[Zenless Zone Zero] Honeymoon Period

[AndrewJTalon]

The acrid smell of smoke still clung to Nicole Demara's clothes as she hauled the last duffel bag through the door of Random Play. Behind her, Anby Demara trudged in silently, her sword strapped to her back and a small backpack slung over one shoulder. Billy Kidd followed with exaggerated flair, posing dramatically with his dual revolvers holstered at his sides, while Nekomata—Nekomiya Mana—darted in last, her cat ears twitching at every sound on Sixth Street.

It had been a disaster. A simple Hollow commission gone wrong—some Ethereal had gone berserk near their headquarters, and the ensuing explosion had turned the Cunning Hares' modest office-apartment into a charred shell. Repairs would take weeks, maybe months, given how broke they usually were. Nicole, ever the quick thinker, had sweet-talked her way into crashing at Random Play. After all, Phaethon—or rather, Wise and Belle—owed them for all those joint commissions. Right?

Wise stood behind the counter with a resigned expression. Belle, his energetic sister,, bounced on her heels beside him.

"You sure about this?" Wise asked for the third time that afternoon. "We have the upstairs living quarters, but it's not exactly spacious. And with four extra people..."

Nicole flashed her trademark grin, the one that usually preceded a negotiation where she came out on top (or she ran away). Her pink hair was tied back in a ponytail from its usual voluminous style, and her outfit—cropped jacket, shorts, and thigh-highs—was somehow pristine despite the fire.

"Come on, Wise! We're practically family after all those Hollow dives. Plus, we'll help out around the store. Rent tapes, recommend classics... it'll be fun!"

Belle's eyes lit up. "Yes! More people means more movie nights! And Anby can help me organize the action section—Billy's perfect for promoting the Starlight Knights series!"

Billy struck another pose. "Leave it to me! I'll be the ultimate hype man! Robot! Hype ROBOT MAN! Which, incidentally, is another series I love!" He turned to the store section with the Starlight Knights and bowed. "But not as much as you, Starlight Knights! I swear!"

Anby nodded stoically. "Affirmative. I will assist with inventory."

Nekomata flicked her tail. "As long as there's fish in the fridge, I'm good~"

Wise sighed "Fine. But no destroying the place. We just got the HDD system calibrated."

"You'll barely even notice we're here!" Nicole giggled.

That was Day One.

By Day Two, Nicole had fully embraced her new role-For what reason, Wise had no idea.

He woke up to the smell of something... edible? Wise shuffled downstairs in his pajamas, expecting Belle to be experimenting in the kitchen again. Instead, he found Nicole at the stove, humming a tune while flipping what looked like pancakes. She wore one of Belle's aprons—pink and frilly, with a white shirt and normal jeans—but she pulled it off with confidence.

"Morning, hubby~" Nicole chirped, turning with a stack of pancakes in hand. Syrup drizzled perfectly, and there were even fresh berries on top. "Breakfast is served! I figured you'd need a good meal before opening the store."

Wise froze in the doorway. "Hubby? What—"

Nicole sauntered over, plating the food and setting it at the small table in the staff room. "Oh, come on. We're living together now. Might as well make it official in spirit. Eat up! I slaved over this."

The pancakes were surprisingly good—fluffy, not burned, with just the right sweetness. Wise ate mechanically, perturbed by how domestic this felt. Nicole sat across from him, chin in hands, watching him with a mischievous sparkle in her green eyes.

Belle poked her head in, grinning ear to ear. "Ooh, Nicole's cooking? You're the best! Wise, isn't this nice? Finally, someone taking care of us for a change."

Wise shot his sister a look. "Belle..."

"What? You've been single forever. Nicole's cute, flirty, and she makes decent food. Play along!"

Upstairs, the others were settling in. Anby had claimed a corner for meditation and sword maintenance, Billy had turned part of the living room into a "Starlight Knights shrine" with posters he'd somehow salvaged, and Nekomata was napping on the couch, tail dangling.

Nicole didn't stop at cooking.

By afternoon, she was "doing chores." She attacked the dusty shelves of Random Play with a feather duster, but in her enthusiasm, she knocked over a stack of vintage tapes. "Oops! Hehe, minor casualty." Then she tried reorganizing the genres—putting horror next to romance because "they both get your heart racing!"

Wise had to spend an hour fixing it.

