It's been a few days since the whole movie premiere and things have gone... Quite peaceful in the Video Store. Business has skyrocketed and Belle actually bought a new Bangboo to help with the counter. Not to mention that the 'actors' of Cunning Hares movie become the patron of the Video Store.
Though, just for today, the counter is manned by Bangboos again. Because all the actors and the manager are holding a small meeting in the staff room. A nice innocent meeting about an upcoming innocent commission in a Hollow near Brant Construction Site.
"Isn't it too soon for assassination?" Nicole asked. "Honey, I don't think the benefit is worth the trouble and the risk,"
Belle rubbed her chin in deep thought. "Hmmm... I just don't like her, she asks too much," she swayed around to the tune of the Video Store BGM. "Hmmm... I'm just worried she'll snoop too much," she grabbed some chips from a bowl in front of her.
"Grace snooping wouldn't be as damaging than getting caught killing her," Nicole argued.
Nekomiya, Billy, and Anby meanwhile simply shut up and listen. None of them dared to go between argument between Nicole and Belle. They know what Nicole is doing, convincing Belle that there's a better way other than killing in cold blood.
The outcome of this small discussion literally decides the life of an innocent person...
"I mean, how else do you explain Koleda blocking us from the Inter-Knot?" Belle ate the chip and folded her arms, huffing in annoyance. "After all the things I did for her and her company..." she wipe some crumb off her face. "Oh the cheek!"
Nicole rolled her eyes. "Yeah, she's being an ungrateful brat, but she won't learn anything if you just kill her sister," she waved her hand. "Look, I suggest we just sit here and wait until they come crawling for our help," she began. "Then when she asked for it, we charge them 300% the normal price, what do you say?"
A grin formed on Belle's face. "Ah! That's genius!" she clasped her hand. "And actually, you know what? Let's do the opposite, give her a discount! Make it seem like we're just super generous and make her feel worse for skipping out on our service!" she grabbed another chip and ate it. "Mmm~ It's gonna be so funny, ehehe~"
Nekomiya silently sighed in relief, another crisis averted.
Nicole nodded. "So, it's settled then? We'll wait for her to come crawling back?"
Belle stood up. "Nope, let's make sure it actually happens," she said with a grin.
Everyone tensed up.
"Wait, wait," Nicole smiled a little. "Let's not be too hasty here..."
"Aww, come on Nicole, it'll be fun," she took Nicole's hand and helped her up. "It's okay, we'll just have to give them a good reason to get our help, right?"
Nicole closed her eyes. "Well, I supposed we do," she said before giving everyone else and apologetic smile, as if saying: 'Yeah, I tried my best here'.
"Fairy!" Belle shouted. "Give me a run down on Belobog History!"
"Understood, master," Fairy replied. "Belobog is a construction company founded during the early days of New Eridu..."
"No, no, that can come later!" Belle waved her hand. "Give me the juicy bits!"
"Khors Belobog, the former CEO of Belobog Industry and the father of Koleda Belobog was said to have embezzled and ran away with the company money, accounting over 28 million dennies. Following this accident, Koleda Belobog was forced into the position of CEO despite being inexperienced,"
Belle made a fist pump. "Now that's juicy!" she did a twirl. "Little girl with daddy issues, the best kind of ally to have, don't you think!?" she turned to everyone who tried to hide just how uncomfortable they are. "Aww, come on, don't look at me like that, we're going to be the heroes who save her from this darkness!"
With that cheery note, Belle sat in front of the H.D.D. "Alright let's get started!" she grinned and turned to the H.D.D. "Our next mission! Groom, I mean, help the President of Belobog Industry to become a great CEO!"
[LINE BREAK]
Nekomiya's hand was trembling as she sat on the back seat of the car. Arms hugging Eous's round body in desperate need for comfort. Beside her, Anby sat calmly, gazing at the city of New Eridu through the window.
"We're not here to kill," Anby said.
"I nyoow..." Nekomiya hugged Eous tighter. "I'm just... scared nyaaa... What will Belle make us do!?"
"I'll do it, if you don't want to," Anby said.
Nekomiya shook her head. "I can't make you do that nyaa..." she plopped her head on Eous's head. "I just..." she sighed deeply. "Koleda and the rest did nothing wrong... It's just... cruel all the same for us to do this..."
"Nekomiya, we're not heroes..." Anby reminded her. "When we saved those settlement from Vision? That's not a story of hero fighting villain. It's a monster fighting a villain," she closed her eyes. "Belle had no intention to save those people, it just so happens that they can be saved."
"I know... I just thought that it'd be better if..."
"Oh, shut up you two!" Nicole shouted from the driver's seat. "Oh woe is me, I am forced against my will to do bad things by my boss," she glared at them from the rearview mirror. "Well guess what? We're not forcing you to do anything! You are free to get the hell out of this criminal group whenever the fuck you like, you hear me!? You want to be a hero!? Head on over to Public Security and turn yourself in! See how they'll repay you!!!"
Nekomiya winced and looked down, ears drooping flat against her head. "S-sorry..." she clenched her fist. "I'm sorry..." she took a deep staggered breath, fighting back the tears. "I won't complain anymore... I promise..."
The rest of the car ride went in silence. The streets outside became a blur as Nicole sped through the city. Nekomiya closed her eyes, wishing for some relief. Nicole's words reminded her too much to when she pretends to be a villain. Now she's desperately hoping for that rugpull moment, when it's revealed that it's all just a joke, that this all just one elaborate prank...
...
Miracle don't come twice, Nekomiya learned that day...