At five-thirty in the afternoon, Nicole led the team into Sea Overlord Buffet.
By eight-thirty that evening, Nicole led the team back out of Sea Overlord—leaning against the walls for support, their stomachs stuffed to the brim.
Even Sol, after running around all day, couldn't resist eating a little more than usual until his stomach felt swollen.
They all piled into the Cunning Hares' old jalopy, with Billy Kid—whose stomach couldn't be stuffed—behind the wheel.
Belle and Wise took their own car back to the video rental shop on Sixth Street.
"Mackerel is so delicious."
Nekomata patted her round belly, as though five months pregnant, looking utterly satisfied.
She had eaten eight whole premium-grade mackerel in one go. For a Cat Thiren, nothing could be more fulfilling.
"Tasty, huh? From now on, as long as you earn two million Denny in profit for the Cunning Hares, I'll bring you back here again."
Nicole leaned against the seat back, struggling to digest.
Nekomata began counting on her fingers. "Sea Overlord Buffet costs twenty thousand Denny per person. To eat again, I need to create two million in profit. My labor share is only one percent…"
By that calculation, she really was like a slave.
She had wronged everyone in the Cunning Hares, so maybe this was her due punishment.
But the thought of only getting one percent return made her lose heart.
That feast might have been her last mackerel buffet. From now on, she'd waste away into a scrawny little cat… meow.
"Don't lose hope. As long as you work sixteen hours a day, it won't be long before you can have another luxury buffet."
Nicole encouraged her.
"Sixteen hours!?"
Nekomata froze as if struck by lightning. Her tail, which had been happily swishing after all that mackerel, went completely stiff.
Tail: This is outrageous!
Sixteen hours a day? She'd turn into dried cat jerky!
Billy shook his head from the driver's seat. "Boss Nicole, we don't even have enough commissions. Even if she works sixteen hours a day, it won't be enough."
Nicole shot him a glare. "We just got huge exposure on TV. There'll definitely be commissions flowing in nonstop!"
After all, they'd gotten a huge spotlight from the Canvas Street incident. Surely people's impression of the Cunning Hares would change for the better.
Time passed quickly amid their chatter, and soon the car pulled up in front of the Cunning Hares' base.
Billy got out to open the door for the three girls in the back—Nicole, Anby, and Nekomata all struggled out, holding their stuffed bellies.
In the front passenger seat, Sol got out leisurely and stretched.
Seeing this scene, a passing old man shook his head. "Society's going downhill, downhill I tell you. Look at these young folks nowadays—messing around until they get three girls pregnant, and even keeping a robot as a slave."
"…"
The corner of Sol's mouth twitched. He stared at the old man expressionlessly.
Until his lawyer arrived, he wasn't saying a single word.
He hadn't touched anyone yet. This was pure slander!
Anby glanced down at her belly in confusion. "I only ate six burgers… am I going to have a baby?"
"Hey, old man, we just overate at a buffet!" Nicole finally lost her temper, yelling at him. "How dare you ruin our reputation—pay me emotional damages!"
"Ha… ha…" The old man gave two awkward laughs, covered his face, and fled.
"Hmph!"
Nicole huffed coldly, then led everyone back into the Cunning Hares' base.
She committed the old man's face to memory—he'd never receive Cunning Hares service again.
The group flopped down on the sofa to digest while watching TV.
At the moment, the TV was replaying the coverage of the Vision Corporation case.
"It's been three or four hours since the live broadcast, yet news outlets are still analyzing it from every angle. The impact must be greater than expected."
Nicole raised her brows, a bit surprised.
They had left Canvas Street ages ago, yet the media was still talking about it nonstop. Some channels looked ready to broadcast all night.
The accident was indeed serious, but not so serious as to cause this frenzy.
"Probably someone's stirring things up behind the scenes. Belobog Heavy Industries? Bringer?"
Sol ventured a guess.
Vision Corporation had just won the contract through shady bidding, beating Belobog Heavy Industries. It was only natural that Belobog would now seize the chance to kick them while they were down.
And for Bringer, this case was a major achievement toward promotion. Of course he would hype it up.
"Must be them." Nicole nodded in agreement, then brightened. "That's perfect! It means the Cunning Hares' publicity will be even better too!"
"Anby, Billy, and you too, Nekomata—you should all learn from Sol. Bring more Denny and more fame to the Cunning Hares!"
"I'll work hard, Nicole." Anby said seriously.
"Leave it to me, Boss Nicole!" Billy thumped his chest with confidence.
"I'll atone properly too."
Nekomata's eyes gleamed with determination.
"Good."
Nicole was very pleased with everyone's attitude.
"Alright, it's been a long day. Watch a little more TV if you like, then get some rest."
Most of what was on TV was just replays and analysis of the earlier incident. Watching it a bit longer was like admiring their own achievements, but too much would get boring.
The group began to rise, each preparing to head to their rooms.
"Wait, Boss Nicole!" Nekomata quickly stopped her. "Where do I sleep tonight?"
She had observed that the Cunning Hares' base only had three bedrooms.
Nicole, Billy, and Anby each had one. That left her nowhere to sleep.
Sol had his own rented place next door.
"Hm?"
Nicole blinked.
That was indeed a problem. Nekomata was a girl—she couldn't just sleep on the sofa like Sol did. That would be awkward.
"She can stay at my place." Sol smiled. "I've got plenty of space, two spare rooms."
"Meow?"
Nekomata froze, her expression reluctant.
She didn't want to live with a man—especially one who liked touching her ears.
She could share a room with Nicole instead. Those big cushions of conscience would be so comfy to sleep against.
"Good idea. Nekomata, go stay at Sol's." Nicole yawned, agreeing with Sol's plan. "Oh, and don't try sneaking into Sol's room at night. He's scary when he's mad."
Sol's place was spacious, and it saved them from renting another room. Perfect.
And although Sol seemed like a flirt, he wasn't the type to force himself on anyone—unless the opportunity literally fell into his lap.
Besides, Nekomata was a big Cat Thiren. It wasn't like she couldn't scream or run away.
"…"
Nekomata wanted to complain.
Who's sneaking into whose room?!
She wasn't going to night-raid Sol—she was a good kitty!
But since the decision was made, she had no choice.
So, warily, Nekomata followed Sol next door and moved into a spare bedroom.
Before bed, she whispered nervously, "Cat Thiren are very alert while sleeping. Don't you dare try anything."
She was really afraid Sol might barge in at night and use her as a cat-shaped pillow to cuddle.
"Heh."
Sol picked up Baal, turned, and left.
With Baal in his arms, he had no need for anything else.
Heh.
Baal glanced back at Nekomata, silently laughing.
She would have loved to sleep with Sol alone—but alas, her charm was far too strong. The little cat had no chance.
For a moment, Nekomata felt… humiliated.