But the affection... that was the real perturbation.

Every time Wise passed by, Nicole would link arms with him. "Need help with that inventory, dear?"

She'd lean in close while recommending tapes to customers, whispering,

"Doesn't this one remind you of us? Adventurous couple fighting monsters~"

She'd ruffle his hair when he was focused on the HDD system.

"You're so serious all the time. Relax, Wise! Your 'wife' is here to pamper you."

Wise's face would turn varying shades of red. "Nicole, we're not— This is temporary— Stop calling me that!"

But Nicole just laughed, bold and unapologetic.

"Temporary? Who knows~ Maybe I'll never leave."

Still... Wise supposed it wasn't all bad, despite the outrageous flirting. Snuggling with Nicole on the couch as they enjoyed movie marathons, or scolded Billy, or cooked for Anby or even played with Nekomata was great.

But nothing good lasts without complications in New Eridu.

It was a rainy afternoon, two weeks into their stay. The store was quiet, customers scarce. Wise was in the back room calibrating the Hollow Deep Dive system. Belle was helping a regular rent some old classics. Nicole was attempting to bake cookies—chocolate chip, "for my hardworking hubby."

Anby and Billy were sparring lightly in the upstairs space (carefully, no damage). Nekomata was scouting the street for "shiny opportunities."

The door chimed aggressively.

A burly man in a cheap suit stormed in, flanked by two goons. Rain dripped from his coat. He slammed a folder on the counter.

"Nicole Demara! Cunning Hares! Your debts are overdue! 500,000 Dennies, plus interest! Pay up, or we start collecting... collateral."

Belle's eyes widened. "Uh, sir? This is a video store-"

The man ignored her, bellowing. "Demara! Get out here!"

Nicole emerged from the kitchen, flour on her cheeks, apron still on. She wiped her hands, tilting her head innocently.

"Excuse me? Who are you looking for?"

The collector snarled. "Don't play games! Nicole Demara, leader of the Cunning Hares. You owe Big Tony big time—for that botched commission last month. Fire damage to your place? That's karma!"

Nicole blinked, wide-eyed. Then she placed a hand on her chest, feigning shock. "Nicole Demara? I'm sorry, sir, you've got the wrong person. My name is Nicole Rana. Rana! I've never heard of this... Demara woman. Sounds shady."

The collector faltered. "What? Pink hair, bossy attitude, runs with a sword girl, a robot cowboy, and a cat thief? That's you!"

Nicole laughed lightly, stepping closer with that cunning smile. "Sir, pink hair is trendy these days. And my friends? Anby's my cousin, visiting. Billy's an actor—big Starlight Knights fan. Nekomata? She's... a cosplayer. We're just houseguests here at Random Play. Helping with the store while our apartment gets renovated. Right, Belle?"

Belle, catching on instantly, nodded vigorously. "Yep! Nicole is my sister-in-law! She's part of the family, along with everyone else!"

Wise emerged from the back, sensing trouble. "What's going on?"

The collector pointed. "This your wife? She looks exactly like—"

Nicole looped her arm through Wise's possessively. "Hubby~ Tell this man he's mistaken. I've been here taking care of you, haven't I?"

Wise stared, brain short-circuiting. "Uh..."

Billy made a praying motion in his peripheral vision. Anby did the same, but with her usual deadpan expression. Nekomata looked cute and desperate, her eyes wide and filled with tears. Nicole elbowed him.

"Y-Yes... She's my wife and this is my family and this is a private residence," Wise managed. The collector glared.

"You really expect me to believe that?! This is clearly Nicole Demara! Everyone knows-!"

"And everyone knows this is the home of Wise and Belle, special agents to the mayor, disciples of Yunkai Summit," Nicole added, "And various other titles that mean the very small time debt collector should leave, yes?"

The debt collector growled, muttered under his breath... But turned and left, his goons trailing behind him. The door shut. Wise turned a glare at the very contrite Nicole.

"Explain. Now."

She took a deep breath.

"The debt collectors are after us, yes, but they would be going after the orphanage on Fourth Street otherwise."

"Orphanage?" Belle asked. Nicole nodded.

"The one the Cunning Hares have been supporting for years. Someone broke in two months ago. Stole everything: donations, equipment, even the kids' savings jars. Insurance denied the claim—said it was 'insufficient security measures.'"

