, the Victoria Housekeeping, they are pretty professional…to an extent at least. But these guys are on a different level when it comes to dealing with Hollow. They're some of the best agents we ran into."
"B-But we're just as-" Billy rose to his feet.
"Billy." Anby stops him with a sympathetic stare. "Please, let me handle this."
The cyborg regretfully sat back down with a somber expression as Nekomata patted his back.
Anby looks back at the sibling. "So when it comes to professionalism, they offer better service."
Belle raised her hand in defense. "I-I mean…it's not like you guys are bad yourself. You guys are pretty good too."
"But not as good as the Victoria Housekeeping." Anby countered.
Belle bit her lip as she regretfully looked the other way. "Y-You're making this really hard…"
"It's fine. I'm the one who told you to be honest."
Wise sigh to himself. "Right…the Victoria Housekeeping…well, with them, I don't have to worry about me or either my sister's safety. They're really strong and reliable too. Plus, when it comes to paying us…well, you already know that."
"Hmm." Anby acknowledged. "And we don't offer that type of service to you two?"
"No, Anby. You got it wrong." Belle said. "The Cunning Hare aren't terrible. You guys also provide good service to us as well…just…not excellent service."
"Doooh. It's worse than I thought." Billy whimpered in the back.
"Sometimes the commission doesn't go well. Most often it would usually go south or just end up very bad on both ends. Not only that, sometimes Nicole would try to haggle with the money, no matter what the situation." Wise said.
Anby hums to herself as she takes in the criticism.
"So…you would rather work with Victoria Housekeeping…and you would stop working with the Cunning Hare then? If that's what you really want, then I-"
"Hold on." Wise raised his hand to stop her. "Sure, Victoria Housekeeping is better…but that doesn't mean we're gonna abandon you guys."
…
Complete silence. Billy head picks up as he looks at the two managers with a baffled expression. Nekomata held a surprised expression with her eyes widened. Anby showed a rare expression as her eyes widened with her brow angled, giving them a questionable look.
"Wise is right. We're not gonna abandon you for some other faction just because they're better. That would make us terrible people." Belle said with a determined expression.
"I…I don't understand…" Anby asked.
"Sure, they're better. But that shouldn't mean we're gonna cut ties with you guys either."
"...I…I'm sorry. But I still fail to understand." Anby said with a conflicted expression. "You praise the Victoria Housekeeping for excellent service that we don't offer enough of. Have such a good affinity between you and them. And yet here you are wanting to still work alongside us despite the criticism. Please elaborate."
"And we don't have good chemistry with you two?" Wise questions. "We may have had our ups and downs. And the mountain of debt, but we wouldn't consider cutting ties with you guys. We're all friends here Anby."
Belle smiled. "Wise is right, you guys are like family to us."
Anby allowed a small gasp escaping her lips.
Belle snaps her finger. "Oh! I got it. Wait here, I'll be back!" Belle said as she rushed back inside the building.
It only took a few seconds before she came back out with something in her hand. Belle rushed back over to the group, gesturing to Billy and Nekomata to come over as well to which they (bafflingly) complied. Looking at what she was holding, they immediately noticed the photo.
"Hey…that's the photo we took together after the Vision scandal." Nekomata said.
"Oh yeah, I remember." Billy said.
Anby blinks as she looks at the photo before looking at the proxies. "You…you kept it?"
"What's with the question? Of course we kept it. To show our friendship." Belle said.
"..." Anby was beyond confused.
Wise sigh to himself. "Anby, sure, there may be times when we'll work with a different faction, but just because we'll be working with another faction, doesn't mean we'll forget about the Cunning Hare."
"That's right. No matter what, we'll always be together." Belle said with a smile.
Anby eyes grew wide. Nekomata felt tears building up behind her eyelids, feeling her lips trembling. But formed into a smile.
"OH YOU GUYS!"
Out of nowhere, Billy grabs both Belle and Wise and starts to hug them. Both the managers couldn't help but chuckle at Billy's reaction.
"Yeah, yeah, we love you too, Billy." Belle said with a smile despite the bone crushing hug she was receiving.
"I LOVE YOU GUYS! YOU'RE THE BEST PEOPLE WE'VE MET!" Billy cried.
Nekomata only rolled her eyes. "Geez, he's so emotional."
"True…but he is only happy that the proxies are still our friends." Anby showed a soft smile. "And I'm glad we can continue our partnership with them."
