Zane shook his head slightly, his mind clearing. The vivid memory remained intact.
It wasn't a dream.
He lifted his gaze to the switched-off television and exhaled softly. Since he couldn't make sense of it, he'd set it aside for now. He wasn't the type to let trivial matters weigh him down.
At least it didn't seem like a bad thing.
"Where did those guys go? Why didn't they call me?"
Zane rose from the sofa, stretched, and muttered to himself. But he knew the reason—they hadn't disturbed him because they'd seen him asleep.
Just as he was wondering where they were, faint laughter drifted in from outside. He raised an eyebrow, realizing they were playing out there.
Opening the door, he found the sky outside the video store already dark—the moment just before nightfall. Scanning the area, he quickly spotted Belle, grinning as she worked on a snowman.
Beside her, Eous held a metal pipe nearly as long as his forearm, seemingly intending it as the snowman's nose. On the other side, Panta... was clutching a pair of boots that looked strangely familiar.
Hmm. Very familiar indeed.
"Mr. Zane."
Augilia had noticed him and called out. At the sound of her voice, the others also looked up at Zane.
The next second, a snowball came flying straight at him.
But with the experience from last time, Zane reacted swiftly, sidestepping with ease.
Not far away, Belle sighed lightly. It wasn't her who had thrown it, but Augetta—though she had been the one to encourage her.
Augilia may have spoken first, but Belle's sharp eyes had caught sight of Zane emerging the moment he stepped out. Unfortunately, the sneak attack hadn't worked.
"Sir, you're amazing!"
Augetta exclaimed with admiration. To her, Zane's reflexes were far faster than her own.
Beside her, Belle pursed her lips, keeping her thoughts to herself.
If the entire "snow mountain" came crashing down, you wouldn't think it was so amazing...
"Belle, haven't you had enough of snow after all these days? Hmph, what happened to the snowman you built earlier?"
"Some unknown jerk destroyed it..."
As she spoke, Belle cast Zane a mischievous glance.
"What do you mean? I wouldn't do something like that."
Zane frowned, clearly displeased with her gaze.
"I never said it was you. Don't take it personally..."
Belle lowered her head and continued shaping her snowman. Hearing her words, Zane's expression darkened slightly.
So she was waiting here for me. She's got some skill digging this trap...
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?!"
Catching sight of Zane approaching from the corner of her eye, Belle quickly stood up and planted herself in front of the snowman, glaring at him warily.
"Relax. I've no interest in amusing myself by bullying children or destroying their toys..."
"Child." "Child's toy."
Zane's words carried a clear dig, and Belle understood perfectly.
"Who's the kid?!"
She snapped back in protest, though she still moved aside. She knew Zane might have a twisted sense of humor, but he wouldn't actually wreck her snowman. It was probably some bratty kid...
The thought flickered and passed. Belle turned to Augetta, ready to rope her into the argument.
"If I'm a kid for building a snowman, then she—"
But the words caught in her throat. Her eyes widened as she spotted the castle Augetta had built from snow.
Not Sister Au...
When did that happen?
She must have been too focused on her own snowman to notice...
Zane picked up an orange pair of goggles, placed them on the snowman's face, adjusted them, then nodded with satisfaction.
Not bad. Looked just as dazed as Soldier 11.
Hearing Belle trail off, Zane turned his head. Spotting the snow castle, he chuckled softly.
"It's quite lovely."
"Do you like it, sir? Hehe, I made figures too! Look at the little people on top of the castle—guess who they are?"
"Could it be me?"
"Huh? How did you know, sir?"
"Augetta, your eyes already gave you away..."
After sharing a laugh, Zane turned back to Belle, curiosity in his tone.
"Belle, what did you just say?"
Still caught off guard, Belle flushed red and waved her hands frantically.
"N-nothing!"
"Really?"
Zane's lips curved in amusement.
Belle's eyes widened. Seeing that teasing smile, her face twisted in frustration. She raised her hand and lunged at him.
"Aaaah! You did that on purpose!"
She swatted at him a few times, but quickly realized it was useless and tiring. Huffing, she stopped.
Zane chuckled at her expression, which clearly read, I'll let you off this time.
Beside them, Augetta giggled behind her hand. The way Mr. Zane and Belle interacted was always so entertaining...
Augilia, too, felt her spirits lift, a quiet joy easing the heaviness in her heart.
Augilia helped Augetta continue "building" the castle, while Zane lent Belle a hand with the snowman's details.
As Belle worked, her gaze drifted toward the sisters, recalling the smiles on their faces earlier. Her lips curved faintly.
But before she could hum in contentment, Zane's voice came at her ear.
"Even if you're happy, don't sing. Hold it in. If I hear too much, I'll have nightmares tonight..."
Belle's smile froze, her expression darkening.
"Haha... just teasing you."
"Your singing is heavenly, Belle."
Zane glanced at her, chuckling softly as he shook his head. Belle snorted lightly and went back to fixing the snowman's broken arm.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"By the way, Zane, what are your plans for the next couple of days? Do you need my brother and me to help?"
Zane paused briefly, then spoke softly.
"We'll take it one step at a time. But... we must fulfill Augetta and Augilia's wishes."
"Let them truly see this world."
Belle thought it over, then nodded.
"Zane, let me know if you need anything. I might not be much help, but Fairy should prove useful."
"Alright."
Zane naturally wouldn't turn down the offer.
Just then, a voice suddenly echoed from afar.
"Zane."
The familiar tone made him raise an eyebrow. He stood, turned toward the sound, and looked in surprise at the approaching figure.
"Trigger?"