Suspicions and Assurance
While the factions discuss the party preparations, we cut to Random Play. We see Wise getting off the HDD system before breathing in. This commission by Victorian Housekeeping was harsh, but he managed to pull through and help them out.
Belle: Hey, big bro, are you finished with the commission?
Wise: Oh, hey, Belle. Yeah, we finished a couple of minutes ago. Lycaon said they’d first report their success to their boss before coming over and dropping Eous back to us.
Belle: Ok then. Also, do you think Nicole or the others are planning something?
Wise: What makes you ask that?
Belle: Well, I tried to text her today, but I haven’t gotten a report back from her, and it's the same with Billy. I then tried to text the Sons of Calydon, but none responded. I finally tried our group chat with the rest of the factions. Guess what? The same thing happened: no response.
Wise: Huh, that is weird. I tried to text Zhu Yuan before the commission, but she didn’t respond. They all might be up to something or just be busy with their jobs.
Belle: Oh~~ Zhu, you say. What’s the deal, you wanted to go out with her~~? (Belle says in a flirty tone to tease her brother)
Wise: Knock it off, Belle. It’s not because of that. I just wanted to check on her, you know. After our reveal of being proxies was revealed to her, I wanted to check on her.
Belle: Didn’t you meet with her a few days after the incident?
Wise: I did. I tried to talk to her, but she looked sad and told me she was busy with work. So, she left before I could say anything to her.
Belle: Oh, brother. You might be skilled with your proxy work but are oblivious about love~~.
Wise: What’s that supposed to mean?
Before Belle could tell/tease Wise more, they heard the door of their store open. They go outside their backroom and see that the members of Victorian Housekeeping arrived carrying Eous with them. Belle greets them before grabbing Eous and spinning him around before leaving him on the floor. Wise also comes to welcome the members as well.
Lycaon: Good evening, Proxies. Thank you for assisting us on this abrupt commission. We hope you didn’t mind the sudden surprise of this work.
Rina: Good evening as well. Thank you for your kindness in helping out. We were able to clear this commission so fast that our boss granted us liberty for the rest of the day.
Corrin: He-Hey the-the-there pro-proxies.
Ellen: Sup.
Belle: Hey all. Thank you for coming by and dropping Eous; I hope you didn’t mind.
Wise: Hello there. Nah, the commission was fine. It was nice to go back to this after the events that happened a couple of weeks ago. It was refreshing, to say the least, so don’t worry, this wasn’t so difficult.
Lycaon: Speaking of that incident, are you two alright? I know it’s been hard to adjust after witnessing such big reveals and events happen in a day, but I want to check in on you all. Miss Nicole told us you both looked troubled, so I want to know if anything bothers you.
Belle & Wise: They look at each other. (Of course, she would say something. She looks out for us even if she doesn’t want to admit it.)
Belle: Well, thank you for asking, but we’re fine, well, at least for me, as Wise is having some trouble in paradise.
Wise: Eh- B-Belle!
Rina: Oh~ and who is the person who is causing our dear Wise trouble?
Wise: It’s nothing. Belle here is just messing with me for the fun of it.
Lycaon: Proxy, if something bothers you, I’m here to listen to you. Same for you, Belle.
Belle: How about you both go to the backroom and discuss it while the girls and I get some food?
Before Wise could talk to his sister, Bell grabbed the arm of a sleeping Ellen and headed out the door, with Corrin and Rina following behind the pair. Now, Wise and Lycaon are the only ones in the store.
Wise: Well, I guess it’s just the two of us. Let’s go to the backroom to talk about it.
Lycaon: With pleasure, proxy.
In the backroom
Lycaon: Alright then, we have at most 5 minutes before they arrive back with the food. So now, Proxy, can you tell me about this issue?
Wise: Well then. Do you know of Zhu Yuan?
Lycaon: You mean that famous PUBSEC officer? Yes, I do know of her. Is she causing you some trouble?
Wise: No, it’s not because of that. (Inhaling) You know how it was during the chaos with Bringer and Section 6, right? The day of the elections, and how were they patrolling around the city?
Lycaon: Yes, I do remember that day.
Wise: When PUBSEC arrived at our store, Fairy was down and couldn’t warn us beforehand. To make matters worse, they were about to come in after questioning Belle, and it would have been lights out for us. But, before they could discover us, Qingyi and Zhu Yuan arrived, diminishing the situation.
Lycaon: But how was that a bad thing? Didn’t they save you and your sister from going to jail? I would take it as a blessing cause without them, we would have failed that day, and New Eridu would have been destroyed.
Wise: That’s the main issue. While Qingyi had already had a hunch we were proxies, Zhu Yuan had almost no idea. They made a bet about us being proxies, and while Qingyi already knew, Zhu Yuan was confident we weren’t.
Lycaon: I see, continue, please.
Wise: After we revealed our secret to Zhu, she looked sad or disappointed. After I explained our situation to her, she was more assured but still looked unhappy. Even after the mess was over, I tried to contact her, but she turned silent, and even when I went to visit her at her office, she couldn’t see me in the eye and left.
Lycaon: Thank you for sharing this, Wise. I can see what the issue is now. From what I gathered here, it seems like the young girl, Zhu Yuan, had a lot of trust in you that when the secret came out, she felt betrayed because she might have believed that your friendship was nothing more than gains for a situation like that.
Wise: But it’s not like that. I never wanted to befriend her just for that. I didn’t even think of doing that to her, especially to someone like her. She is very special to me.
Lycaon: Listen, Wise, I may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to love or unique relationships, but I can see where your head is at. I know you may feel bad and want to solve this issue already, but that’ll be a hasty move that may cost you your secret. I think you should wait for her to calm down and then talk to her. Say everything you want to tell her and wait for her response.
Wise: Al-
Before Wise could finish saying what he wanted, the door swung as Belle and the others arrived with the food. They all sit around the couch and start eating their food, having talks, and other stuff. As the night finishes, the members of Victorian Housekeeping begin to say their farewells, but Ellen Joe decides to stay with the siblings.
Wise: Alright, girls, I’m going to sleep. You can watch a movie here but don’t stay up too late. Night.
Belle: Alright, night, bro.
Ellen: Night.
As Wise retreats to his room, Belle pops up a movie and plays it on the TV. While the movie is going on, Ellen notices that Belle has been spaced out.
Ellen: Hey Belle? Are you alright? You have been more spaced out than I have ever been.
Belle: Huh? Oh, it’s nothing, Ellen, don’t worry. I was just thinking of other movies that we could start selling.
Ellen: Ok then. (She says before falling asleep on Belle’s lap)
Belle: I’m sorry, I’m sorry Ellen. I want to tell you, but I can’t. I don’t want anyone carrying this burden. (she says as she is crying)
With the assurance and help of Lycaon, Wise may now have an answer for Zhu Yuan, but Belle also seems to have her struggles. Will she be able to confide her secrets or carry them herself?