Here we are at a brand new one-shot. Just something for a little fun. I got the idea after seeing their interactions while playing the game and then this popped up. So, let's begin. I do not own Zenless Zone Zero. They belong to Mihoyo. Here's chapter 1. Enjoy.
ZZZ: Singing and Spying
Another normal day in New Eridu. At Random Play, Wise is manning the front desk of he and his sister's store, hoping for a good day to make some money. They're electric bill has been more of a challenge now ever since Fairy entered their lives. Belle was in the back, taking care of their stock. Just then, the front door opened up.
"Good morning, how can we – Astra?" Wise stops when he sees the top idol come in, checking the window to make sure she wasn't followed, and the shows a bright smile.
"Hello, Wise. Listen, I finally managed to get some free time away from work and even managed to sneak here without being followed. Quite impressive, if I do say so myself. So, I want to spend the day with you. Come on, let's go!" Asta Yao looks very excited.
"Okay, but what about the store?" Wise asks.
"Oh, I'm sure Belle and Bangboo 18 can handle it. I'll leave them something as a little thank you for letting me borrow you for a day. Now, come on, let's go!" Astra remains undeterred.
Wise sighs, but smiles, "Alright, when you put it like that. How could I say no?"
Knowing she likes pictures, Wise grabs his camera, leaves a note while Astra leaves a signed picture of her from one of her shows and they leave. A few moments later, Belle walks out with a box of movies.
"Hey Wise, I got the movies you needed. Huh? Wise?" Belle turns, only to find the store empty. "Where did her go? Huh, what's this?" Belle puts the box down before finding the note and the picture. Reading it, Belle's hands shake as anger surges. "He left me behind to go on a date with Astra Yao? Wise! I'm gonna make you pay for this!" she picks up the photo. "At least I can add this to my Astra Yao collection."
Sighing, she stashes the photo away for safe keeping. Just after she does, the door opens.
"Good morning, welcome to – huh? Evelyn?" Belle notices the bodyguard walk in.
"Belle, you're coming with me. Now," Evelyn looks very serious right now.
"Huh? But, why?" Belle cocks her head.
"Because as Miss Yao's bodyguard/manager, I need to make sure she is safe at all times. Especially when she's near men and boys," Evelyn gets right in Belle's face.
"Huh? Is this about Wise? Look, I can vouch for my brother. He won't do anything to Astra. I wouldn't allow it anyway," Belle says.
"I don't care. He's a boy, that makes him dangerous. I know they're out on a date right now because I've been following Miss Yao since she left the studio. She may be able to slip past everyone else, but not me. So, you're coming with me so we can spy on them and make sure your brother doesn't try anything stupid," Evelyn says.
"Really? You want us to spy on them on their date? Isn't that kind of tacky?" Belle doesn't like the idea.
Evelyn pulls out two small slips of paper, "Here are two VIP passes for you and your brother for Miss Astra's next show. Help me ad they're yours,"
Not even a second after, Belle is already at the front door with the passes in hand, "What are we waiting for? Let's go before they get too far away. 18, look after the store okay!" Belle says, her tune completely changed.
Evelyn knew that would work. With the deal done, the two women leave the store, while the Bangboo can only scratch its head in confusion.
"Eh-na? (What now?)" it wonders.
Belle and Evelyn track down Wise and Astra to Lumina Square. It seems the first place the two went to is the Buyan Antique store. Wise and Astra Yao head on inside, with Evelyn and Belle coming in behind them.
"Ooh, let's look at these!" Astra waltzes over to some pottery pieces.
"These are from way back when, even before the fall of the old capital. While a lot of these are homemade, and not worth that much, I always liked this store because it works hard to preserve all of this," Wise notes as he inspects the pieces.
"Indeed. These people put their heart and soul into forging their antiques and artwork. Just like with singing. I always give it my all. Whether it's sculpture or a song, art is art. And true art is beautiful," Astra Yao says.
They walk around the store, checking out all of the pieces. They walk past two human-sized statues. A moment later, Evelyn and Belle peek out from behind the statues.
"Well, so far they haven't done anything too bad. It seems like a normal date to me... of course, I'm still going to make Wise pay for ditching me to go out on a date with Astra without inviting me. I want to spend some time with Astra too!" Belle grumbles.
"Forget about that. We have to focus on the mission at hand," Evelyn keeps a close eye on Wise and Astra.
Wise and Astra walk around the store for a while longer, with Astra even picking out a hand made necklace to wear on her days off. They leave the store and head to their next destination, Coff Cafe. Though, they got stopped by a few fans who wanted to take pictures with Astra first. Not that she's going to say no. The two managed to get a nice spot on the upper floor. The weather is nice out that day, which makes it perfect.
"I didn't think so many fans would find me and take photos with me. Sorry about the delay," Astra says.
Wise waves it off, "It's fine. I kind of expected something to happen. If you don't mind me saying, just a pair of sunglasses would hardly count as a disguise. Especially with someone as famous and as popular as you,"
"Huh? But, I thought it was a good disguise," Astra looks quite shocked at this revelation.
Standing directly below them next to the business, Belle and Evelyn listen in while chowing on some noodles.
