***: "Breaking news just received by this station-Vision Corporation's callous disregard for human life has erupted into a shocking scandal!
After receiving a tip, our reporters followed Public Security forces and have now arrived at the demolition command post near the entrance to Dead End Hollow!"
Here they came. This *** reporter had once again arrived at the scene of a major incident to broadcast live. Along with them came large numbers of Public Security officers, reporters, Belobog Heavy Industries, and many victims who had already escaped.
The officers had also brought large numbers of armored transports to carry these dangerous armed militants and their prohibited firearms and weapons.
The reporters thrust their cameras and microphones into every corner of the site, either asking the militants how they felt about being arrested or asking Public Security officials about the situation at the scene. Bringer was among those officials.
Of course, that was beside the point.
"Th-that voice... N-Nicole!?"
Nekomata recognized the voice as Nicole's as he searched everywhere in the crowd for her. She immediately pulled her head back in and clamped both hands over her cat ears.
She felt too ashamed to face them now. After all, she had misunderstood them earlier and even wanted them dead.
Just as Nekomata was thinking they would leave on their own if they could not find her, she saw the iron guards surrounding her disperse.
"Hey, why are you leaving? Oh, whatever, that works too. I need to run..."
"Where are you going?"
"Meow-!!!"
About to sneak away, Nekomata glanced back and found herself face-to-face with Anby, who had approached silently from behind. Her fur stood on end in fright.
Nicole: "Finally found you. So this is where you were, Nekomata. I was wondering what else they were surrounding."
Nekomata: "It's you! Wh-what do you want?"
Anby: "We asked first, didn't we? Where were you trying to sneak off to? We still have to give our statements at Public Security."
Nekomata: "I... uh... They were the ones who solved everything anyway. It doesn't make any difference whether I'm there..."
Billy: "Hey, what do you mean, they solved everything? We helped too!"
Nicole: "Exactly! Without us, those residents wouldn't have made it out here!"
Nekomata: "Then you don't need me, right? You can just go..."
Anby: "That won't do. You're an important witness who can prove Vision's crimes. More importantly, as far as the Cunning Hares are concerned..."
Nekomata's expression immediately darkened. Seemingly having guessed what came next, she tried to cut in. "I'm the culprit who tried to murder you, right?"
"You're the only one who hasn't paid their share."
Nekomata's gloomy expression froze. Her brain could not keep up either, and she asked in stunned confusion:
"Huh? Wh-what? What 'share'?"
Billy: "Your share of the meal, of course! Your share! We're splitting the bill!"
Nekomata: "Huh? A m-meal... splitting the bill?"
Anby: "Like we said earlier, once this commission was finished, we would all go out for a big meal."
Nicole: "Well, you said you didn't want to go to the Starlight Knights theme restaurant, so Billy absolutely refused to treat us. If we all want a good meal, we'll just have to split the bill!"
Billy: "Mm-hmm~!"
After hearing that, Nekomata demanded angrily, "Wait a minute! You clearly promised to give an important client like me a proper reception! Why are you suddenly changing your minds and making me pay?!
Besides, did you even ask what I thought? Did I agree to go with you?!"
Nicole: "That's true. We haven't asked yet. Anby!"
Anby nodded and earnestly invited Nekomata. "Right. Then I'll formally ask you now. Nekomata, would you like to come eat with us?"
Billy gave a thumbs-up from behind. "The Phaethon siblings are coming too! And it's a buffet!"
Nicole: "The kind with unlimited mackerel!"
"I..."
Nekomata stood stunned. She knew what they were trying to tell her. Her small body trembled slightly, and her voice choked up.
"I... um..." Then she burst into tears, laughing and crying as she agreed. "Unlimited mackerel, right? Then I can give it some serious thought!"
Hearing her answer, Nicole could not help smiling too.
Someone else had been watching their every move the whole time. Huojin sat silently atop a construction crane, doing nothing but drinking a liquid resembling fine liquor.
Beside him lay more than a dozen empty bottles brought by his subordinates. Butler was there too, and after Huojin finished his nineteenth bottle, he reminded him:
"Master, excessive medication will harm your flesh. I hope you will exercise restraint."
"I know. My mind's just a little muddled, and... I feel a little stifled too."
Everything at home was ready now, and he had intended to bring Nicole home tonight.
But despite half an hour of earnest persuasion, he had been turned down every time on the grounds that Nicole had plans and was busy. Nicole said he would naturally come home later when he had time.
But Huojin did not want to wait at all. He grew irritated despite himself and even considered forcibly tying Nicole up and taking him home. Reason quickly suppressed that thought, but it also left him somewhat frightened afterward.
Realizing his mental state was somewhat unstable, he had come here under the pretext of handling the handover with Public Security.
A trivial task like the handover, which amounted to exchanging a few pleasantries and then dusting off his hands and leaving, could be left to his subordinates. Why would he need to handle it himself?
Butler glanced at the empty bottles on the ground and asked, "Master, has the medication stopped working?"
Huojin: "Probably. It feels like it's getting worse."
His long years of life before this and the severe mental trauma he had suffered early on caused his mind to twist involuntarily, leading him to do some rather bad things. Fortunately, he could still keep it under control.
But he needed to take medication every day, drinking these medicines packaged as fine liquor.
Huojin: "Butler, tell me, does my daughter dislike me a little? I feel like it's been ages since I last saw her smile at me."
Butler: "...My apologies, Master. I do not understand matters of this sort."
Huojin: "Tell me even if you don't understand. Give me a reason right now!"
Butler paused, seemingly thinking. A dozen or so seconds later, he replied, "Master, according to my calculations, this may be due to loneliness."
Huojin: "Loneliness? I was with her the whole time she was growing up. How could she possibly be lonely!?"
Butler said nothing and merely looked down. Huojin followed his gaze and saw Nicole and the other three heading off to give their statements, laughing and fooling around.
She could even make out Nicole's faint, intermittent smiles. They were not smiles of a successful scheme or of earning Denny, but genuine smiles for his companions.
Huojin saw it clearly. It was much like his early days adventuring with his companions, back when his flesh was still whole...
Huojin remained silent, his current thoughts unknown.
Then Butler reported another development. "Master, we have received an envelope addressed to the base."
Huojin: "...What sort of letter?"
Butler: "A letter of challenge from the Hoshimi family. The sender is the Hoshimi family candidate who holds the title of Void Hunter, 'Hoshimi Miyabi.'"