Because his efforts last night had been fruitless, Wise could only plan to try again tonight. But before that, he needed to buy so groceries.
There was no other way. Originally, only he and Belle lived at ho, with others occasionally dropping by for als. Now, however, there were two additional permanent residents, which ant two extra portions to prepare.
Although the Ethereal sisters didn't actually need to eat and only required occasional replenishnt of Ether energy, if they could enjoy food and it tasted good, why wouldn't they?
With that in mind, Wise arrived at the 141 convenience store. Just as he was about to step inside, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"Oh? Isn't this the handso store manager? Are you here to shop as well?"
The voice was distinctive enough that Wise imdiately recognized it. He turned around, and as expected, it was the woman who had co to borrow a videotape last night.
"You're last night's custor."
"Hmm, to be precise, the custor who borrowed a videotape last night," Miss Jane corrected with a smile.
Her tail, which had been wrapped around her thigh, loosened and began to sway gently behind her.
"My apologies. I misspoke."
"It's alright. I feel quite honored to be rembered by a handso store manager like you. My na is Jane. And you?"
"My na is Wise. Also, Miss Jane, you left in a hurry last night and didn't leave any contact information. If possible, could we add each other on Knock Knock?"
Jane paused for a brief mont before a playful smile ford on her lips.
"Oh? So you wanted my contact information? You could've just said so. After all, you're my type."
She took out her phone with a light laugh. Wise originally intended to explain himself, but after a mont's thought, his response changed.
"Is that so? To be honest, I'm also quite fond of charming won like you, Miss Jane."
Jane clearly hadn't expected that answer, but she remained composed. Without missing a beat, she smoothly shifted the conversation away from her failed tease.
After exchanging contact information, she didn't stay long. She still had supplies to purchase, and this brief interaction was nothing more than a small distraction from her tasks.
As Wise watched her figure disappear into the distance, a trace of curiosity surfaced in his mind.
'What kind of environnt could shape soone like her, whose inner self differs so much from her outward deanor?'
Still, it was just curiosity. Unless things get more involved, it's better to leave it alone.
Several days passed. In that ti, the sisters and Wise kept searching the building.
They'd searched through nearly every corner by now, but the amulet was nowhere to be found. The sisters' confidence was starting to waver.
The only area left unchecked was the one occupied by the illegal organization. The three decided to search it one last ti tonight. If they still found nothing, they would have no choice but to give up.
"Brother, Public Security sent a notice. Our business license renewal has been approved, and that old lady's citizen ID has been processed as well."
Belle walked into the first-floor room while looking at her phone. Just then, she saw Nicole suddenly stand up, grabbing her collar with one hand while covering her mouth with the other, coughing lightly.
"Huh? Nicole, what's wrong?" Belle asked, a hint of amusent hidden beneath her feigned concern.
Nicole forced down her cough and swallowed.
"N-nothing... I just choked while eating..."
Nicole's face was slightly flushed from holding her breath. It seed that, just as she claid, she had choked while drinking 'milk'.
At that mont, her gaze carried a faint trace of resentnt.
It was unclear whether it ca from the fact that their previous agreent had already been fulfilled, and this step only counted as half the repaynt, leaving her with a sense of regret... or because the next part of the repaynt had been interrupted.
Either way, Nicole didn't linger. She shot Belle an irritated glare, straightened out her clothes, and left with a parting, "I'll co back another day."
Wise didn't respond, but Belle already knew exactly what to do.
"Hmm, Brother, after we pick up the things from Public Security later, can we go shopping?"
With her deliberately sweet tone, how could Wise possibly refuse? He pulled her into his arms, drawing her closer.
"Oh, right. I wonder how that young lady who borrowed 'Porter Mountain' is doing. Don't you have her contact information, Brother? Why not ask her?" Belle suddenly added.
She had discovered it by accident while noticing her brother ssaging soone. At first, she thought it was Anby or Nekomata, but after a closer look, she realized it was an unfamiliar contact.
Only after asking did she learn it was that cool young woman.
Wise gently patted Belle's head, with no intention of sending a ssage. After all, Jane had ntioned that her phone often had to be turned off during work.
'I'll remind N.18 to pay extra attention while watching the store today.'
anwhile, elsewhere, within a Hollow area of the Ballet Twins...
"Achoo... Hmm, it feels like soone's thinking about . Who could it be?"
For so reason, Wise's figure surfaced in Jane's mind. Perhaps it was because he was the only one who might be thinking of her at the mont.
Although they had only t a few tis and exchanged occasional ssages, his bold and rather interesting way of speaking had genuinely caught her attention.
As she was lost in thought, the guard stationed at the entrance hurried over.
"Oh, Sister Jane, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"
"...So it's you. That's a bit disappointing. And what you're actually missing is this, right?" Jane replied, pulling out a videotape, her expression indifferent.
The subordinate didn't mind her tone at all; his eyes locked onto the tape.
"Oh, oh, oh! There it is! The HD version of 'Porter Mountain,' plus the special edition with 20 extra seconds of footage! I'm watching this right now!"
Seeing how excited he was, Jane mischievously began to describe its general content.
Instantly, his expression froze. The smile, however, shifted onto Jane's face.
"What's wrong? Why did you suddenly go quiet? Are you scared?"
Hearing that, the man trembled slightly, yet still forced himself to respond, clinging to his pride.
"...Of course not. I just think people should stay focused during work... And I suddenly rembered a few things from the past couple of days..."
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