"That's exactly what I said. If she's going to go out in Cognito, she needs to nail the 'Cognito' part, or else people will recognize her from five miles away. We've been over this before," Evelyn grumbles, slurping her noodles.
"Um, are we spying on them or thinking of giving them professional advice when it comes to dating. For that matter, how many dates have you been on, Evelyn?" Belle asks.
"Not important right now. Focus on your noodles and then back on the date," Evelyn replies quickly.
They keep a close ear out as Astra and Wise finish up their meals before moving on. They head to the Dew Gardening Shop next. Astra wanted to find some new flowers to put up in her place. Wise isn't well-versed in botany, but he gives his input as best as he can. Belle and Evelyn watch on from outside, through the front windows. This little routine goes on for a while longer. Wise and Astra travel around the square, having a good time, while Evelyn and Belle watch on from the shadows. However, a slight issue comes up when Astra and Wise reach the end of their date.
"The day's almost done. We'd better get back. I'm sure Belle will be mad at me for leaving the store so suddenly, even if it's for you, Astra," Wise says.
"Oh, I'm sure it will be fine. Belle's a sweet girl. Besides, I'm sure that signed picture I left for her will lessen any potential damage," Astra adds.
"Um... damage?" Wise gets nervous upon hearing that.
Belle and Evelyn overhear them and Belle starts to panic, "Oh crap, they're heading back to the store. If they get there before us, Wise will definitely figure out that I left the store to follow them on their date! We need to get back before them, fast!"
"Leave that to me. Hang on," Evelyn grabs Belle around the waist and twirls one of her knives on its string.
Throwing it high, Evelyn starts swinging through the air like a comic book hero. They move through the buildings and somehow managed to reach the video store before Wise and Astra who were using the store's vehicle. It took everything Belle had not to throw up her noodles along the way. They make it inside and Belle finds Bangboo 18.
"18, listen, I was here the whole time and Evelyn never came to pick me up. Understand?" Belle confronts the Bangboo. When it looks like it was about to ask a question, she grabs its head and leans in real close. "UNDERSTAND?" she asks again, and the Bangboo nods its head while sweating.
"I'll leave now and come back shortly after to make it look like I'm just coming to pick Miss Yao up," Evelyn says, heading for the back door.
"Yep, and thanks again for the VIP passes and for not killing my brother. He's a nice guy in the end, right," Belle waves at her.
"I remain unconvinced... for now," Evelyn replies before exiting the store.
A few minutes later, Wise and Astra walk in through the front door, "Hey, Belle, did everything go okay here at the store?" Wise greets his sister.
Belle pretends to pout and look upset, "Yeah, the store is fine, but I'm not! I can't believe you just suddenly ditched me like that. Even if it was for Astra, that's so not cool!"
Wise scratches his head, "Yeah, sorry about that, Belle. I guess I should've given you a better heads-up. In hindsight, it was kind of last minute,"
"Now, now, Belle, it was my idea. I came here to borrow your brother, so it's my fault," Astra says.
"Nope, it's definitely NOT your fault, Astra. If anyone's to blame, it's my brother," Belle refuses to see Astra Yao as the guilty one here.
"Well, I did leave you that autographed photo as a gift. But, if that's not enough, then next time I drop by, we'll do something together. All three of us. Sound like a plan?" Astra suggests.
"Yes, that sounds excellent!" Belle nods her head excitedly.
Just then, the front door opens and in walks Evelyn, "Why am I not surprised that I would find you here, Miss Yao," Evelyn says.
"Eve, I was wondering where you were. I figured you would've found me a long time ago," Astra notes.
"I would've, but work kept me busy and away from keeping an eye on you. What have I told you about running off on your own like that? Let me guess, you went in a disguise, and that disguise was just a pair of sunglasses," Evelyn chastises her.
"Um... maybe?" Astra glances away, knowing she's been caught.
Evelyn sighs, "At least you were with someone we know and not a complete stranger. Who knows what could've happened. Now come along, everyone is worried sick about you," she heads for the door.
"Okay, I'm coming. Until next time, you two. Wise, thanks for hanging out with me. I had a fun time," Astra Yao gives a quick peck on the cheek for Wise, making him freeze up and blush.
Belle flips out on that, "Huh?! Why do you get a kiss from Astra Yao?! Is this what they call protagonist privilege?!" she starts crying now.
"Oh, Belle, no need to cry. Here," Astra gives Belle a peck on the cheek now. "Feel better now?"
Belle has a dreamy look on her face and stars in her eyes, "Yeah, I feel lovely now. So much better,"
Astra Yao giggles, "Heh-heh, oh you two are always so adorable. I hope to have more fun with you again soon. Ta-ta~," Astra takes her leave.
"Haaaa, Astra Yao can come by any time she wants. Just don't ditch me like that next time," Belle says.
"Okay, okay, I'll be sure to do that. Come on, we have a store to run," Wise walks into the back.
Belle kept her VIP passes in her pocket, smirking. Oh well, she can tell her brother about that later.
And that's the one-shot. Had the idea in my head after seeing one of the promos for Astra Yao in ZZZ and thought it would be nice to write it. Hope you all liked it. Until next time, please Read and Review.