"But they'll still be working with other factions though…"
"It doesn't matter." Anby said as she shared her smile towards Nekomata. "We don't have the right to tell them who they should be working with. Besides, they said so before…they will not stop being friends with us."
"Hmm….I guess…but will this be enough to ease Nicole?" Nekomata brought up.
Anby thought to herself. "That's right…the reason why I decided on this plan was to ease Nicole's worries…hopefully this will help."
*Beep. Beep. Beep.*
Wise took notice of his phone ringing. "H-Hey, Billy. Do you mind?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry."
Billy let go of the two as Wise reached for his phone. He answered the call.
"Hello?"
[Hello? Is this Master Wise?] Questioned a mature female voice.
"Rina?" Wise answered, gaining a surprise expression Belle.
[Oh perfect. I have a question for you, are you familiar with Miss Nicole of the Cunning Hare?]
Wise raised a brow. "Nicole?"
This got the Cunning Hare member's attention. Knowing about Nicole's condition, this piqued their interest.
"Nicole? Isn't she supposed to be back at home?" Billy asked.
Wise furrowed his brow. "Yeah, I know her. In fact her friends are with us at the moment."
[They are. Perfect. That makes things easier.] Rina said with a cheerful tone.
Anby became alarmed. "What happened?"
Wise shrugged as he turned his attention to the phone. "Rina? Did something happen to Nicole?"
[Oh no, dear. Nothing happened. In fact, Sir Lycaon is with Nicole at this very moment.]
"Lycaon is with her?" Wise asked.
"The wolf butler?" Billy asked.
[I promise to explain things to you guys later, but could you maybe come over to the tower when you can. Oh, and bring the other Cunning Hare members as well. I believe they are also important for this as well.]
Wise furrowed his brow. He believes he knows exactly what the reason for their presence is for. He looks towards Anby as he covers the phone. "They want not only me and Belle. But also you guys as well. Nicole isn't in danger, but I think it has to do with Nicole worrying about us leaving."
Anby hums to herself as she looks back at Nekomata and Billy who nodded. Anby turns back to Wise and Belle. "We're here to help. Nicole is our leader and friend."
Wise then turns to Belle who smiles with a nod. Removing his hand from his phone. "Okay, we'll all be there."
[Most excellent. I believe this will help the poor dear.]
….
And that's a wrap. With things becoming more clearer between Phaethon and the Cunning Hare, now all that's left is to reassure Nicole that everything will be fine? But just what is it that Alexandrina has in mind for both the proxies and the Cunning Hare? Does this have to relate to Nicole's worries? How will this red string between them reach out once more? Next time will be the final chapter of the story…
Sorry for the wait everyone! The second chapter went through a couple of revisions because I wasn't sure how to take this. After some planning I figured out how I wanted to take this story and how I wanted it to end. At first, I was thinking of making this story a little longer, but I felt 3 chapters would be good. Plus this story idea was really meant to be short either way. XD
I was hoping to get this chapter out sooner than later, but I was focusing on writing the next update for "Hitoyoshi and the Prison School", and I was playing some games as well, before I decided to come back to this story. With the new 1.2 update coming soon, I felt this would be a good time to catch up with this story. Now again, not sure if 1.2 will be picking up that little detail with Nicole worries or perhaps the Cunning Hare group worries, but hey. Gives me more reason to go with this story regardless.
So far I've been enjoying writing this short story based off of ZZZ. Writing these characters was not only fun, but also pretty heartwarming. The Cunning Hare I see them as just a bunch of misfits but together they are like a found family. And their chemistry with the proxies shows that they've known each other for a long time. Unlike most dramas where they tend to drag them out, here I wanted it to be simple and the characters sharing their worries and being straightforward with each other. Of course the moment between Anby and Nekomata was a little intense, but was resolved quickly when Anby shared her concerns as well and the reason why she said it in the first place. That's the type of story you don't see nowadays. I know it makes the story longer, but it doesn't have to be like that.
By the way, I bet you guys noticed with the Bangboo speaking, I put their native language and english translation in the parentheses. That's how it is translated in the game and I decided to put it here to make things easier. As for the way Amillion speaks, in the event "Friendship Supervision" it is revealed that's how Amillion speaks. It's implied that Nicole gave Amillion a rather cheap voicebox as the reason why he speaks like that. But Amillion still loves being with them. I found it cute how Bangboo sees them as family and I wanted to show some chemistry between Nicole and Amillion in this story.
Enough of my rambling. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the chapter. Next chapter will be the finale and the end of this story. Leave a review, stay safe and I will see you all in the next and final chapter.
See you later!