Ultimately, left with no other choice, Wise asked Hoshimi Miyabi to help carry the groceries while he walked beside her with his hands in his pockets, pretending nothing had happened as he discreetly held up his slipping pants.
The two returned to the video store side by side, unaware of whether certain eyes might be watching and recording the scene.
"Oh, Brother, you just went to buy groceries and already picked up another girl?"
Inside the video store, Belle glanced at Miyabi, who stood quietly beside Wise with the shopping bags in her hands, and whispered to him.
At the same time, she couldn't help wondering why it had to be another Thiren. There seemed to be quite a few Thiren girls around Wise lately, and she started to suspect that maybe he preferred that type.
Just as she was debating whether to order some cat ear headbands or accessories online later, Wise came downstairs after changing his pants and waved dismissively.
"No, that's not it. Miss Miyabi and I just happened to meet. It all started because of a honeydew melon."
"Honeydew melon?" Belle blinked, puzzled.
"Yes. Let me explain..."
Wise then recounted everything that had just happened.
After listening, Belle nodded thoughtfully and mused, 'So the Section Chief of the Hollow Special Operations Section 6, Miyabi, likes honeydew melon that much?'
While she was lost in thought, Wise seized the moment and glanced at Miyabi, who was quietly browsing the videotapes nearby.
"Since you're already here, Miss Miyabi, would you like to stay and have some honeydew melon before heading back? Consider it my way of thanking you for the help."
"Mhm, I'd appreciate that."
Her eyes brightened instantly, agreeing without hesitation, as if the only words she had processed were honeydew melon.
[Ding! Target Miyabi: has increased her favorability toward the host by 10. Her current favorability is now 50. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 16200]
Not long after, Wise placed the sliced honeydew melon on the table. Even though she had been eager, Miyabi still politely clasped her hands before taking a bite.
"Mhm, so sweet. I love it."
While eating the honeydew melon, Miyabi didn't forget to give her honest opinion. In no time, she had already finished two of the six slices on the plate.
It was obvious she wasn't satisfied with just two pieces, yet she still stopped. Wise couldn't help feeling puzzled.
"Is something wrong, Miss Miyabi?"
He was referring to the way she had pulled back her hand just as she was about to reach for another slice.
She gently shook her head.
"I've already finished my portion. The rest is yours."
The siblings immediately caught on. Belle quickly waved her hand.
"It's fine, there's still plenty left. Miss Miyabi, please eat as much as you like. If it's not enough, we can always cut more."
"But Yanagi said that if I eat too much…" Miyabi's voice faded, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
"Eating a little extra once in a while won't hurt," Wise replied calmly.
As he said that, he remembered the time Belle had clung to his arm, pleading for ice cream, only to eat far beyond her limit.
Nothing had happened in the end, and even now, he had no idea how she'd managed it.
After a bit more coaxing from the siblings, Miyabi finally stretched out her impatient little hand again.
At worst, she would simply add a few extra training sessions later. Yes, she'd treat this as part of her discipline and call it 'training to challenge one's desires.'
A convenient excuse, perhaps, but one that let her indulge without guilt.
[Ding! Target Miyabi: has increased her favorability toward the host by 10. Her current favorability is now 60. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]
[Current Emotional Value: 16700]
In the end, Miyabi ate an entire honeydew melon by herself before she was finally satisfied. Seeing that it was getting late, she rose from her seat, ready to leave.
"Are you leaving already, Miss Miyabi?" Wise asked with a faint smile.
"Mhm. It's getting late. I will remember the kindness of this honeydew melon, along with the ones before. I will surely repay you in the future."
She looked at him seriously, but then a shy look crossed her face, and she turned her head a little.
"Also… from now on, just call me Miyabi."
Her voice was quiet, but Wise heard it clearly.
"Alright, Miyabi. In that case, please call me Wise from now on too."
"Mhm."
She nodded and walked toward the video store door. But when she got close, she saw someone standing outside through the glass.
More specifically, someone very familiar.
Her expression shifted at once, like a child caught sneaking sweets before dinner. She abruptly turned around, clearly intending to hide inside the store.
However, that sudden movement made her collide with Wise, who was standing right behind her. In her panic, Miyabi didn't hold back her strength, causing him to stumble slightly.
He instinctively reached out to steady the girl in front of him while regaining his own balance.
"Thank…"
Miyabi tried to thank him, but before she could finish, she suddenly felt her 'conscience' being grabbed.
Her calm expression disappeared at once, replaced by shock and panic, even worse than when she had met Yanagi earlier.
One of Wise's hands was holding her back to keep her steady, but that wasn't the problem. His other hand was directly grabbing the softness of her chest.
Wise froze in disbelief. He didn't even have time to think about what he was feeling before he saw Miyabi's hand move to her sword hilt, clearly ready to draw it.
Not daring to hesitate, he quickly pulled his hand back, afraid that the girl before him might lose control and unsheathe her blade on the spot.
"Miyabi, Miss Yanagi will be here any second. You should leave through the back door, quickly."
Seeing how red Miyabi's face had become and how shaken she looked, Wise did not hesitate to urge her.
On one hand, he feared she might truly lose control. If things escalated, the consequences would be disastrous. On the other hand, he had just helped Miyabi deceive Yanagi.
If Yanagi discovered she had been in his store all along, how was he supposed to explain that?
Wise's words brought Miyabi back to her senses. Even though her face was still burning, she slowly let go of her sword hilt.
"That settles the favor from earlier. We're even."
With that, and without waiting for a response, she quickly moved past him and slipped out through the back door moments before Yanagi entered.
Still, the blush on her face didn't fade.
Meanwhile, inside the video store, Yanagi slowly entered while gently rubbing her forehead. Watching her, Wise felt that something was wrong.
He immediately stepped forward to support her.
"Miss Yanagi, are you alright?"
At the sound of his voice, Yanagi's guarded posture eased at once. In relaxing, part of her body lightly brushed against Wise.
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original)
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