"Oh, the manager is so amazing." Inside the Hollow, Astra Yao deliberately drew out her words, her gaze shifting between Wise and Griseo.
"The video store manager turned out to be the legendary Proxy Phaethon, and Princess Griseo of The Stars is a top-tier agent..."
"Uh, Astra? Is something wrong?"
As a die-hard Astra Yao fan, Wise immediately caught the teasing edge in her voice. Unease stirred inside him.
"I'm wondering if I should punish you, Mr. Manager." Astra Yao tilted her head and pretended to be angry.
"They say honesty should be met with honesty. We've known each other for so long, but I never expected you to hide an identity like that. I'm a little hurt."
"That's right, Astra. Wise likes doing that." Griseo calmly piled on.
Wise: "..."
"Pfft—" Astra Yao couldn't hold back a laugh. She turned to Griseo. "But Griseo, weren't you keeping a secret from me too?"
"No!" Griseo blinked, looking utterly innocent.
"You just never asked, Astra. Aria and the others all know I can enter Hollows, and that I'm really strong."
"How strong?" Astra Yao played along, her eyes bright with interest.
Griseo thought for a moment, then answered seriously, "Strong enough to beat the Dead End Butcher!"
"Wow, Griseo, you're incredible!"
Astra Yao clapped in admiration, then looked a little regretful. "It's too bad an unknown hero already took down the Dead End Butcher. Otherwise, I'd definitely team up with you!"
"Uh... you two?"
Watching them play off each other, Wise felt like an unnecessary extra. A strange helplessness washed over him.
Wait, that's not right!
How did I become the outsider? Wasn't I supposed to win Astra's favor?
Besides, he knew Astra Yao as well as the readers knew everything about Fire Turkey Noodles...
Oh, forget it. This wasn't the