Her voice softened.

"We gave them every last Denny we had. Everything. That's why the accounts are empty. Then the fire happened a week later—Thanks Ethereal bastard! Lost our home, our office, most of our gear. Worst timing imaginable."

She met Wise's eyes, earnest now, none of the usual bravado.

"We weren't scamming anyone. We're just… broke. Hiding out here until we can scrape together enough commissions to start paying people back. Including you two, for all the food and space and… everything."

Belle's excitement deflated into sympathy. "Nicole…"

Nicole managed a small, tired smile. "We'll work it off. Every Denny. Promise."

Wise sighed. Billy threw himself at Wise and Belle's feet.

"You know our hearts, Starlight buddies! It's all true, honest!"

"Indeed," Anby said with a nod.

"Also Nicole was desperate to play housewife for you, nyah," Nekomata smirked. Nicole's cheeks went bright red.

"Nekomata!"

"What?"

Wise went bright red. Belle sighed and shook her head.

"We've... Been through a lot together, you know," she said.

"I know," Wise muttered. He sighed and hugged Nicole. "We'll help you get back on your feet, promise. I mean... What's one more debt?"

Nicole beamed, and kissed him deeply. Wise's eyes went wide as dinner plates as his face went red.

"Mwah~! You're the best~," Nicole beamed, holding him tight. He held her back tight too. Sue him.

- - -

Later that evening, Wise had managed to slip away from dinner early to the bathroom. He sighed happily as he started up the water, and began to disrobe, enjoying the moisture. He was down to his boxers... When the door opened again. He slowly turned around, already knowing what he would see.

"Nicole...!"

Nicole strolled in like she owned the place, pink hair loose and damp from the humidity, wearing absolutely nothing but a fluffy white towel knotted loosely at her chest. Steam curled around her bare legs as she shut the door behind her with a deliberate click.

"Evening, hubby~" she sang, voice low and teasing. "Long day, huh? Thought you could use some help relaxing."

"Nicole—! What are you—get out!"

She ignored him completely, dropping her phone on the counter and stepping closer, towel clinging precariously. "Don't be shy. I'm great at washing backs. Very thorough."

Wise scrambled backwards, his thighs hitting the tub. He clutched the edge like a lifeline. "This is not happening. Out. Now."

Nicole grinned, undeterred, and reached for the knot of her towel. "Come on, Wise. We're practically married at this point. I've been cooking for you, cleaning (sort of), snuggling you on the couch… this is just the next logical step."

"No it is not!" He tried to stand, but she reached out a hand to press against his chest. "Nicole, I swear-!"

She laughed and lunged forward playfully, trying to pin his shoulders back against the tub wall. "Hold still! I'm being considerate here!"

In his panic, Wise twisted away. Nicole overbalanced, foot slipping on the wet tile. With a startled yelp, she pitched forward—towel flying—and landed squarely on top of him in the tub. Water exploded everywhere, drenching the floor, the walls, even the ceiling light.

For one frozen second they were chest-to-chest, her wet hair plastered to both their faces, her green eyes wide with surprise. Wise's brain blue-screened.

Then the door burst open again.

Billy stood there, dual revolvers half-drawn out of pure reflex. "Boss lady? Wise? You okay? I heard a—WHOA!"

He took one look at the scene—Nicole straddling Wise in the overflowing tub, both of them soaked and underdressed... and let out the highest-pitched robotic yelp imaginable. "MY OPTICS! MY INNOCENT OPTICS!"

Anby appeared behind him, sword drawn, expression blank. She assessed the situation in 0.2 seconds.

"I am scarred for life," she deadpanned, "seeing my parental figures mid-coitus."

Nekomata's head popped in upside-down from the hallway ceiling vent (because of course she was in the vents). She took one look and immediately started cackling, tail thrashing with glee. "Meow-hahaha! Best show on Sixth Street!"

Belle, drawn by the commotion, squeezed past them all and clapped both hands over her mouth—though her eyes were sparkling with absolute delight.

"Oh my god," she squealed, barely containing her excitement. "I'm gonna be an aunt! I'm expecting twin nieces and/or nephews to spoil rotten! I already have names picked out-! I've gotta call Lighter!"

"Get out!" Wise shouted.

"What?! You can have Nicole over but I can't have Lighter-?"

"OUT!"