"Yay, thank you, Miss Jane, for your support! The stored-value card is ready!"
As Belle spoke, she completed the entire process at a remarkably fast pace.
"Thank you, Manager, but now that I'm the highest-tier member, what about what I just mentioned..."
Jane cast a meaningful glance at Wise. Picking up on it, he chose not to press the matter further.
"Well, like I said, even if Miss Jane hadn't gotten a membership, I would have agreed without hesitation. After all, earning your favor would surely make others envious," Wise replied with a smile.
"Haha, you really know how to talk, but..." Jane trailed off.
Then, without warning, she stepped beside Wise, placed a hand on his shoulder, and leaned close to his ear, her voice soft and teasing.
"Let's save that for next time. Your big sister still has a few matters to handle."
After saying that, Jane quietly observed his reaction. He wasn't as flustered as she had expected, though he still looked rather adorable. With a graceful wave, she turned and left.
"Wow, that lady is still so dashing. But she didn't notice anything, right?"
Once Jane was gone, Belle leaned closer and whispered to Wise. However, he didn't seem the least bit concerned.
"Don't worry. There's no way they could trace anything back to us. Our public identities are spotless."
"Hmm, you're right, Brother. I was just worrying for nothing."
"Oh no, you shouldn't worry."
"Huh? What do you mean—wait, Brother, no, I'm sowy!"
<<>>
At the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team office, Jane stopped by before her next mission and happened to run into Zhu Yuan, who had just finished questioning Seth.
"Jane, you've come at just the right time. I still have a few questions about the person who helped your group."
"Oh? Alright. Though I don't know much, so I might end up disappointing you."
"That's fine. Just tell me whatever you can," Zhu Yuan replied.
She had been quite surprised after learning from Seth that the person who assisted them called himself 'Phaethon.'
She couldn't help but recall the time Phaethon had helped her and Senior Qingyi. Back then, he had also appeared at the perfect moment, which led Zhu Yuan to entertain a rather far-fetched thought.
'Could he be part of Public Security? Or maybe someone connected to the team? Did he notice something unusual, investigate it, and then step in to help?'
There were far too few clues to draw any solid conclusions, but Zhu Yuan already had a favorable impression of Phaethon.
Not a single negative comment about him had surfaced on the Inter-Knot, and his timely interventions alone were enough to vouch for his character.
If his identity were ever formally investigated, Public Security would likely classify him as a highly capable individual and attempt to recruit him.
"Hey, isn't that Zhu Yuan? And Jane, too. Are you two following up on a case?"
Qingyi came around the corner, greeting them casually. Zhu Yuan nodded in response.
"Yes, that's right. Actually, Senior Qingyi, your timing is perfect. The higher-ups just informed us that the Public Security community service event will be held in a few days. We'll need you to keep that in mind."
"Community service? Hmm, that works for me," Qingyi replied with a nod.
It didn't sound too demanding. If she had the time, she could always drop by and play a few games of chess with the elderly.
At the same time, Qingyi felt that this Phaethon, who had come to Jane and the others' aid, was worth paying attention to. She decided to review the case files later.
<<>>
A few days later, the video store had no customers, so Wise, Belle, and the twin sisters decided to watch a movie to pass the time.
Just then, a light knock sounded at the door, accompanied by a familiar, lively voice.
"Hello Excuse me! For assistance, please contact the Public Security point-to-point community service. Please open the door"
"Eh? Of all times, right at the best part..."
Hearing the voice, Belle couldn't help but groan. Not wanting to move, she patted Wise's arm beside her.
"Brother, could you get the door? I'll go once this part finishes."
Her pouty tone left Wise feeling a bit helpless, and Odette raised her hand, offering to go instead.
"No need. You all keep watching. Besides, for a community visit, the store manager should be the one handling reception."
Wise walked over to the door and caught a glimpse of the person outside through the glass panel. It was Qingyi, the same one speaking in that cheerful, almost girlish voice.
A wave of surprise washed over him. Meanwhile, Qingyi, still standing outside, didn't seem to notice him and continued in the same tone.
"Hello You have reserved the Public Security's point-to-point community service! PubSec Officer Qingyi is here to assist you"
'Huh? When did I ever reserve a point-to-point community service?' Wise thought, scratching his head.
He opened the door, and Qingyi greeted him with a bright smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! I am PubSec Officer Qingyi. May I ask what your specific request is for today's community service?"
"Uh, Qingyi? Are you alright? You seem a little... off. Kind of like..."
Like an AI stuck in a scripted loop, but Wise kept that part to himself.
Then again, maybe it wasn't entirely wrong.
"Oh, isn't this Wise? My apologies, my apologies. I didn't recognize you just now. I was still in automatic patrol mode."
Qingyi's emerald eyes refocused slightly, as if she had just snapped back to reality, and her tone returned to normal in an instant.
"Eh? This is..."
"Phew... It's finally over. Truly a classic."
Belle stepped out of the back room, her phone still in hand. The final lines of the movie had carried clearly enough to reach Qingyi's ears, piquing her curiosity.
"What were you all watching to get so absorbed?"
"Terminator 2. Have you seen it, Qingyi? I've been meaning to recommend it for ages!"
Noticing a hint of interest on her face, Wise quickly brought up the title, but Qingyi shook her head.
"Not yet. Give me a moment... Done. It follows an artificial being, Model E800, tasked with protecting a young girl in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. The two come to rely on each other and gradually form a bond, though they are ultimately forced to part ways. The plot is acceptable."
Listening to Qingyi summarize the entire movie in seconds, Belle's expression twisted in frustration.
"...Ugh! You just looked up spoilers! Watching a movie like that completely ruins it!"
Qingyi raised her index finger and shook it lightly.
"I did not look up spoilers. I simply retrieved the film from the database for analysis and pattern recognition."
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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 - P@treon Only Until It Reaches 30 Chapters)
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