Inside the Video Store on Sixth Street.
In front of Hoshimi Aya, Ling, and Zhe stood three white-haired girls.
And these three white-haired girls were wearing identical green outfits.
"Aya, Ling, Zhe, we came this time specifically to thank you."
"However, we don't have much extra currency on us, so to show our gratitude, we plan to work at the Video Store for a few days."
Anby said earnestly.
After several days of effort, she had successfully persuaded Twiggy and the others to start anew with her and Belle.
"That's right. If you hadn't told Captain Anby that I was still alive, I might have continued making the same mistake over and over."
Twiggy lowered her head and apologized.
"Uh... That's not necessary."
"The store business doesn't need extra help right now."
Ling felt a bit awkward looking at the three people who looked almost identical.
"Mm, that's good."
"Just being able to bring people back is already a blessing."
"As for repayment, there's no need for it."
Zhe agreed with her.
Hoshimi Aya, however, was staring blankly at the three of them.
The three wore uniform attire: Anby had headphones on, Twiggy wore an eye patch, and Girl A wore a mask.
But wearing identical outfits made them look somewhat strange no matter how one looked at it.
Anby and Girl A had very similar eyes, but perhaps because Twiggy had gone through something unpleasant, her eyes lacked the clarity of the other two.
"Anby, did Belle say how she plans to arrange for the other two?" Hoshimi Aya asked, if she remembered correctly, Cunning Hares rarely received commissions.
After all, Cunning Hares didn't have a very good reputation outside. If it weren't for Belle having wide connections, they might already be begging on the streets.
And if she remembered correctly, Belle still owed Ling and the others quite a bit in commission fees.
Now, with two more people added, wouldn't the pressure be too great?
"Belle hasn't said yet, but Twiggy and the others aren't skilled in combat."
"So I'm also not sure how Belle will arrange things."
Anby shook her head. After persuading the two, she had messaged Belle and then brought them over immediately.
After all, Cunning Hares ran a deficit every month, and they couldn't afford to pay much currency as thanks. Being able to help with work was the best method she could think of right now.
"I see. Although they have Ether Adaptation constitution, if they aren't good at fighting, Belle probably won't assign them to The Hollow."
Ling contemplated.
"We can still handle some ordinary Etheralss."
"It's just that we can't compare to Captain Anby."
Twiggy explained.
Girl A: "..."
"What are you saying?!"
"Captain Anby and the others aren't that kind of people."
"Say less of that discouraging talk in the future."
Twiggy scolded Girl A.
And Girl A lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong.
Ling and the others hadn't understood what Girl A said either, so they didn't know how to interject.
"I'm sorry, I created this child, so there are some flaws that make you all laugh."
"But A is very well-behaved."
Twiggy smiled.
"...Is there something wrong with her vocal cords?"
"Why does it feel like we can't understand what she's saying?"
Ling asked with an awkward laugh.
"My... vo... cal... cords... are... not... a... problem."
"It's... just... a... bit... un... ad... just... ed."
"I... will... prac... tice... speak... ing... well."
"I... will... try... my... best... to... be... like... a... nor... mal... per... son."
"Don't... wor... ry."
Girl A enunciated each word seriously, as if making some kind of resolution.
The three:...
"It's fine then. Have you eaten?"
"It's almost noon now, do you want to eat together?!"
"If you're coming... how about we go eat hotpot together?!"
"I know a hotpot restaurant with pretty good flavor."
Hoshimi Aya asked.
"We ate burgers on the way here."
Anby refused. They had already been helped so much; how could they bear to let them spend money?
However, right after she finished speaking, Twiggy and Girl A's stomachs rumbled, and soon after, Anby's stomach also let out a small sound.
Anby:...
"Alright, alright, let's go together then."
"We just took on a big order, we can afford one hotpot meal."
Ling said with a smile.
Just as the group was preparing to leave, the door of the Video Store was knocked on again.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Aya went to open the door.
"Why are you here again?" Hoshimi Aya looked at the person in front of her, puzzled.
"Little sister, I came to visit you."
"It just so happens I have free time recently."
"So I came to find you."
Hoshimi Miyabi explained.
"It's Miss Ya."
"We were just about to go eat hotpot, would you like to join us?!"
Ling walked to Hoshimi Aya's side, recognized the person as Hoshimi Miyabi, and invited her. After all, it was a chance for the sisters to grow closer. They had only just reconnected; they needed to bond.
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded upon hearing this. She had come specifically to find Hoshimi Aya, so naturally, she couldn't refuse.
Fortunately, theirs was a van; otherwise, fitting seven people would have been difficult.
Ling and Zhe sat in the front, Hoshimi Miyabi and Hoshimi Aya sat in the middle, and Anby and the other two sat in the back.
Then, the group arrived at the hotpot restaurant that Tsukishiro Yanagi had recommended previously.
...
The next day, at the Video Store on Sixth Street.
Inside Ling's room.
Hoshimi Aya was sleeping while hugging Ling, and Hoshimi Miyabi was sleeping while hugging Hoshimi Aya. Fortunately, Ling's bed was large enough; the three of them lying on one bed didn't feel cramped.
After eating hotpot yesterday, the group went to the arcade to play.
They played until evening. After sending Anby and the other two off, they had originally planned to send Hoshimi Miyabi back too, but she refused.
Hoshimi Miyabi expressed her desire to sleep with Hoshimi Aya, resulting in the current scene.
A short while later, the three of them woke up.
"Little sister, you smell so good."
Hoshimi Miyabi nuzzled Hoshimi Aya's back.
Hoshimi Aya, who was a bit groggy, didn't answer Hoshimi Miyabi but instead snuggled against Ling in the same manner, tightening her hold on Ling's arm a bit more.
"...Aya, you're holding too tight."
"Loosen up a little."
Saying this, Ling gently patted Hoshimi Miyabi's hand.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Miyabi loosened her grip.
The three of them lazily stretched in bed with tacit understanding.
None of them actively got up. Ling wanted to sleep a little longer.
Hoshimi Aya wanted to hug Ling and sleep a little longer, and Hoshimi Miyabi felt the same way. This was the first time she had slept in the same bed as her little sister.
So she wanted to hold her little sister close a while longer.
Suddenly, someone's phone rang.
"Hello, what's wrong, Ryu?" Hoshimi Miyabi answered the phone and asked.
"Section Chief, there is an important meeting this morning."
"It's starting in a little while."
"Where are you?" Ryu inquired.
"...I know, I'll be right there."
After speaking, Hoshimi Miyabi reluctantly got out of bed and left.
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