Back in Meilian's Apartment
"Ah...how are you able to move so fast?!" Billy groans as he collapses into a nearby wall, with Anby and Nekomiya lying next to him.
"Ouch...I feel my entire body sore, and I never get sore!" Nekomiya exclaims in dismay.
"Is she secretly a wise old master guising as a normal old lady because she desires retirement?" Anby mutters quietly.
"Hahaha, I'm not some sort of martial arts practitioner like the Yunkui Summit, Anby," Meilian chuckles. "Although, I learned some breathing exercises from one of the graduating students back before the fall of New Eridu to keep myself fit."
"...may I learn such a technique? It could help me go to the Hollow in the future," Anby asks.
"Keep up with me in the kitchen first, then maybe I'll reconsider it," Meilian smiles mischievously. Anby takes those words as a challenge, determined to do that.
"...do you think Anby will ever get to learn that technique?" Nekomiya whispers to Billy, but Anby hears it loud and clear as her veins pop.
"Dunno, with how much we struggle, including me, I doubt it," Anby could feel more of her veins pop before elbowing Nekomiya and slamming a metal spoon onto Billy's head. Meilian chuckles as she watches them fight like siblings.
"...this place is much more lively than I remember," Phil mutters, standing at the other side of the counter while holding a plate, as Slyboo nods in agreement, pouring the food into Phil's plate.
"I think it makes life more interesting with the Cunning Hares' liveliness," Mem giggles as Slyboo puts the food on her plate.
"I honestly wasn't expecting them to move here at all," Phil admits as he and Mem put some money onto the counter and walk away.
"Of course we would move here!" Nicole exclaims as she is sitting at one of the tables, eating while counting the money she earned. "The low-cost rent is a godsend! And we get free breakfast as well? It's literally a steal!"
"That explains so much..." Phil sweatdrops as Nicole's eyes turn into a literal Dennies sign while happily counting money. Phil may know of the Cunning Hares in a short time, but they feel almost like an open book.
While her crew helps Meilian in the kitchen, Nicole decides to continue with her book sale on Lumina Square, and she wonders why she didn't think of this idea, especially after seeing how many customers she got compared to Sixth Street.
She was so happy with how much money she earned today that she completely ignored the death threats to Trailblazer disguised as 5-Star reviews. Even if they hate the authors for making their favorite characters suffer, they can't deny the story is good.
"So, did you know where Caelus went?" Nicole asks.
"Are you planning to ask him to join the Cunning Hare again?" Phil asks while raising his eyebrow.
"Nah, I gave that up." Now that is a complete surprise for Phil. He remembers not long ago that Nicole relentlessly 'requests' Caelus to join them. What changed her mind? "He had helped us with so much, so I'd rather not disturb him more."
Huh, Phil had to admit, he might not know Nicole enough. To think this shameless money-loving woman would have a kind heart.
"Also, I would rather avoid the coworkers of his future jobs," Nicole mutters, but Phil hears her loud and clear. What does she mean by that?
"She had once scammed a Void Hunter for her weapon," Mem explains after noticing Phil's confused look, earning a panicked look from Nicole.
"Oh." That explains so much. She had pissed off Hoshimi Miyabi.
It was one of the world's greatest wonders that she could survive till now.
"A-anyways, do you know where he went? I plan on paying his shares," Phil raises his eyebrow, looking surprised. "Why are you-!? Oh come on, I have never considered taking all the money for ourselves! We owe him too much for that! We have standards, damn it!"
"...I'm surprised you even have one," Phil mutters.
"I heard that!" Mem giggles as she watches them banter. "Anyways, do you know where he is or not?"
"He usually goes to Coff Cafe for his daily dose of caffeine while reading his medical study book," Nicole blinks in surprise, not expecting that response.
"...I didn't know he was the type of guy who studies medicine, or even studying at all," Nicole admits as Phil snorts.
"Oh, trust me, I was as surprised as you were upon learning he knows his way around machines and engineering. He managed to fix the broken W-Engine he found in the trash and even create a new source of energy, with nothing but scraps." Phil explains.
"Geez, good at fighting and engineering? Damn, that tailless fox truly hit the jackpot if she accepts his application," Phil merely nods with a hint of sadness, which didn't go unnoticed by Nicole. "What's with that look?"
"Just...a bit jealous of him," Phil admits. "I did a lot trying to graduate from my university so I could join H.A.N.D, but Caelus gets the chance so easily. It didn't help that he even has the talent, but I feel terrible for feeling like this since he's been helping me so much."
"...Caelus almost died during his first confrontation with the Dead-End Butcher," Nicole says seriously, catching Phil off guard. "He asked us to escape while he fended off the giant behemoth, while also saving someone. It was his weird power that kept him alive."
"..." Phil looks down, feeling even more guilty for being jealous of Caelus.
"What you think is easy, it was life-threatening for Caelus," Nicole explains. "If I'm being honest, he earns that chance, especially after the world almost took his life away."
"...yeah, I can see that," Phil admits.
"Besides, I doubt H.A.N.D. is stupid enough to ignore you," Nicole exclaims, which surprises Phil. "You're a smart little critter based on what Wise and Belle said. And seeing the weapon hiding in your belt, I bet you are no slouch either."
"H-how did you know about this?" Phil asks in surprise.
"Kid, I live in the street and deal with gangs and criminals. If I didn't know there's a hidden weapon, I would be 10 feet under along with my friends," Nicole says as Phil stares at her before chuckling lightly. "What's so funny, kid?"
"No, just wasn't expecting you to say all that," Phil admits. "Also, didn't expect you to have a soft heart."
"...I regret talking to you," Nicole mutters before looking at Mem; her face grows concerned. "So...how are you?"
"I'm okay," Mem says with a smile.
"Really? No nightmares or anything like that?" Nicole asks in concern, confusing Phil. Seriously, what's with Nicole showing she cares without any concern for her image?
"Don't worry about it," Mem says with a reassuring smile.
"Okay..." Nicole sounds unsure, but given how Mem didn't seem troubled, she lets it go. Phil lets out a confused 'huh?'. Wondering what was going on.
Before he could ask more, he heard familiar voices coming from the front door. He turns around and widens his eyes at what he's seeing right now.
Caelus is casually talking with Astra Yao, each holding a cup of boba milk tea. Phil's jaw drops as Caelus and Astra walk past him, catching Nicole's attention before raising her eyebrow. Mem watches this and simply smiles.
"Oh, wow. I would never have thought Caelus would get himself a date with a pretty girl," Nicole admits before annoyingly groping her breasts. "I had shown him these goodies, and he barely reacted. I honestly thought he was gay."
"Have you considered he might not be interested in you or your pair of meat bags?" Mem says while smiling widely.
"...do you have to be harsh with your words?" Nicole mutters before looking at Phil questioningly. "Also, why are you looking so shocked?"
"He has a date..." Phil mutters in surprise, causing Nicole to furrow her brows.
"You made it sound like he is incapable of getting one. He looks attractive enough to get anyone's attention." Nicole points out.
"You don't get it. He's having a date with Astra Yao!" Phil hisses quietly, causing Nicole's brain to start rebooting, trying to process what the bunny Thiren had just said.
"HE WHAT!?!!" Nicole exclaims in disbelief, getting everyone's attention as Mem and Phil cover her mouth while apologizing to the crowd. Both Astra and Caelus glance at their side as Caelus lets out a quiet sigh while Astra looks at them questioningly.
"I wonder what that was all about?" Astra muses as Caelus sighs.
"Don't worry too much. It's none of our business what they're discussing," Caelus responds.
"Don't be like that. Maybe it'll be perfect gossip material," Astra says with a wink.
"I hope not," Caelus mutters, causing Astra to pout cutely. Meanwhile, Nicole stares at the duo in disbelief while Phil and Mem watch them.
"Geez, he sure has a high standard. Scoring a pop star as his girlfriend. No wonder he ignores me," Nicole grumbles.
"No offense, but shoving your boobs to him isn't helping either," Phil deadpans. He would never understand people who are obsessed with boobs; are they like that because it's satisfying to squeeze them? Why not buy some pillows instead?
At least Caelus isn't like that.
"...Manager's Twin gets a date?" Billy mutters in disbelief as he, along with the rest of the Cunning Hares, watch from the kitchen.
"Congratulations, Caelus," Anby mutters while giving him a thumbs-up, not caring if Caelus could see her.
"What does that hoe see in that cat-napper?" Nekomiya hisses before Anby grabs a spray bottle and squeezes the trigger, causing Nekomiya to hiss loudly. Meanwhile, Meilian walks out of the kitchen and greets the duo.
"Hello, Caelus and Astra." The trio believes they might hear her wrong, cause did Meilian call that girl Astra, as in Astra Yao of the Stars of Lyra, the current most famous singer of New Eridu, that Astra!?!
"Hey, Ms. Meilian," Caelus greets while rubbing the back of his head. "So, you don't have any trouble in the kitchen, right?"
"Don't worry too much," Meilian waves it off as Slyboo prepares food for the duo. "I got a lot of helping hands today. Besides, I don't want to ruin a young couple's date."
"Uh...not a date, Ms. Meilian. For now, it's just two friends hanging out." Caelus blushes a bit as Astra giggles and hugs Caelus' arm, causing him to turn redder.
"But he did promise he would ask me for a date in the future," Astra winks. Caelus' friends' jaws drop like a ton of bricks while Mem pulls out a book with a cover 'New Eridu's Romantic Story' and notes the scene excitedly.
To be Continued